Dean turns the jeers to cheers

Lewis Alessandra

THE way in which goalkeeper Dean Brill has handled adversity has impressed his team-mate, Pawel Abbott.

The Athletic striker has watched in admiration as Brill, a summer signing from Luton Town, has overcome a difficult start to his career at Boundary Park.

Brill, who has kept consecutive clean sheets against Carlisle and Southend, was jeered by home fans during the 3-0 home defeat by Hartlepool when he was at fault for one of the goals.

But Abbott said: “Dean has come on leaps and bounds since the Hartlepool game.

“It shows what a strong character he is. Others may have crumbled. He has pushed on and won back the fans.”

LEWIS Alessandra’s loan spell at Chester City may have been cut short by injury, but the 20-year-old Athletic striker still enjoyed his short time at the Cheshire club.

Alessandra, who came through the ranks at Boundary Park from the centre of excellence, admitted his time at Chester represented another part of a steep learning curve.

He said: “I’ve been here since I was a kid so it was a great experience to join another club and something I enjoyed.

“I knew I was down the order here so I had no doubts about making the move.

“It was all about playing football and first-team games which is what they offered me.”

Alessandra admitted the set-up at Chester, members of Blue Square Premier, was not as professional as at Boundary Park.

He also confessed the football was far more physical and direct than the style he had previously experienced.

Alessandra says former Athletic manager Mick Wadsworth, who is in charge at Chester, has a tough job on his hands after the club kicked off the season with a 25-point penalty.

“They are working hard to stay up and I hope they do,” he said.

Alessandra will not be rejoining Chester in the immediate future after undergoing surgery to repair damaged ankle ligaments.

He could be out of action for up to four months.