Dunn trains his sight on Boro

David Dunn in flight against Walsall

BUOYED by a fine cameo display at Walsall, midfield maestro David Dunn is convinced there are good times ahead in an Athletic shirt, starting with tomorrow’s Capital One Cup-tie at home to Middlesbrough.

Dunn, who recently signed a one-year deal with Latics after a long and distinguished career at Blackburn Rovers, has been encouraged by what he has seen so far at SportsDirect.com Park.

Saturday’s Sky Bet League One opener saw Athletic secure a satisfactory draw at Walsall, Dunn playing a key role as a second-half substitute. Replacing Carl Winchester, Dunn showed his experience and class to pull the strings in a fightback from 1-0 down.

He said: “We started slowly and sloppily, but as the game progressed we came into it and the momentum was with us by the end. It was a reasonable start to the season.”

Now Dunn has set his sights on beating the odds in tomorrow’s cup-tie against Boro: “Middlesbrough, budget-wise, are chalk and cheese compared to us. But we will go out there and, you never know, we might upset them.

Dunn enjoyed a famous victory in the competition with Blackburn in 2002: “Not too long ago I won it, so I know what the experience is like. It was one of the highlights of my career. It's one of those competitions in which you can find yourself progressing quite sharply if you pick up a few wins.”

Of his own game, Dunn is certain he can build on Saturday’s promising start. And he says he is happy to embrace his new surroundings after being with Blackburn for most of his career.

“It has been good,” said Dunn. “Coming into new surroundings is like being married for 20 years then meeting a new girlfriend. It’s a little bit strange, but something I'm really enjoying.

“I have only been training four or five days and I need to get a little bit fitter. But I'm really enjoying it and I am sure I can have a positive impact.”