In love with Latics

Photo: Alan Howarth

BUZZING . . . Filipe Morais, in the thick of the action against Huddersfield Town, is enjoying life with Athletic.

Boss lets me play with freedom — Morais
FILIPE Morais can’t wait for the next game to come around.

After protracted talks stretching back to last year, Morais finally penned a permanent contract until the end of the season with Athletic in the build-up to the trip to Huddersfield Town.

High on confidence — and relishing the license he is given to express himself by manager Paul Dickov — the quick-footed winger went on to produce an excellent attacking display at the Galpharm Stadium to help Athletic to a valuable point away from home.

“We have been negotiating for long time, but thankfully it is done now and I can settle down,” said the Portugal-born 25-year-old.

“I have got the option for next year as well, hopefully in the Championship.

“It is good for the club and I am happy that it is sorted. We really want to kick on now.

“I love it here. The gaffer gives me confidence and lets me go out and do what I want to do.

“He lets me play with freedom and accepts that you are going to lose the ball sometimes if you are trying to beat players with tricks.

“It excites me and makes me buzz for a game. I can play with a smile on my face.”

Morais was surprised by Hudders-field’s approach on home soil and felt that Athletic created a handful of good opportunities which, on another day, would have produced a goal.

“I thought we would both try to play, but I didn’t think that they did, which was quite surprising,” he added.

“But we did the fundamentals right, which was pleasing.

“We got wider more in the second half, put in a few good balls and had our chances.

“We didn’t take them, unfortunately, but we got a good point at a hard place to come to.

“It shows our aspirations for this season that we are disappointed not to take three points.”

Morais will now aim to impress against Carlisle in the £2-entry game at Boundary Park tomorrow.

It is a fixture that Athletic will be targeting three points from in order to consolidate their play-off spot in npower League One.

“It will be a very hard game,” said Morais. “Carlisle have been in very good form at the turn of the year, so we have to be on our guard.”


CLASSICAL singer — and Athletic fan — Jon Christos will perform at Boundary Park tomorrow night before the Carlisle game.
The 34-year-old tenor was the first artist to perform at the new Wembley Stadium and he has also sung at the Millennium Stadium, Twickenham, Old Trafford, City of Manchester Stadium and Reebok Stadium as well as at concert venues worldwide.

Christos will be accompanied by soprano Jenny Williams in a duet of Nessun Dorma, the operatic theme music synonymous with the World Cup of Italia ‘90.

The pair will also perform before the live televised home game against Tranmere on Monday, March 28.