Feelgood factor!

SPOT ON . . . Dale Stephens scores against Brentford. The midfielder is setting his sights on 10 goals for the season after netting against Dagenham and Redbridge. Latics boss has created a buzz at the club, says Dale

ATHLETIC midfielder Dale Stephens feels like a new man — thanks to the guidance of manager Paul Dickov.

Stephens, who slammed home his ninth goal of the season in the 1-1 draw with Dagenham and Redbridge at Boundary Park on Saturday, faced an uncertain future when he was farmed out to Rochdale on loan by Dave Penney last term.

But he has become a key member of the regular 11 since the Scot’s arrival at the club last summer, striking up an impressive partnership with Dean Furman in the engine room.

“I have not looked back since returning from Rochdale,” said Stephens.

“Things can change very quickly, that is the way football is. I wanted to be a first team regular and now I am. I really enjoy it.”

Stephens believes the buzz Dickov has created at the club is one of the main reasons for a sparkling npower League One season.

He added: “I have always had confidence, but it has grown, and as a team there is such a good feeling around the place.

“The manager is very enthusiastic. The players he has brought in are confident people too, so it rubs off on you and can have a knock-on effect.”

Despite an assured performance in the heart of the midfield and a fine goal which broke the deadlock, Stephens was disappointed to see another lead go by the wayside against Dagenham.

“It is frustrating to see it happen again. It has occurred quite a lot of late and giving leads away is something we have to put to bed,” he said.

“The other thing is, we need to take more chances. It was sloppy from all of us, we could have put the match beyond doubt before their equaliser.

“We are still on target, though. We believe we can reach the play-offs.”

Stephens is now just one goal away from reaching his goalscoring target for the campaign — and he is ready to set a new one once he reaches double figures.

He added: “At the start of the season I said I wanted to score 10 goals, and I had a bet with Lee Duxbury (coach).

“If I make it to 10 the target will be 15. You have to keep pushing yourself.”

The Dagenham game survived a pitch inspection at 1.30pm when referee Steve Rushton passed the Boundary Park surface fit.

Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy paid tribute to the hard work of ground staff Chris Bailey, Warren Caine and Daniel Doherty in helping to ready the playing surface for action despite heavy rain which led to call-offs at other grounds in the North-West area.