Dickov looking for answers

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov is “baffled” at his side’s zero points total over the past two games.

Goals from Gavin and Andy Williams gave Yeovil a 2-1 win at Boundary Park, completing a league double and handing Athletic a second home loss in five days following an identical scoreline against Scunthorpe.

Returning centre-back Zander Diamond took the captain’s armband and crashed home a header to level the score in the second half, but it was a lack of composure in front of goal and mistakes at the back that were once again an unsettling theme in a seventh home defeat of the campaign.

“A few players felt a little bit sorry for themselves with the result on Tuesday night, playing well but not getting the result,” said Dickov, referring back to the defeat to Scunthorpe.

“They took that into the first half. In the second half, we went out and got back into the game. We scored a good goal from a set piece and then switched off once again.

“It happened on Tuesday night and I personally feel we have chucked six points away in two games.

“We have been the better side in both but have come away with nothing.

“We have to be more ruthless. Yeovil had three shots on goal and Alex (Cisak) has picked the ball out of his net twice.

“There is an element of luck involved and you can blame a number of things. But as I said the other night, when it is not quite going your way you have to switch on at the back.

“We had a go at them in the second half and could and should be talking about getting three points.

“A few of them are saying they are a little bit tired, but that doesn’t wash with me. It is the best job in the world and you have to go out there and give it everything you have got.

“You can’t blame tiredness, as we finished the game the stronger.”

Athletic remain without a number of key players through injury, with Dean Furman, Jim Wesolowski and Robbie Simpson missing from the line-up.

“They are big, big players,” added Dickov.

“Anyone watching the last two games would feel we have done enough to win both. But we are sitting here with no points.

“It baffles me, because we should have had six.”

The loss means the ‘Golden Ticket’ promotion has borne only one point from a possible nine, with three consecutive fixtures away from home now in store for Athletic.

“We dust ourselves down now and have to be positive,” Dickov said.

“There was a fantastic crowd and we are sorry we couldn’t give them the win.

“We have a tough game on Tuesday night against Stevenage. We have to bounce back and I am sure we will.”