Let’s get back to basics —Dickov

DAVID MELLOR: the teenager, who impressed on his full debut against Scunthorpe, lasted half-an-hour against the U’s.

PAUL Dickov has reiterated the message that a strong work ethic lies at the heart of a successful Athletic team.

Colchester’s 4-1 thumping of the visitors to the Weston Homes Community Stadium echoed the equally miserable away-day at Yeovil two weeks earlier, when the Glovers ran out 3-1 victors.

Arriving after back-to-back wins at Scunthorpe and at home to 10-man Rochdale, though, Dickov clearly expected better in terms of attitude.

“It was too easy for Colchester to score goals against us,” said the Athletic boss, following a third loss in five npower League One matches.

“I don’t know whether with back-to-back wins they have all had an idea we are a fantastic team. I got that impression.

“I keep repeating myself. Win, lose or draw, we are at our best when we do the basics right and work our socks off and we didn’t do that.”

Athletic’s manager also explained the situation regarding David Mellor.

The 18-year-old impressed everyone on his full debut at Scunthorpe with a smart right-foot shot which helped the visitors take a first-half lead.

He then missed the Rochdale derby with a virus and though he was deemed fit to play on the left of midfield at Colchester after resuming training two days earlier, Mellor was brought off the field on the half-hour mark clearly still feeling not quite 100-per-cent.

Matt Smith came into a two-man strike force and would have scored his second goal of the season but for an offside flag.

“David has been a bit under the weather,” added the Athletic’s manager.

“I felt that the ball was coming back at us a little bit too quickly, so we wanted to put Matt Smith — who was excellent — up there, and he didn’t deserve to be in a team that got beaten 4-1.

“And his goal was onside, probably three yards, when the free-kick was taken."