Boss makes case for the defence

KEEPING a tight grip on defence is key for Athletic tomorrow, says manager Paul Dickov.

Up against a Bournemouth side containing the striker Matt Tubbs - an £800,000 signing from Crawley - Athletic's boss believes shutting the back door is crucial to breaking a sequence of back-to-back losses at Boundary Park.

"They had a good victory against Brentford on Tuesday, after a run of seven without a win," said Dickov, who admits he hasn't spoken to his friend, Bournemouth boss Lee Bradbury, in the build-up to the clash. "It will be a tough test, but if we show the determination I know we can, I am confident we can win the game.”

The Cherries' week has been eventful off the pitch; with a ban imposed on a local newspaper.

Dickov doesn't believe this will be a distraction. "If anything, you try to make it work in your favour," Dickov said. “You can imagine Lee's team talks being centred around proving people wrong. I shouldn't imagine it will affect them.”



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