Dickov determined to put things right

REGARDLESS of what happens in the final two fixtures, Athletic's end-of-term report card will be marked “must do better”.

Despite stacking together a couple of draws at Wycombe and then at home against Preston, the truth acknowledged by manager Paul Dickov is that the club have underachieved in a season that promised plenty less than three months ago.

Though the team was languishing in lower mid-table — a position endured for most of the season — there was a belief the goals of Shefki Kuqi, and a strong squad boosted by livewire forward Keanu Marsh-Brown, would aid a push to the fringes of the play-offs.

"We have not been good enough," said Dickov.

"It is something I have got to assess for next season. We will sit down in the summer and work out where I can be better and how we can make the team better.

“We have to progress next year and be better than we have been, particularly over the last 20 games."

Bury are next up at Gigg Lane on the penultimate Saturday of the season.

"We look to go there and win the game,” said the manager.

“It is a local derby and I know the fans will go there and turn out for us as they always do.”

Throughout the season there has been plenty of talk of Athletic finishing in the top half of npower League One.

In theory, that is still possible: though 18th, Dickov's side trail Colchester in 10th place by only six points — an illustration of just how tight a division it is.



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