Carry on regardless

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov is desperate for an upturn in fortunes in npower League One.

PAUL Dickov considers himself lucky to be in employment as a manager.

He says he will work as hard as he can, following showdown talks.

The shock 3-2 FA Cup win over Liverpool earned Athletic’s manager a reprieve from chairman Simon Corney, in spite of league form that has left the club on the precipice of the league’s relegation zone.

Dickov will hope to improve fortunes between now and the fifth-round Everton tie to get Athletic away from trouble.

“Simon told me he wants me to stay on,” Dickov said.

“He’s obviously said the decision is up to me ultimately, and I’ll just carry on as I did last week and the week before, and last season and the season before that.

“I’m happy to carry on. I love my job. I’m a lucky boy to have a job, there are only 92 of us in the league and I just want to be the best I can.

“I’ll work as hard as I can and if I do that we've got a chance of winning games.”

The manager’s job has become harder as a result of injuries from the cup tie.

Youssouf Mchangama may have sustained serious damage to his left knee from an early challenge from Raheem Sterling.

Two-goal striker Matt Smith needs a precautionary x-ray on the shoulder he injured on Sunday and fellow forward Robbie Simpson suffered a slight hamstring strain.

As far as bringing in any new players apart from Paul Murray, the loan window shuts on, January 31.

Dickov is trying to goal-hero Reece Wabara back on loan but faces competition from Championship clubs.

Manchester City assistant boss David Platt commented: ““Reece needed to play matches at a higher level than reserve games.

“We’ll have to see what happens.”