Patience is key to breaking new boys

Latics boss wants his side to stay solid
PAUL DICKOV is under no illusions about the size of task his side faces when taking on Stevenage at Boundary Park tomorrow.

Up against physically robust opponents — much in the same mould as Colchester, who slammed Athletic 4-1 only two weeks ago — Dickov knows his men will have to toughen up to get the better of Graham Westley's side, who have enjoyed a good start to life in npower League One.

"I have watched a number of their games this year," said the Athletic manager, on the hunt for a third win of the season against first-time, former non-league opponents.

"They are a tight, direct unit who try to get bodies in behind the ball.

"It is important we are patient but it is a game we can win, if we do the right things.

"We have got good players in our team now who can win us games.

"If we can get the other side of it right, as we did against Scunthorpe and Rochdale, we are a match for any team.

"But they have only lost once this season, against an MK Dons team who were top of the league. So it will be a test."

Athletic will have to be wary of Stevenage top scorer Chris Beardsley tomorrow.

The striker only managed two goals in the whole of last season in League Two. Thanks to a double in last week's 4-2 home win over Rochdale, he already has four to his name this term.

That win over Dale was the Hertfordshire club's first at home this season.

This has been a very solid opening for Westley and his team in League One, though.

Only one defeat has arrived so far — that 1-0 reverse at MK Dons — and The Boro currently sit in 11th place in the table.

One man who will know plenty about the dangers posed by an outfit renowned for their non-nonsense approach is Athletic goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

The Aussie stopper was in goal for Accrington last season and took to the field against Stevenage in a two-legged play-off, which Stanley lost 3-0 on aggregate.

Stevenage secured an historic promotion thanks to a 1-0 play-off final victory at Old Trafford, John Mousinho netting the only goal of the game to send the club up to League One for the first time.

Stevenage (probable, 4-4-2): Day; Henry, Roberts, Bostwick, Charles; Wilson, Walker, Mousinho, Laird; Reid, Beardsley.