The real work starts now

JORDAN SLEW . . . set to make his first appearance for Athletic in the Capital One Cup tonight.

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov has warned that pre-season results count for little as his team embarks on a new campaign.

Sheffield Wednesday come to Boundary Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off) for a televised fixture in the first round of the Capital One Cup, aiming to emulate the achievement of rivals Sheffield United, who toppled Dickov’s side at the same ground in the first league game of 2010-11.

Against opposition from the Championship — even when armed with an injury-free squad high on confidence — Dickov knows his men will be severely tested in ways friendlies can’t replicate.

But he believes that Athletic are capable of overcoming their opponents.

“You can’t gauge performances in pre-season; only once the season starts. Our priority is doing well in the league this year but we saw, for lots of reasons, the good that a cup run did for us last season.

“We know it will be a tough game and that they are favourites, but we have a little feeling that we can cause an upset.”

Jordan Slew is set to start up front and make his debut for the club tonight along with fellow new men Cliff Byrne and Jonathan Grounds.




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