Latics picked a winner in Dickov

PAUL DICKOV: “absolute pleasure to play for.”

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Clarke’s tribute to his ex-boss

FORMER Athletic loanee Nathan Clarke has labelled Paul Dickov an “unbelievable” manager.

The 29-year-old centre-half joined Leyton Orient on a two-year deal in the summer and will lead out the side at Boundary Park on Saturday.

As happy as he is with life as captain at the Matchroom Stadium, he holds fond memories of his five-month spell on loan from Huddersfield last season - and insists Athletic have the right man in charge.

“Paul Dickov is just an unbelievable manager,” said Clarke. “It was an absolute pleasure to play for a guy like him. The coaching staff are also top-notch and the place is full of great people. I loved every second of my five months at Oldham.”

Clarke keeps in touch with many of the Oldham players, especially striker Robbie Simpson, who Clarke played alongside at Huddersfield.

He added: “Robbie and I are close friends. A few weeks ago when Athletic were going through a rough patch, we both agreed it was only a matter of time before they came out the other end.”

Clarke believes the quality of Dickov’s acquisitions — most notably loan trio Reece Wabara, Jose Baxter and Matt Derbyshire — were examples of his shrewdness in the transfer market.

“Now the blip is hopefully out of the way, this is a chance for Athletic to lay down a marker in the busy period between now and Christmas,” he suggested.



ATHLETIC captain Dean Furman played the full match for South Africa, who beat Kenya 2-1 in a friendly in Nairobi.



MATT Smith scored two headers as Athletic reserves defeated Walsall 3-2 at Chapel Road, with Youssouf Mchangama also firing home.