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Dickov refuses to defend Latics

Image: Dickov: Blunt criticism

Oldham manager Paul Dickov said it was difficult to defend his players after seeing them go down 4-1 at Bournemouth.

Lewis Grabban struck a hat-trick for Bournemouth and Charlie Daniel scored their fourth with an 81st-minute header before Matt Smith got an 86th-minute consolation for Oldham, whose latest setback was their third in succession to Dickov seething. Dickov said: "The second half was embarrassing. To concede goals like that was embarrassing and we can't blame anyone but ourselves. I said to my players if you are mentally weak it does not matter how good a player you are. "If they do not concentrate for 90 minutes they might as well not be there. I think they are all good players, but I have to question their mentality. "I come out here to defend my players, but I look a bit stupid backing them after that. Bournemouth are a top team, but we cannot use that as an excuse for our second-half performance. "A lot of my players say they want to play in the Championship, but you could see why they are not."

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