We didn’t do basics – boss

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov bemoaned the unhappy ending to his ‘tale of two centre-backs’ on the opening day of the season.

Zander Diamond shone on his debut and fellow defender Jean-Yves Mvoto was also coping admirably with the threat posed by Sheffield United’s strikers – including ex-Athletic favourite Chris Porter – until the big French star lost the run of Harry McGuire three minutes into the second period.

The 18-year-old prospect rose freely to head in Stephen Quinn’s left-wing corner.

The goal seemed to affect Mvoto badly and he came close to a calamitous own goal before the three points were sealed for the visitors thanks to Richard Cresswell’s close-range finish.

After Athletic stayed with Danny Wilson’s men in the first half, arguably heading into the break in the ascendancy, the sudden capitulation didn’t sit well with Dickov.

“Zander was excellent,” said Dickov. “When their player who Jean was picking up scored the header, Jean’s head went for 10 minutes afterwards because he was so disappointed with himself.

“It is gone. You can’t affect it and you have to make sure you keep trying to do the right things.

“The most disappointing thing is if we had done the basic things for 90 minutes we would have got something from the game.”

Dickov was unhappy with the original awarding of the corner leading to the first goal by referee Darren Drysdale, who sent off Filipe Morais in the 1-1 home draw with Walsall last season – a decision which meant the winger sat out the opening match of the season due to suspension.

The Athletic boss felt his side failed to do themselves justice against a hard-working United side whose robust performance bodes well for their promotion chances this term.

“I don’t think they caused us any real problems in the first half,” Dickov added. “And they ended up scoring from a corner which was never a corner in a month of Sundays.

“That summed up the referee today, and the other times we have had him.

“We didn’t pick up our man. As soon as they scored, everything we worked at pre-season and last season regarding team shape, discipline and everything else, three or four players gave it up.

“I won’t have that. I told the players that when they are out there they have to give everything they have got.

“The stupid thing is, we had two cleared off the line and Zander put one over the bar when it was probably easier to score.

“We had the best chances in the game without playing particularly well.

“You have to give them credit. It was an even game until they scored and then we lost our discipline.

“Their experienced players took control of the game and when that happens, it is so important you get back to doing the basics and the things you are good at. We didn’t do it, but they did.”