‘True pro’ Dunn handed Holden seal of approval

IMPRESSED: former Athletic winger Rick Holden is backing Dunn.

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ATHLETIC manager David Dunn has been backed to prosper in the job by one of the club’s all-time greats.

Unbeaten four games into his tenure as interim boss, the former Blackburn and England midfield man is understood to be already well thought of at board level for his work in reshaping the side.

Taking over from Darren Kelly after a 5-1 home thumping by Peterborough, Dunn’s actions seeme set to win him the job full time.

Under his guidance, Athletic have picked up four draws from tricky fixtures, three of them away.

His loan signings — Michael Higdon, Jay Fulton, Cameron Dummigan and Daniel Lafferty — hint at the sort of contacts that can be very useful for Athletic.

Former Athletic wing wizard Rick Holden, who crossed paths with Dunn when coaching at Barnsley a decade ago, says the 35 year old has the right mindset and work ethic for success.

“I was taking a reserve team at Barnsley to play at some non-league ground in the middle of nowhere and Dunn was playing for the Blues,” Holden wrote on his Facebook page.

“Despite the fact he was playing on a Wednesday afternoon in front of a few men and their dogs and with apprentices and academy lads, his attitude was first rate. He encouraged both sets of players and I thought this lad is a true pro. You have got someone who will give it 100 per cent, without question!”

Dummigan and fellow loan duo Jay Fulton and Simonas Stankevicius, will miss Saturday’s home clash with Scunthorpe due to international call-ups as Dunn works for his first win in charge.

The trio will be back with Athletic for the Sheffield United game on October 17.