Dunn demands flying start to dent Barnsley confidence

Game changer . . . Giorgio Rasulo has made a huge impact.

ATHLETIC will go for the jugular right from the off against Barnsley tomorrow, as boss David Dunn contemplates throwing on teenager Giorgio Rasulo from the start.

As he aims to make it three successive victories, Dunn will impress on his players the opportunity to put an early dent in the confidence of Lee Johnson’s visitors, who arrive at SportsDirect.com Park on the back of eight straight league defeats.

On-loan MK Dons forward Rasulo has had a major impact in coming off the bench to inspire the recent wins over Chesterfield and Mansfield.

Dunn’s instinct is to be cautious over throwing the 18-year-old in from the off — but it could prove to be too tempting.

“I know from playing that when a side is going through a bad run, that first goal and getting off to a good start is important,” Dunn said.

DIFFERENCE

“Their heads may go down if we can get off to a flyer.

“But certainly from their games I have watched recently, if you didn’t know the league table then you certainly wouldn’t think they are where they are.

“With Giorgio, you can see out there how, when he comes on, he can lift it. With just one outside of the foot pass the other night, you could feel the difference in the crowd.

“Everyone got on the edge of their seats and he is one of those kind of players.

“He gives us something else, giving defenders different problems to having two centre-forwards up against them.

“Centre-backs in this division are quite aggressive and try to win everything. They love heading it.

“When they have a little guy coming off them, getting turned and playing people in, do they like that as much? I am not sure they do.”

Dunn could have David Cornell back on the bench, with the goalkeeper resuming training yesterday after dislocating a finger.

Joel Coleman has stepped back in and his manager feels the rest has done the youngster good.

“When Dai (Cornell) came in he was saving us quite a lot. He was very comfortable in there,” Dunn added.

“Since Joel has come back he has been the same. I stand by my decision when I brought him out of the team. I did it for a reason and spoke to him about that.

“I think I have been proven right. He did need a breather.

“He is only a young boy and they need bringing out at times. It happens with all young players, or it should do.”

Elsewhere in the squad, Mike Jones (ankle) should be in contention for the Southend match on Tuesday, while centre forward Jake Cassidy’s resumption of training could see him involved in some way in the game at Crewe tomorrow week.

INTEREST

Meanwhile, Dunn said that reported interest in Preston midfield talent Josh Brownhill may be revisited when he bids to make changes to the squad when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.

“Josh is a player I rate highly and it nearly happened a while back,” said Dunn.

“But we haven’t really touched upon it for a while. We have a few little things going on but we need a few out before we can do too much.

“It will probably be January before we can do that.”

Athletic (probable, 4-4-1-1): Coleman; Dummigan, J Wilson, B Wilson, Mills; Philliskirk, Kelly, Fulton, Yeates; Rasulo; Poleon. Subs (from): Cornell, Brown, Eckersley, Vassell, Dieng, Winchester, Byrnes, Fuller, Higdon.