Patience is key for Dean

Dean Bouzanis: patience paid off

DEAN Bouzanis has made his patience pay off. Athletic's reserve goalkeeper this week earned himself a first contract with the club, after spending two months warming the bench as back-up to Aussie compatriot Alex Cisak.

The 21-year-old's attitude has been praised by his manager Paul Dickov, who feels the security of the move will help steady Bouzanis's career.

"It is credit to him," Dickov said. "He has been with us for two months, sitting on the bench and travelling with us and he has not been getting paid.

"That shows the attitude of the boy. It was important we got Dean signed, as Paul Gerrard (goalkeeping coach) isn't getting any younger and if anything did happen to Alex we would have been struggling.

"Dean is another one who needs to get his career back on track. It isn't so long ago he was being talked about as the next big thing at Liverpool. He is a talented boy and now needs to knuckle down."

Other players to commit to Athletic this week include Norwich's Tom Adeyemi, who has renewed his loan until and including March 10, and Robbie Simpson, who finally secured his release from Huddersfield to facilitate a permanent switch to Boundary Park.

"If you are successful on the pitch, players want to stay," Dickov added.

"Robbie is a top player who loves being here and has shown with his patience what he thinks of the club. He could have gone elsewhere in January, but he wants to stay because he believes in what we are doing. Norwich were happy to have Tom back but just like Robbie, he wants to be here.

“He likes being with the lads and being a part of things with us."

Dickov also confirmed that the club received no firm offers for any of its stars on deadline day.

"There were one or two enquiries, but there was nothing concrete," he said.

“"We want to keep our better players for both this and next season. I was glad when the 11pm deadline came."