‘Little things aren’t going for us, but we have to stay positive’

PAUL Dickov preached the value of positive thinking after presiding over a second home defeat in four days.

While Athletic fired in a total of 19 shots on Crewe’s goal, only once — through substitute Dan Taylor — did the team find the net.

That came after Mathias Pogba had opened the scoring. And almost as soon as Taylor had levelled, the visitors went down the other end to net a winner through Harry Ellis.

“It was the same old story,” said Dickov, whose side lost 2-1 to a late goal against Doncaster on Boxing Day.

“We have had two home games over the Christmas period in which we have played ever so well, created a lot of chances and come away with nothing.

“It was another sickener. But we have a big game on New Year’s Day so we pick ourselves up and go to try and win it.”

Athletic head to Scunthorpe tomorrow afternoon still wondering just how striker Matt Smith managed to miss when presented with an open goal in the first half of another frustrating encounter.

Smith did find the net after the break with a powerful header, but the effort was disallowed by referee Tony Harrington for a push.

“From what I saw, and I saw afterwards, it is a perfectly good goal,” said Dickov of Smith’s attempt. “He got up well, Matt, and it was a really good header.

“We hoped he had made up for the miss in the first half, but it wasn’t to be.”

Dickov felt his side, who were on top for long spells, were worthy of more.

But mistakes at both ends of the field proved costly.

“We worked ever so hard to get back in the game,” he added. “We changed things around, played some good stuff and did get back in it.

“And then to concede, literally, a minute later was really poor from our point of view.

“Cristian (Montano) chased the boy back 50 yards, showing a lot of desire, then tried to dribble the ball out from the by-line which gives them a corner they end up scoring from.

“It is really disappointing. But we had 19 attempts on goal.

“As much as we talk about the defending, when you get your chances you have to take them.

“Little things aren’t going for us, but we have to stay positive and we will get results.”

On Taylor, who marked his first appearance on the field since August with a debut goal in professional football thanks to a neat finish, Dickov again emphasised the young striker is a work-in-progress.

“It was a great little goal from him,” Dickov said. “Dan is a finisher.

“I had a long chat with Dan (on Friday) and he openly admits he is not quite there yet.

“But if we can get him on the pitch and scoring goals, he will be a good player.”