Six appeal from Dickov

PAUL Dickov is targeting nothing less than SIX points from the next two matches as he battles to save his skin at Athletic.

The fixture at basement club Hartlepool tonight and Shrewsbury’s visit to Boundary Park on Saturday have been designated as must-wins.

In the context of three consecutive losses, that appears a tall order.

But the fiery Scot, who read the riot act to his players after the Bournemouth debacle, believes the picture can change quickly.

“Nobody puts more pressure on me than myself,” said the manager. “I am not daft and I know the situation we are in. It is a situation I also know we can get out of.

“I know I am under pressure, because we are sitting fourth from bottom and having not won in three games. But that can change very quickly.

“Let’s deal with Hartlepool first. But the target for the next two games is six points — it has to be.

“We all have to really dig in now. It is alright having good footballers. But you show your true mettle when the chips are down.

“We roll our sleeves up and get on with it.”

With Matt Smith pushing hard for a starting role after netting in his familiar role as an impact substitute at the Goldsands Stadium, Dickov admitted a tactical change may be in the offing.

Athletic’s supply line has run dry and the team has only produced a meagre 11 shots on target in the last three matches.

“We have to win games,” Dickov added. “If that means changing the way we play then we are going to have to do that.

“It is okay playing nice football. But if you don’t have an end product then it doesn’t do anybody any good.”

Hartlepool’s new manager John Hughes was introduced to the scale of the task he faces in keeping the club in npower League One at the weekend, as Pools lost 5-0 at home to Coventry.

Like former Hibs boss Hughes, Dickov wants a line to be drawn under the portion of the season that has already passed.

“Hartlepool will be hurting,” Dickov added. “Their new manager has not had a lot of time with them before Saturday. He had a couple of days before this one.

“It will be a tough game for us. But last year, we went up there on the back of a bad run and got a victory. We have to aim for the same.

“We have to try to forget about what has happened already. Our season starts here.”

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