Dickov baffled by poor show

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov was left nonplussed by the efforts of his trialists in the 2-0 defeat at Barrow on Saturday.

Three new faces featured in the first period and four after the break as the manager opted to field a different set of 11 players in each half.

But the far-from-magnificent seven failed to make an impact and are in serious danger of seeing their Boundary Park careers end before they have begun.

The club have decided to keep the identity of their trialists a secret this summer — a policy for which they will probably be grateful after such a dismal showing.

Former Athletic player Mike Pearson netted for the hosts before a David Mellor own goal.

Dickov said: “It was a fitness session, but we also wanted to have some quality on the ball and we didn’t have that.

“No one stood out. I’m disappointed. Whether it’s a pre-season game or whatever game it is, I want my players to play with a higher tempo than what they did here, and we’ve got a lot more quality than what we showed.”

Dickov warned his players to forget about featuring against Sheffield United in the npower League One opener on August 6 unless they buck up their ideas.

He added: “If they don’t want to show me a high tempo, then they won’t be playing in my first team."

There will be a bigger emphasis on competition for places if Athletic manage to conclude three deals they have in the pipeline.

Dickov wants to bring in a central defender to replace former captain Reuben Hazell, a midfield man to fill the gap vacated by Dale Stephens, and a striker to add a goal-scoring threat to a forward line which struggled last term.

The club revealed new arrivals are imminent as the Scot looks to shape his squad ahead of next month’s competitive action.

Athletic’s pre-season schedule takes them to AFC Mossley tomorrow (7.45pm kick-off).

The Evo-Stik League Division One North side are celebrating 100 years at Seel Park.

Dickov is again likely to use 22 players, including a number of trialists.