Dickov’s delight at team’s will to succeed

PAUL Dickov believes Athletic have created a solid base on which to build after seeing off Swindon.

A tight clash at Boundary Park was settled by a clever Chris Taylor finish early in the first half and a Dale Stephens penalty in the closing stages.

The goals gave Athletic three precious points, pushing them up four places to ninth in npower League One.

And though the team was shorn of possession for long periods by Swindon’s five-man midfield, there were plenty of plus-points to take into tomorrow’s home clash against Southampton as far as Dickov was concerned.

“We knew how tough it would be before the game,” said Athletic’s manager, speaking after a first win in six, a sequence which also contained successive defeats before Saturday’s game.

“We have had Swindon watched and I have watched them myself – they are one of the best teams we have seen this season.

“So to have a performance, a result and a clean sheet like we did leaves me delighted with the boys, especially after the two results last week.

“They showed great character, that they are together as a team and that they want to work for each other.

“They have got a massive desire to succeed. I keep saying it, win, lose or draw.

“They are a great bunch and they want to do things right.”

While Swindon kept the ball efficiently, chances were few and far between for the visitors.

New Athletic goalkeeper Ben Amos, making his first start, had to react smartly to dive and push away a fierce Matt Ritchie drive in the second half.

But that aside, despite the presence of 17-goal top scorer Charlie Austin, Swindon were kept quiet with Athletic defensive duo Reuben Hazell and Neal Trotman proving particularly effective.

“Both centre-backs were excellent,” Dickov added. “I spoke to them afterwards and said ‘don’t underestimate how good you were’.

“Charlie Austin is, for me, the best striker in the division. Being a striker myself I know that it doesn’t always go for you.

“You have games like that. But the two centre-backs were excellent, as the whole team were. They stuck to their jobs.

“I wouldn’t say we were outstanding. But as a manager, to have the work-rate and the desire from the players to keep doing the right things, was very pleasing.”

Dickov was also delighted with the display of debutant Amos, a player whose capture on loan from Manchester United is regarded as a real coup for the club.

“Ben was excellent,” Dickov said. “He coped with what he had to do and made one great save.

“He commanded his box well. When he had to come and punch he did and when he had to catch it he did.

“We knew what we were getting. He is a top ’keeper and we are very lucky to have him.

“You only have to look back as far as last month and he played in front of 74,000 people in a Champions League match (in a 1-1 draw against Valencia at Old Trafford).

“I spoke to Eric Steele (Manchester United’s goalkeeping coach) about him and Sir Alex Ferguson as well.

“They rate him very highly so that should tell you the qualities he has got.”




Latics’ next game— Tomorrow (v Southampton, home, npower League One)