Straight-talking Dickov left to regret missed opportunities

A SORRY series of fluffed chances dampened Athletic manager Paul Dickov’s hopes of arresting a mini-slump.

The 1-0 defeat at the Memorial Ground represented the third game running that the team have failed to find to score.

A goal against Dagenham from top scorer Dale Stephens — who hasn’t played since due to illness — was the last time Athletic found the net, four games and over five hours of football ago.

Plenty of good chances presented themselves against npower League One’s bottom team. None was better than Filipe Morais’ close-range strike which he ballooned over the bar, while newcomer Sam Mantom should have done better with a header from a Warren Feeney cross.

Such ifs and buts cut little ice with Dickov, though, who saw his team lose thanks to Rene Howe’s close-range strike after 73 minutes.

“Yet again, our old Achilles heel cost us,” said the Athletic boss. “Off the top of my head, we created five or six excellent chances and didn’t score. Then we switch off at the back and concede.

“We were clean through and big Conrad made a great save (through Morais in the second minute), Oumare (Tounkara) hit the post in the first half, we hit the post with a free-kick with Filipe putting the rebound over the bar, Sam Mantom had a free header in the box and Reuben (Reid) was clean through at the end.

“It isn’t good enough. That is three games without scoring now and in that time we have created enough chances to win five or six games.

“We have to take the chances when we create them, because we will create them.

“We are on at the boys to concentrate, for every minute of the game.

“That isn’t just for 90 minutes, but the full 95 or 96 minutes.

“We switched off and they scored.”

Mantom was the visitors’ stand-out player. The debutant, on loan from West Brom, was confident on the ball and took control of every set-piece, with his free-kick on 64 minutes hitting a post.

“Sam is an excellent player,” Dickov added. “We do our homework on players and know what we are getting.

“I don’t think he lost the ball once. Every time he had it, he kept it simple and then when we needed that bit of quality he provided it for us.

“Let’s give credit to Bristol Rovers and Dave Penney as well. They have been on a horrendous run but have picked up three points so that is good for them.”

For his part, Penney was relieved to get only Rovers’ second win in 19 league matches, and the former Athletic manager admitted it was a proud moment personally.

“It is nice to get three points and a clean sheet as well,” said Penney.

“It was a real end-to-end game on a heavy pitch and there were some tired players out there at the end.

“I try to keep it away from the players that it is my old club. It was never really mentioned in the build-up to the game other than the media asking questions.

“But it certainly makes it a bit sweeter when it is your old club and you get three points.”