It’s down to you, lads

Dean Bouzanis

DEAN Bouzanis believes Athletic’s players need to self-examine in order to get beyond the recent run of poor results.

Since beating promotion candidates Sheffield United 3-2 at Bramall Lane, only six points have been picked up from a run of nine matches.

In that time, while luck has on occasion deserted manager Paul Dickov’s men, the truth is that a return of six goals is abject.

It is now over five hours since Chris Taylor found the net to claim the spoils against Bournemouth, the last goal Athletic managed to produce.

And at the other end of the pitch, a pair of awful defensive slip-ups saw Brentford emerge with victory on Tuesday night.

Bouzanis was in impressive form at Griffin Park, producing one wonderful save, diving at full stretch to palm a Clayton Donaldson header on to a post.

Though that was only the Athletic second start for the former Liverpool prospect, he has been a permanent feature in the matchday squads since November.

And with plenty of time to take in the pattern of events on the field from a dug-out position, the 21-year-old is clear about what needs to be done to get the club out of their rut.

“First and foremost, players have to look at themselves and their own performances,” said the Sydney-born goalkeeper, who had a spell on loan with Accrington two seasons ago. “Once that happens, you progress as a team.

“I wanted to get in the play-offs and now I want to finish as high as we possibly can to show people that we are a good footballing team.

“That is the main thing for me, working hard together to get the team as high up the division as we can.

“I am buzzing to be playing, to get that chance to show what I am about.

“But while I want to do well for myself, the team is more important and my main priority.

“It hurts me, a lot. I have just come into the side and I want to help win games with solid performances.

“We have to play with pride and passion. And we have to do that this weekend, because we are in a difficult time at the moment.”
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