Dickov wary of Pirates threat

THE FORM book counts for little when Athletic travel to face rock-bottom Bristol Rovers.

That is according to manager Paul Dickov, who has new loan signing Sam Mantom in his squad for a game in which he pits wits against predecessor Dave Penney.

Athletic are looking to respond positively to a disappointing loss in midweek against Carlisle, which signalled the end of a seven-match unbeaten run.

By contrast, Penney’s Rovers have lost four in a row and have picked up three points only once in their last 18 matches.

Recent fixtures against teams dwelling near the foot of the npower League One table have not gone entirely to plan, though, with Dickov keen to rectify that trend.

“We have played Walsall and Dagenham who have both been down near the bottom and we have taken a point off each of them,” said the Athletic boss.

“We know they are desperate to get results. Carlisle came here on the back of four defeats, so it is about what happens on the day.

“We know we are going to have to be up for it and we know we have to be better at retaining the ball than we were the other night.

“What we don’t want to do is go down there and give them chances. We have to eradicate mistakes, as always, get a solid team base and go from there.

“We must retain the ball up front. When we do that we are a much, much better team.”

As for Penney, Athletic’s new manager doesn’t see his previous employment being an issue for the 46-year-old.

“Dave won’t be getting sucked into the talk about it being his old club,” Dickov added.

“He will want to pick up a result. I saw them at Rochdale when they lost to two late goals in the final minutes, so they are getting there.

“We know Dave will have his team up for it and they have got a lot of good players there.”

Athletic hope that illness victim Dale Stephens will be ready to train today and Dickov admitted his absence has been felt.

“People have said Dale has not had the best of seasons,” he said.

“Sometimes, it is only when something isn’t there that people can see its value.”

Meanwhile, Mantom has signed for Athletic on a month’s loan from West Brom.

The midfielder, who turns 19 on Sunday, is a former member of the England under-17 squad and made his Baggies debut earlier this season in the Carling Cup.

He also played for a month at Athletic’s npower League One rivals Tranmere Rovers, turning out in two matches in npower League One.

Mantom could start in central midfield alongside Dean Furman at Memorial Park, a move which would enable Chris Taylor to revert to a wide or striking role.