Follow the leader
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 25 January 2013
Players must buck up, says Weso
LIVERPOOL fan James Wesolowski believes manager Paul Dickov has been badly let down on the team’s recent awful run — and that Athletic’s players have a duty to buck up their ideas.
The Sydney-born midfield man returned to the team in the midweek Notts County defeat and is certain to be in the heart of the action against Liverpool at Boundary Park on Sunday in the FA Cup.
Wesolowski, who says he is “ridiculously lucky” to be involved in a knock-out game against his favourite club two years running, simply wants Athletic to follow his manager’s instructions.
That process starts against Brendan Rodgers’ star-studded Reds. But, the all-action Aussie warns, it can’t end there.
“The gaffer has stood by us and has stood by me,” said the 24-year-old former Leicester City midfielder. “We need to repay him. He is doing all the right things; we are just not following the instructions. We need to get together and buck our ideas up as individuals.
“When the coaching staff (Gerry Taggart, Paul Butler and Lee Duxbury) all went it was a bit of a shock. But we are over that now. The main goal is getting Oldham Athletic up the Football League.
The team must look beyond the cup-tie, he said: “We will enjoy the Liverpool game, but after that we have Walsall (Feb 2) in the league, which is very important. We need to quickly refocus on that.”
Wesolowski hopes the knock-on effect of a big Boundary Park crowd could help to bring about an unlikely shock — one that might kick-start a resurgence in the team.
“Hopefully, we can get something. It can be refreshing to move out of the league and play a cup game. You can recharge the batteries and get that little buzz going.
“It is an opportunity for everyone to be seen by a huge audience on TV and a chance to go out and show you can hack it against some of the best players in the world.
“We are all excited for the opportunity we have to show what we can do.”
MATT Derbyshire will join Blackpool today, ending hopes of a return to Boundary Park.
The striker will go to to the Seasiders on loan until the end of the season.
Blackpool had watched Derbyshire in action for Athletic and were suitably impressed to make the swoop.
ATHLETIC have appealed for supporters to help clear the ground of snow tomorrow morning.
Fans are encouraged to head down to Boundary Park from 9am — with shovels.
