Dickov’s salute

IT’S THERE! Chris Taylor scores the only goal of the game.

Injured stars face fight to get back in, says Latics manager

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov says the club’s injured stars will face a tough battle to get their places back, if performances similar to that against Walsall last night can be replicated.

Chris Taylor’s deflected goal gave the visitors a deserved 1-0 victory at the Bescot Stadium — despite the absence of no less than SIX first-team players.

Bradley Diallo served the second of his three-match ban and also on the

sidelines were injured quintet Dean Furman, Josh Parker, Paul Black, Zander Diamond and Filipe Morais.

“It’s one defeat in the last six games and that’s what I’ve told the boys,” said Dickov, who gave Shefki Kuqi the armband as he became Athletic’s third captain already this season.

“What we want to achieve is consistency. In every interview you read from a manager after a game they are always trying to get the consistency right.

“I believe I’ve got a good team here. We were

without five players who were possible starters and as much as I said I wanted a smaller squad, and it’s being tested at the minute, I think it’s got quality in it.

“When those players come back, they’ll find it hard to get back in if the boys play like they did last night.”

Scorer Taylor has yet to hit top form this season and Dickov hopes that he, along with fellow wide man Robbie Simpson, can give the team attacking drive as they look to build on the current good run, starting at Leyton Orient on Saturday.

“Chris is a fantastic player for us,” Dickov added. “If we are going to go where we want to go, then Chris has to play well for us.

“As much as I’m pleased for Chris, I thought Robbie Simpson picked up some great positions, his run for the goal was fantastic, Reuben Reid was a threat and Shefki is always going to be a threat.

“When we learn to get our better players on the ball quicker and move it quicker then we’ll be a good team.

“I’ve got to be delighted, to come away from home at a tough place against a good team and get a win is great.”

Athletic moved up two places in the npower League One table to 13th, only two points adrift of the play-off positions ahead of the weekend’s clash with rock-bottom Orient.