Dickov seeks big response
Reporter: Chris Lynham
Date published: 12 July 2011
ALEX CISAK. . . back in action at Seel Park tonight.
ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov will shuffle his pack again tonight when he takes his side to Mossley for the second pre-season game of the summer (7.45pm kick-off).
The Scot is looking for a reaction to the limp 2-0 loss at Barrow, and is planning to use 22 players against the Evo-Stik League Division One North outfit.
Goalkeeper Alex Cisak, who completed 45 minutes in the first friendly, will be involved at Seel Park, as will at least some of the seven trialists who are badly in need of an eye-catching display after failing to impress Dickov and his coaching staff last time out.
Chief executive Alan Hardy said: “Paul intends to use two different sets of 11 players tonight, just as he did at Barrow.
“Some of the trialists who featured in that game will play again, although I am not sure how many.
“It is also a chance for Alex Cisak to get more game time.”
Paul Black and Filipe Morais, who suffered injuries towards the end of last season, are pushing for a return to the first team picture in a bid to build their fitness in time for the npower League One curtain-raiser against Sheffield United on August 6.
Mossley, who tonight celebrate 100 years at Seel Park, welcome back the man many fans consider to be one of their all-time greats — Leo Skeete — as guest of honour.
In the mid-to-late 1970s, the 6ft 3in hitman plundered 174 goals in 350 games for the Lilywhites, second only to his former team-mate Davey Moore in the list of the club’s all-time goalscorers.
The 76/77 campaign saw Skeete break Mossley’s post-war record when he netted 45 times in just 60 appearances.
His partnership with Moore yielded an incredible 77 goals in a memorable season which saw Howard Wilkinson take over as player-manager.
Skeete also skippered the Mossley side which suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat to Dagenham at Wembley in the FA Trophy final in 1980.
Injury–plagued defender Jonathan Woodgate has penned a one–year contract at Stoke after his deal at Tottenham expired.
