Dickov granting Boro respect

Athletic's management will not take the Stevenage opposition for granted at Boundary Park tomorrow.

Dickov knows Stevenage — last year's unexpected play-off semi-finalists — will be at least as difficult to break down as Walsall in midweek.

"The biggest problem is people see underestimate them," said Athletic's manager. But it is a team who finished in the play-off positions last year. You have got to respect them.

"We are at home. And as much as I gave the boys a pasting (over Walsall) the other night, there is a desire within them to go out and get three points.

"We are only two games in. Nobody wanted to get six points more than me but we have got one.

"Now we need to go and be positive against Stevenage.”

Former Athletic winger Filipe Morais and Exeter midfield man James Dunne have joined Stevenage for this season.

"Gary has brought a lot of players in over the summer," added Dickov. “I know speaking to him after we played them down there that he wanted to change the way that they play.

"Before, they had the reputation as a long-ball team. Gary wanted them to play more football and he has brought in players who can do that.

"It will be a tough game. But we are only two games in and people are talking about how they have had such a great start while other teams haven't. If we win, we are level on points with them. Judge us in 10 games' time."




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