Mercurial Morais is a team player

POINTING THE WAY: Filipe Morais celebrates after scoring Athletic’s opening goal in the 2-2 draw at Wycombe.

THERE has been very little aimless flapping in the play of Filipe Morais lately.

Athletic's mercurial winger can delight as much as he can frustrate and on that score, critics could argue that he has done both equally this season.

In recent times, though, the 26-year-old has adopted a work ethic to be admired.

Once a fleeting presence in games, the former Chelsea trainee appears to have demanded more of himself.

The 'flip-flap' trick has been conspicuous by its absence. Tracking back to help team-mates and, crucially, early crosses into the penalty area have been the order of things.

There was also precious little over-elaboration about Morais' stunning strike at Wycombe.

Taking a volleyed cross-field pass from Bradley Diallo immediately in his stride, Morais carried the ball confidently forward before unleashing a 25-yard drive that arced away from the stretch of Wycombe goalkeeper Nikki Bull to hand Latics the lead.

“We knew how big the game was,” said Morais, who pointedly rushed to the visitors' bench to embrace manager Paul Dickov after scoring his fifth goal of the season in the 2-2 draw.

“A draw was great and a win would have been even better.”


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