If players can’t concentrate they may as well not be here

PAUL Dickov tore into his squad after a second-half shambles resulted in a crushing defeat at in-form Bournemouth.

Lewis Grabban’s hat-trick and a Charlie Daniels header were answered only by a late consolation from substitute Matt Smith as Athletic were demolished at the Goldsands Stadium despite a scoreless first half.

It was an eighth league defeat of the season for Dickov (left), whose side are now in the relegation zone in npower League One.

“It was disappointing and embarrassing, the second half especially,” said the manager, who has tasted victory only once in the last six league fixtures.

“In the first half we contained them. They had possession, but Dean Bouzanis didn’t have a save to make.

“And then, to go out and concede in the manner we did is more than disappointing.

“I said to the players that if you are mentally weak then you are not going to have a chance.

“After the first goal went in, which should never have happened anyway as our back four backed off 10 yards to let him (Arter) have a shot, we just crumbled.

“It’s so frustrating. We know they are a good team and we worked on a lot of things during the week in reacting to things in and around the box.

“The first goal came from a shot they reacted first to; the second was from a cross we didn’t stop from one side, another we didn’t stop from the other side and a ball in the box they reacted first to; Dean Bouzanis saved a penalty they reacted first to.

“If they can’t concentrate for 90 minutes, they may as well not be here.

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