Frontman switch gives Dickov food for thought

ROBBIE SIMPSON . . . excelled in his new role at Bramall Lane.

ROBBIE Simpson’s impressive showing at the heart of Athletic’s midfield during the 1-1 draw at Sheffield United has given boss Paul Dickov something to think about.

Simpson, who usually operates off the main striker, slotted in alongside James Wesolowski as the creative part of a busy engine room at Bramall Lane.

His switch came in the absence of skipper Dean Furman.

While Furman is likely to be back and declared available for Saturday’s visit of Leyton Orient to Boundary Park, Simpson’s latest outing gave Dickov plenty to contemplate.

Of his bold selection against the Blades, Dickov said: “Robbie is a good player with a really good football brain.

“He got on the ball for us and kept it, while working ever so hard without it as well.”

Furman, who played for the whole of South Africa’s 1-0 defeat in Poland on Friday night and picked up a booking, is expected to retain his place in the Bafana’s midfield for tonight’s clash with Kenya in Nairobi.

He will be back in the UK tomorrow morning, but is unlikely to return to training until Thursday.

Despite his hectic schedule — London to Warsaw, Warsaw to Nairobi, Nairobi to London, around 8,855 miles — Athletic say he will be available for selection on Saturday.







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