Dickov courting victory on the coast

PAUL DICKOV: the Athletic manager’s side head south after only two defeats in their last 10 matches.

PAUL Dickov is using the pain of last season’s Bournemouth battering as extra incentive to turn the tables on the hosts this weekend.

Prolific Athletic travel to the south coast in high spirits, having only lost twice in the last 10 matches and finding the net 11 times in three games.

Last season’s play-off semi-finalists are 16th in the npower League One table. And after suffering a three-goal loss at Dean Court in March, Dickov believes his men can travel home with all three points.

“Lee Bradbury (Bournemouth's manager) is a very good friend of mine and I am glad they have picked up a bit, because he is a top man,” said Dickov of his former Manchester City strike partner.

“They turned us over comprehensively down there last year and I don’t want that to happen again.

“We go into the game with a lot of confidence and with momentum as well.”

Dickov currently has several options within his squad and could soon bring Josh Parker back into the first-team picture.

The winger, out for three months with a knee injury, was a substitute in a reserves clash at Tranmere last week and got a chance from the start today in a closed-doors friendly at Fleetwood.

“We have seen little clips of what Josh can do but even then, he wasn’t fully fit,” said Dickov of the quick wing man.



ATHLETIC find out tonight the identity of their opponents in the second round of the FA Cup.
Southend host Preston in a first-round replay at Roots Hall and the victors have home advantage over Athletic for a tie which will take place on Saturday, December 3.



THE WINDOW for loan deals closes on Thursday and will remain shut until the New Year.
Athletic are hopeful of moving some younger fringe players out to lower division clubs before then to gain experience.