Dickov's men to tackle Scunthorpe
As Latics prepare for tomorrow night's npower League One visit of Scunthorpe United, Paul Dickov has claimed his current squad is the best since he became Latics' manager almost two-and-a-half years ago.Latics last week signed Matt Derbyshire, Jose Baxter and Reece Wabara who all impressed on their debuts in Saturday's 2-2 home draw against Notts County.
Dickov is looking forward with excitement declaring: "I firmly believe that the squad I have assembled is the strongest since I came to the club.
"And I think we will be a threat once they come together and have played together more."
Dickov added that the new arrivals, especially front pair Derbyshire and Baxter, give him options he didn't previously have.
Latics' manager is anticipating a tough match saying the Iron's win at Boundary Park last season remains etched in his memory.
"I have not forgotten how they came here and turned up over last season," he explained.
Though Scunthorpe are in the bottom four relegation places, Dickov views them as dangerous opponents after they secured their first league win of the season at Shrewsbury last Saturday.
"They have some good, attacking players and they play football the right way," he said.
Iron manager Alan Knill has reinforced his strikeforce with the loan additions of Leon Clarke and Karl Hawley.
Former Latics loanee Clarke, a player they tried to re-sign for a second time recently, has scored in both of his games for the Iron.
Dickov says he took lots of positive from Saturday's 2-2 draw, especially the way his side twice battled back after falling behind.
He explained: "There were lots of positive signs that that some of the football we played showed we are back on track.
"We can take a lot of confidence from our performance on Saturday.
"There is a buzz about the place as everybody knows we have brought in quality players.
"We go into the game full of confidence and the boys have the bit between their teeth."
The Iron won at npower Championship club Derby County in the Capital One Cup following a penalty shootout after the game finished in an incredible 5-5 draw.
That early-season optimism quickly disappeared as they then suffered six straight defeats - four in the league to occupy bottom spot and also reverses in the Capital One Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
The Iron halted their slide with a 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United a week last Saturday then last weekend triumphed at Shrewsbury Town as they have finally kick started their campaign.