Dickov’s salute to Adeyemi

Tom Adeyemi

TOM Adeyemi is a strong enough character to overcome his Anfield turmoil.

That is the belief of Athletic manager Paul Dickov, who praised the 20-year-old’s performance against Liverpool even after the second-half incident when the defender was left in tears after allegedly being the victim of racist abuse.

Since then a huge media spotlight has shone on the personal life of the on-loan midfielder from Norwich City.

Adeyemi was solid and strong enough at right-back in the FA Cup tie to suggest he will keep that position as Athletic make the short journey to Huddersfield Town tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Though some have expressed fears he will now become a target for opposition fans, Dickov isn’t worried.

“It is a shame for all of us that in a crowd of 45,000, one mindless idiot spoiled the occasion,” said Athletic manager Dickov. 

“I have had a chat with Tom briefly. He is mature beyond his years and away from the fact of what happened, he was magnificent at Liverpool.

“He took it in his stride and they had to move Craig Bellamy across to the other wing for the second half because he was getting no joy out of Tom.

“I know he reacted initially. But the way he acted after that and the way he continued to be focused is a credit to him.

“He will be fine, no doubt about it."

Striker Shefki Kuqi said that he, too, has often found himself the target for fan abuse over his career and has opted to more often than not turn the other cheek.

“I have never seen Tom as angry as that,” Kuqi said.

“It is one thing you can’t do anything about as a footballer.

“I have been called loads of things. I remember being a foreigner playing in Finland and I had lots of things thrown at me.

“That is football — as a player, you can’t say anything back.

“Wherever you go, you will have someone who thinks they are clever.

“I don't think Tom is the first (to react) and he won’t be the last, but everyone is a human being and colour doesn’t matter.”

Dickov confirmed that striker Robbie Simpson still hasn’t completed a settlement agreement with Huddersfield and as such has yet to switch from being a loan signing to a permanent one.

A contract running until the end of the season is waiting to be signed, but Simpson is ineligible to play tomorrow.

Nathan Clarke, whose loan spell from Huddersfield has run out, could yet return to Boundary Park on loan from next week.

“With Nathan, it couldn’t be done in time for the Liverpool game,” said Dickov. “Obviously, he would not have been able to play against Huddersfield anyway.

“He has got a few other offers on the table, but we just need to sit down and sort out a deal.

“We know Nathan wants to come back and we want to have him back here as well.”

As for the challenge which awaits Athletic at the Galpharm Stadium tomorrow, Dickov says that while one of the main aims is to cut out the supply line to 27-goal striker Jordan Rhodes, Huddersfield have plenty of other threats to be wary of.

“It is a great game for us, at a great stadium against a good team on a big pitch,” Dickov added.

“There will be a fantastic following from our fans and like in the Liverpool game, we go there to give it a good go.

“Everyone has tried to stop Jordan Rhodes this season. You have to stop the supply to him, as he has already shown this season that if you give him a sniff, he will score goals.

“He is the best striker outside the Premier League at the moment. He runs the channel well, he has got good movement and when he gets a chance nine times out of 10 he hits the target.

“Every single one of their players can play at a higher level. They have had money but you have to pick the right players. Lee Clark (Huddersfield’s manager) has to take a lot of credit for that.

“It is going to be a tough test for us, but we have shown already against Huddersfield, Charlton and MK Dons that if everyone is at it, we can be a match for them.”

Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Cisak; Adeyemi, Mvoto, Diamond, Lee; Parker, Wesolowski, Furman, Taylor; Scapuzzi, Kuqi. Subs (from): Bouzanis, Black, Tarkowski, Morais, Smith, Winchester, Mellor.