Morais determined to end Latics’ goal famine

TRICKY forward Filipe Morais is on a mission to end Athletic’s goal drought.

Paul Dickov’s men go to Bournemouth tomorrow bidding to find the net for the first time since the 1-1 draw at home to Dagenham and Redbridge on February 5.

Morais is likely to partner Oumare Tounkara or Reuben Reid at Dean Court and believes Athletic are set to turn the corner.

“We are all trying so hard to get a goal,” he said. “I think we just have to keep plugging away and it will come.

“I thought I had done it at MK Dons, but their goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic save and the game ended 0-0.

“Maybe I am trying a bit too hard, but I am determined to help end the bad run in front of goal and get us back on track.

“There is no doubt about it, once the first one goes in it will give us all a big lift, and hopefully we can go on to score many more goals.”

The skilful 25-year-old sheepishly accepted his man-of-the-match prize after 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Peterborough.

“It is a bit embarrassing to receive a bottle of champagne in the sponsors’ lounge after such a bad performance, so I apologised to everyone who was present at the time,” he added.

“Myself and the rest of the team let the fans down.”

Tomorrow Morais will be reunited with former Chelsea team-mate Danny Hollins, who anchors the Cherries’ midfield.

But he insisted all pleasantries are to be put to one side for 90 minutes.

“Danny is a great lad and I am glad he is doing well in a good side, but we won’t be mates during the match,” said Morais.

“I am focused solely on helping get those three points which can hopefully move us up the table.

“I feel good at the moment. The confidence is there and the other lads are the same, we all just want to put things right.

“We are lining up a couple of wins in a row because we can still make the play-offs.

“This club had a terrible time last season. We have come a long way and in the summer everyone would have accepted ninth place with 13 games to go.

“We have to grind through this tough period, because we are still in a great position.”