Dickov’s frustration at Latics’ derby defeat

Athletic boss Paul Dickov (above, left) and his assistant Gerry Taggart watch events unfold at Boundary Park last night.

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov was left “feeling sick” following last night’s disappointing 2-1 home defeat by derby rivals Bury.

A James Tarkowski own goal before the break put the Shakers in charge and captain Steve Schumacher fired home a penalty with six minutes to go.

Robbie Simpson pulled one back with a deflected header two minutes into injury time - slight consolation at the end of a disjointed display.

Dickov said: “The players know how I feel about the performance.

“It was a massive game for us and to lose it makes you feel sick. We will get them back in for training, pick them up and go again.

“But I can't explain why the boys were so lacking in energy and enthusiasm in that first half.

“We looked a totally different side from the weekend, and yet nothing has been altered in training, so it is very frustrating.

“In the second half we at least had a go, but that is the bare minimum we expect.”

The Scot, who spent more than half-an-hour analysing footage of the match immediately after the full-time whistle, insisted referee Graham Salisbury got it badly wrong when he waved away appeals for a penalty following what appeared to be a Zac Thompson foul on substitute Dean Furman.

But he was equally keen to point out the defeat had more to do with the home team's desperately poor first half performance, rather than the officials' decision-making.

Dickov hopes to have Reece Wabara and Jose Baxter available for selection against Tranmere on Saturday



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