Paul Dickov resigns

Paul Dickov finally quit as Oldham boss yesterday following yet another league defeat.

The club have only picked up one point in nine games, but still managed to dump Liverpool out of the FA Cup and set up a fifth round tie against Everton.

The Latics issued a club statement on Sunday morning stating that Dickov had "been disappointed at the level of commitment and performances and feels that a change is needed if the club is to survive in League One."

And Dickov was less than impressed after watching his team throw away a one goal lead following loan striker Lee Barnard's 19th minute header. 

James Baxendale levelled for Walsall just before the break and Jamie Paterson sealed a Saddlers' win with a second half break. Dickov groaned:

"I am gutted because I desperately wanted to get a result.

"Over the course of the game, we were nowhere near good enough. Overall it is disappointing because I saw a lot of desire and passion last week and I didn’t get that today.

"We didn’t win the Liverpool game because we had better players. We won it because we wanted it more. You cannot do it for one game and not the next three. Every time they go out on to the pitch must mean something for their careers. Otherwise it will be gone before they know it.

"I told the players we are in a right battle, a right scrap at the bottom and you have to be man enough and to stand up, roll up your sleeves and take the flak. And more importantly go out on to the pitch and give absolutely everything you can.

"We started the game well, did the right things with and without the ball, got our noses in front and then stopped doing them."

Dickov signed Barnard just before the day before the transfer deadline closed until the end of the season and the Southampton hit man said:

"We've got two big games coming up against Yeovil and MK Dons before we face Everton and we're looking for six points.

We're hurting at the moment, but we've got great players in the team and some good quality - we can put things right."