Diallo has lofty goal for Latics

Bradley Diallo: the young defender is convinced Athletic are capable of challenging for promotion.

A good club with big ambitions, says new boy
ATHLETIC new boy Bradley Diallo has tipped the club for promotion from npower League One this term.

The defender (21), who has signed a five-month free transfer deal at Boundary Park, was instantly impressed with the drive and determination of Paul Dickov and his coaching staff and believes the play-offs are a realistic target.

He said: “I was training with the rest of the lads for four weeks before I signed my contract, and I was happy straight away because I could tell there was a lot of hard work being carried out.

“This is a good club with big ambitions — I could tell that within a few minutes of meeting the manager.

“I am convinced we can be promoted this season if we have a good run of consistency because it is a young set of players with plenty of hunger.

“We should be looking to finish in the top group of sides and hopefully we can go up at the end of the season.”

The former Marseille stopper is now focused on gaining a regular starting place in a bid to earn an extended deal.

He added: “There are a lot of good players here, but hopefully I can impress the manager and his coaches enough to earn a place, and then it is down to me to stay in the side.

“If I can become a regular feature in the next few months then hopefully, by the time we get to January, I will have done enough to earn the right to stay at the club.”