Away the lads!

FORWARD Matt Smith is first to the ball in the 2-0 home defeat by Brentford. Manager Paul Dickov is hoping for more away-day resilience in Saturday’s fixture at Coventry.

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov has called on his players to again show their away-day steel against Coventry on Saturday.

Trailing 2-0 in the early stages at Scunthorpe, they battled back to 2-2 and held on for a point despite being reduced to 10 men.

And not many observers fancied Athletic’s chances when they headed into the interval a goal down at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round, prior to a stunning comeback victory.

While form at home remains a big headache, Dickov’s men are undoubtedly a threat on their travels.

“We have two tough away games coming up (Coventry and Notts County) and we will have to be at our best,” said the Scot. “But it’s important to remember that before the Brentford match we had two tough fixtures on the road, at Scunthorpe and Nottingham Forest.

“But we rolled up our sleeves and got back into it both times. We have to take that attitude into the next two games - starting at Coventry.”

Winning Brentford manager Uwe Rosler has called on Athletic to be patient with Dickov - his former strike partner at Manchester City.

Rosler is convinced success will come to Boundary Park if his close friend is given time at the helm.

“As far as I am concerned Paul is performing miracles at Oldham,” he said. “Everyone connected with the club should appreciate and support him. He is working on a budget and doing well.”