No fall-out, says Latics boss

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov has said he will do all he can to improve both his own skills and the team’s displays next season, writes MATTHEW CHAMBERS.

And attacking rumours that he and chairman Simon Corney have fallen out, he responded to his employer’s full backing by emphasising that he and all his existing staff have been briefed to plot a road-map for success.

“We talk two or three times a day, most days,” said Dickov on the manager-chairman relationship.

“As well as being a good friend, we have a really good working relationship.

“He doesn’t need to tell me it hasn’t been good enough at times this year, because I know myself.

“There are too many Chinese whispers going around the club and too many people looking for negatives at times. That is not going to get to me.”

Young fringe players are likely to get their chance to show what they can do in the final two matches of the season, now Athletic are safe from relegation. Bury also have no worries in that direction.

“They are sitting top-half at the minute, but the ridiculous thing is that if results go for us in the last two games, we can go above them. That is just how close the division is.”