The Latics went beserk on Saturday when they gave Notts County their second 3-0 thrashing in two league games and what a difference to last seasons lack lustre performances. The new squad are a slick, well oiled machine that is firing on all cylinders. Manager Paul Dickov has instilled a willingness to work and enjoy the game – and is it paying off! What a difference after the match for the teams. Athletic shot to the top of the league while sorry County slumped to the other end of the table.
Without getting carried away, the upcoming season looks really promising and Dickov agreed, "We are delighted, but you have to remember we are only two league games into the season. The most pleasing thing today was not the three great goals we scored but the clean sheet we kept. We had to stop giving away silly goals and what impressed me was, even when we were 3-0 ahead, our determination not to let in a goal."
"They were three fantastic goals, but each came about from us keeping the ball once we won it back. When we won the ball back in the first half we were in a rush to do the next pass. We want to be on the front foot, give 100-per-cent and close down teams. Once we get the ball, though, we need to switch off, relax and pass it. We are still learning as I am. And though we are delighted, it is important we don't get carried away. It is a start, that's all."