We need new blood – boss

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov admitted reinforcements may be needed after seeing his side slip to home defeat against Brentford.

Two goals from Clayton Donaldson – a player the Scot chased for months last year – put paid to any hopes of building on feelgood factor brought by Jose Baxter's two-and-a-half-year contract.

Athletic looked badly short of creativity due in a midfield without Dean Furman, James Wesolowski and Cristian Montano.

Dickov said: "We looked thin on the ground, unfortunately, and we might need some new players.

“Some of the kids aren't ready to play yet and we are light on numbers, so we will see what can happen.

"It was very disappointing after last week. We know Brentford are a good team near the top of the table, but it is a game we felt we could win.

“I think we were lacklustre with and without the ball. Having said that, Dean Bouzanis hardly had a save to make.”

Dickov has reiterated the need for his charges to focus on the task in hand – climbing the League One table – rather than dwelling on the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Liverpool at the end of the month.