Dickov backs Latics fitness

GETTING SHIRTY . . . Athletic boss Paul Dickov signs an Athletic top for Todd Mowers.

A PUNISHING schedule of matches will test the mettle of every side in npower League One come the first month of next year.

Recent postponements and rearranged games have left Athletic with eight matches to play in January.

Other clubs are in the same boat as the winter wipe-out continues to bite.

And though fitness levels are bound to come under scrutiny given such a schedule, Athletic boss Paul Dickov has no worries at all that his squad will be up to the challenge.

"From the start of January to February 5 next year, we have got 10 games," said Dickov, who has trained his team in full preparation for the match against Carlisle on Boxing Day.

"Huddersfield have got the same number of matches as us and every other club has a minimum of eight or nine.

"Everyone is in the same boat. But I believe the squad we have here will be fit enough to deal with it.

"They are young enough and enthusiastic enough.

“We believe we are one of, if not the, fittest teams in the league when we are at it.

"Playing games is what football is all about and the games will certainly come thick and fast in the next couple of months."

Given that Athletic have not had a game since the derby draw at Rochdale on Saturday, November 27, it would be easy for frustration to set in among the squad.

But Dickov said the attitude of his players has remained spot-on.

"This group of lads are fantastic," he added. "They come in every day and give me everything they have got, working ever so hard.

"They want to learn and they are a joy to work with.

"I have been there as a player myself when you are not playing games and you can get a bit down about it. But their attitude is unbelievable.

"We have been lucky and Paul Butler (head of sports science) knows his stuff.

"We try to make sure the boys get as much football in them as we can, but we have got to look after them as well.

"If anything, the one big thing we have got out of this situation is a fully-fit squad."

That means midfielder Ritchie Jones, who missed the Rochdale game with hamstring and groin problems, is back in contention.




Fixtures (3pm unless stated).



Boxing Day: Charlton v Southampton (1pm); Dag & Red v Brighton (1pm); Leyton Orient v MK Dons (1pm); Bournemouth v Plymouth; Bristol Rovers v Walsall; Exeter v Swindon; Huddersfield v Hartlepool; Notts County v Rochdale; Athletic v Carlisle; Peterborough v Colchester; Yeovil v Brentford.

Tuesday, December 28: Brentford v Tranmere; Carlisle v Exeter; Colchester v Athletic; Hartlepool v Leyton Orient; MK Dons v Bournemouth; Plymouth v Notts County; Rochdale v Bristol Rovers; Sheff Wed v Yeovil; Southampton v Huddersfield; Swindon v Peterborough; Walsall v Dag & Red.




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