Latics boss’s selection poser for derby showdown

PUT IT THERE . . . Dominic Poleon celebrates his goal against Gillingham at the start of October. He is one of several options in attack for Athletic manager David Dunn.

CRUNCH calls are again the order of the day as Athletic hunt down back-to-back victories for the first time since their last victory over this weekend’s opponent, Rochdale.

For the team’s most recent win - 2-1 against Swindon - Brian Wilson and Michael Higdon were preferred to Timothee Dieng and Dominic Poleon in the starting line-up. Dunn admitted both selections were tough on the losers.

Jonathan Burn returns from suspension at Spotland to add more steel at the back, leaving Athletic’s manager with another headache. The loan defender was banned for the Swindon game and Brian Wilson did a solid job in his place, Dieng replacing him towards the end and also barely putting a foot wrong.

Up front the current system dictates only one main striker will be fielded at Rochdale — meaning Ricardo Fuller and either Higdon or Poleon will be forced to watch from the subs’ bench.

“Dominic Poleon has been playing really well — but I am in this job to make tough decisions,” said Dunn.

“And it wasn’t just Dom. I went with Brian Wilson instead of Tim Dieng, which was arguably a toss-up as well. Tim will have been disappointed he wasn’t playing, but look at his reaction when he came on.

“That is what we want: characters who will show a really good attitude even from the bench.”

Fuller and Lee Croft were also left out on Tuesday in a game Dunn felt Athletic controlled in all areas of the pitch. But Dunn knows Rochdale will be a tougher nut to crack on Saturday.

“We are very resilient at the moment and we look like we are going to create chances, which is really good,” Dunn added. “There is a big job to do here and hopefully, Swindon is the first of many.”