Get real

GET REAL, says David Dunn.

Sarcastic chanting prompts manager to hit out at fans’ expectation levels

DAVID Dunn launched an impassioned and forthright plea for unity after sarcastic chanting in the away end at Chesterfiled riled the Athletic manager.

When a goal down at the Proact Stadium, Carl Winchester’s effort on target in the 65th minute drew a chant of “Oldham’s had a shot” from the visiting supporters.

And there was also a rendition of “let’s pretend we scored a goal”, which came before an equaliser from Dominic Poleon that ended an attacking drought that had lasted for more than five-and-a-half hours.

Dunn’s side went on to win thanks to a goal credited to Danny Philliskirk, maintaining an unbeaten run away from home in Sky Bet League One this season.

But in post-match interviews, the 35-year-old Dunn detailed at length his feelings on negative attitudes directed at the club from within.

And he made it clear his belief that the amount of hard work being put in behind the scenes deserves more credit.

“The feeling around the club at times is a little bit negative, as I have said before,” said Dunn, whose side now sit 18th in the League One table ahead of a run of three straight home fixtures.

“I thought with the away fans, though they were very noisy, there was an element of sarcasm in the stuff they were coming out with which is a little bit disappointing.

“This is the start of a new beginning and we want to go on and create something that lasts.

“We are not in 1992 now, when Oldham were in the Premier League. The club has changed and it isn’t the same place as it was 20-odd years ago.

“From what I gather, it took Joe Royle eight years to change it round. I fancy myself doing it a bit quicker.

“I can’t fault them (the fans) — they come away and at home they turn up every week. And I am sure there hasn’t been much to cheer about in recent weeks.

“But I think we need to pull together now. It is an important time for us and a new beginning for a young manager and young coaches. We are really enthusiastic about the club and we want to do well.

“It might be a minority out there who play on their computers, who may win a couple of leagues on there and think that this is easy-peasy. I can assure you it is not.

“I hate to mention budgets, but we are coming across clubs who have three, four, up to 10 times our budget. It does matter.

“We are batting way above what we should do at times. Where have we finished in the last couple of years, 15th? So why is the expectation we should be winning the league every year? I don’t get it.

“We need to all stick together as a club. One thing is for sure, we are working our socks off every day and I wish people could really see that.

“It does irritate me at times. People don’t see it and think they can come on a Saturday and take the mickey out of us.

“I don’t think they realise how much we want to win. Of course we will have ups and downs at the club, because we are where we are.”