No more hard luck stories, vows Dickov

JAMES TARKOWSKI . . . has been thrust back into the limelight for Latics.

HARD luck stories need to quickly be consigned to the dustbin if Athletic are to achieve progression this season, manager Paul Dickov has warned.

Luck has deserted the club over the past few weeks: the 2-1 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at Chesterfield on Wednesday was a third straight loss and the fourth in six matches.

Exeter arrive tomorrow for a League One game that offers Athletic the first of six fixtures out of eight at Boundary Park — including the second leg of the Northern final against the Spireites.

This is crunch time, Dickov says: excuses for poor displays won't be tolerated.

"It is no use me coming out with what some may see as the same old rubbish after every game — how the performance was good, how we didn't get this decision or that decision," said Dickov, whose side have slipped to 17th place in League One, their lowest position since the first month of the campaign.

"We have a lot of big games now and the next six weeks will define our season.

“We have a lot of home matches coming up, including the second leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, and I have said to the players there is no way I am going to let the season fizzle out.

"We have a lot of games

we think are winnable. To get the points, we have to keep things simple and do the basics right.

"Exeter are a good passing and attacking side and seem to be a bit of a bogey side for us as well.

"They were struggling but have picked up a bit and I saw them beat Chesterfield 2-0 when they played ever so well.

"But we need to start picking up points and I don't want to come out on Saturday at 5pm saying we were unlucky, or this and that didn't go for us.

"There is no room for that any more. It is no use me banging on about having a better-quality squad than last year. We are looking for progression, but we are in the same position (we finished in) and for me, that is not good enough.

"Three points would get us back on track going into the next Chesterfield game, which will hopefully be a fantastic atmosphere at Boundary Park and a game in which we have to go for it."

With Zander Diamond unlikely to be fit for the game and with the situation the same over Huddersfield centre-back Nathan Clarke — Dickov wants him, but isn't budging on only paying what Athletic can afford — James Tarkowski is likely to continue in the heart of the defence alongside Jean-Yves Mvoto tomorrow.

"He set an example to a lot of the players out on the pitch," said Dickov of the teenager's seasonal debut at Chesterfield.

"He was a superstar — and for a young kid, coming in for his first start of the season, I can't speak highly enough of him. I just wish there were a couple more who took a leaf out of his book."



JAMES Tarkowski took his late Chesterfield call-up in his stride.

The teenage centre-back was a composed figure in defence after stepping into the breach for the injured Zander Diamond shortly before kick-off.

With interceptions and clever passes out of defence, 'Tarky' impressed everyone — including the Spireites' ex-Athletic management team.

"It was a bit of a surprise call after Zander pulled up, so I just prepared myself and I hope that I did well," said the New Moston-born defender.

"I always get ready to play, just in case someone gets injured in the first minute."

Youth-team product Tarkowski conceded a penalty for a foul on Jack Lester, but felt it shouldn't have been awarded.

"Their lad admitted to me himself he didn't think it was a penalty. I took the ball, it bounced off his leg behind me and he tumbled over me."