Dickov backs Morais to be big hit

FILIPE MORAIS... the Athletic crowd-pleaser has taken up an option to remain at Boundary Park.

FILIPE Morais has been backed to come back a fitter, stronger and even better player next season.

The 25-year-old former Chelsea winger has taken up an option in his contract to spend the next 12 months at Boundary Park.

A previously nomadic star who has also turned out for MK Dons, Millwall, St Johnstone, Hibs and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Morais spoke last season of being immersed in an environment where he can “play with a smile on my face”.

And his appreciation of his manager’s allowance to express himself is reciprocated by Paul Dickov.

“When Filly gets a full pre-season under his belt, he will be a better player for it,” said Dickov of the player who was apparently drifting in the professional game until penning a short-term deal with Athletic in October.

“He offers us something different and will be an important player again.

“He is settled here and his attitude in training is fantastic.

“I think he realises that he lost his way in his career.

“But he has learned from his mistakes and his approach is fantastic.

“We believe he landed on our doorstep at just the right time, both for him and for us.

“He loves playing here and we think we can get the best out of someone who will go on to play at a higher level.”

Morais played 23 times last season, scoring three goals and regularly bamboozling full-backs with his ‘flip-flap’ trick, made famous by Ronaldinho.

Having secured the Lisbon-born crowd-pleaser, Dickov’s attentions now turn to the remaining players from 2010-11 who have been offered terms.

Captain Reuben Hazell, centre-back partner Jean-Yves Mvoto and left-back Paul Black are all out of contract at present, but Dickov is confident they will end up staying on at Boundary Park.

“I will have spoken to them all again by the end of the week,” he added. “I am hopeful they will all sign and have had no indication otherwise.”


Latics land Carlisle tie
ATHLETIC have been drawn to face Carlisle at home in the first round of the Carling Cup.

The test against the League One side, to be played on the week starting August 8, gives boss Paul Dickov a valuable chance to make progress in a knock-out competition for the first time.