Dickov bemoans defensive lapses

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov bemoaned the defensive errors which blighted the team’s efforts in a strange encounter at Yeovil.

Though comprehensively beaten by the final whistle, the first of the two goals scored by the Glovers in the second half came as Athletic were probing for what would have been at the time a deserved equaliser.

Dickov felt that one goal would have led to another, had the visitors breached Yeovil’s defence in the second half at Huish Park.

But as it was, a counterattack led to Gary Johnson’s men making it 3-1 through James Hayter.

And after Robbie Simpson was controversially red-carded, a fourth followed late in the game from Paddy Madden.

“We started well and got the goal, then got done by a penalty and a quick break,” said Dickov, whose side took the lead through Jose Baxter before two Gavin Williams goals made it 2-1 to the Glovers by half-time.

“Up until that point, they had a bit of pressure under the strong wind blowing in that direction but we coped with it quite well.

“Coming in at 2-1 down at half-time, we said to the boys to just tighten up a little bit defensively and we will get something out of the game.

“We started the second half ever so well. And we were standing watching it thinking not only were we going to equalise, we could go on and win the game.

“We had chances and balls cleared off the line. Then one break and we are 3-1 down. Straight after that, we are down to 10 men.

“It is a strange one. But the goals we conceded were poor ones.”

Dickov had no qualms with the penalty which opened Yeovil’s account, scored by Williams after a foul by Jean-Yves Mvoto on Ed Upson.

He was not pleased, though, with the way his side invited pressure by being too stretched from back to front before a switch-around at the interval changed matters for the better.

“We were too deep, first half,” Dickov added. “The gap between the midfield and defence was too big and it allowed them to pick the ball up in little holes and hit us on the break.

“In the second half, we defended a lot higher up the pitch and it made it a lot easier for us.

“Defensively, when you are putting the pressure on you have to anticipate for the worst and we didn’t do that.

“On four occasions, we have paid for it.

“But you can’t count yourselves unlucky when you have been beaten 4-1 after defending like that.”

Yeovil manager Gary Johnson paid tribute to the superb 25-yard strike from Williams which gave his side the lead.

”The lads had to perform and other than ten minutes they did,” said Johnson. “There were quality bits of play and one quality goal that has to be goal of the season.

"Gavin was playing well anyway at the time and we mustn't forget the kick that (goalkeeper) Marek Stech kicked out to him.

"It was straight to him, a great take on the halfway line, he beat a couple of players, it opened up like the Red Sea and he hit it from a full 30 yards with venom. It was in the top corner, it was a fantastic goal and it lifted everybody.”