Thursday 10 November 2011 15:08, UK
Oldham manager Paul Dickov has paid tribute to Paul Gerrard after the veteran stepped in to solve his goalkeeping crisis.
Gerrard - Oldham's full-time goalkeeping coach - was called into action from the bench to make his first Latics appearance since 1996 when Alex Cisak was sent off against Bury last weekend. The 38-year-old sent Boundary Park into raptures as he saved a penalty with his first touch and, although Dickov's men slipped to a 2-0 derby loss, he returned to marshal Oldham to a 3-1 Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Crewe on Tuesday night. "He's been fantastic," said Dickov ahead of Gerrard's expected return to the bench for the FA Cup tie against Burton. "When you're watching him you can hear how vocal he is as well and that's a big, big plus for our back four. "It's not surprised me because he trains his socks off everyday. He's got a great attitude. As well as being a top goalkeeping coach he's still a top goalkeeper - as he's proved."
