Boss Dunn has food for thought

Starting role for on-loan Fulton as Latics look to hit back

JAY Fulton is nailed-on to start against Southend tomorrow, as Athletic’s manager David Dunn tries to make amends for the worst 45 minutes of his management career to date.

A third defeat in the last five Sky Bet League One fixtures on home soil came about partly due to a dreadful first half, in which confidence-free Barnsley went 1-0 up and also struck a post.

Dunn accepted afterwards that his team selection in the latest tale of woe on home turf would come under scrutiny.

Fulton was terrific as a half-time substitute, the Scot helping to inspire a recovery to 1-1 only for a last-gasp winner for the Tykes to puncture the bubble of optimism created after two wins in a row against Chesterfield and Mansfield in the FA Cup.

But with the on-loan Swansea man not playing in either of those outings — he was away with Scotland’s under-21s the night before the game at the Proact Stadium and reluctant to become cup-tied for the Stags replay — Dunn felt it was fair to keep faith with Timothee Dieng in his role alongside skipper Liam Kelly.

“Jay was very good when he came on. We know what a good player he is — but unfortunately, he has not played in the last two when we have won,” said Dunn.

“Of course, he was disappointed not to play against Barnsley, but he understood fully.

“It is food for thought, isn’t it?

“We are trying to get a culture at this football club where we reward people who are doing well.

“Off the back of two wins, if I had made any changes that I would have felt were harsh on people, what message does that send?

“It is easy in hindsight to look back and say I should have put certain players back in.”

Cameron Dummigan did come back into the side in favour of Richard Eckersley and was the stand-out player at right-back, but Giorgio Rasulo — in from the off for Michael Higdon — failed to have the level of impact he has recently managed as a substitute.

Dunn wasn’t in the mood to make excuses over the Barnsley defeat, even despite feeling aggrieved over an apparent trip on scorer Mark Yeates inside the penalty area in the first half that saw penalty appeals waved away by referee Graham Salisbury.

“There were times when we were gaining momentum and it didn’t quite go our way, as with the penalty incident,” added Dunn, whose side have managed to score twice at home in a league game only once this season. That was in the 4-2 loss to Scunthorpe.

Dunn went on: “But we can’t play like we did in the first half and expect to get away with it.

“In terms of squads, Barnsleys is very competitive and should be doing a lot better. I said that to the players before the game.

“The first 45 minutes was just awful, let’s be fair.

“We were second to everything. We pride ourselves on being hard to beat, winning individual battles all over the pitch and dominating teams. We didn’t do that and it was no surprise we went 1-0 down.

“In the second half, it was a different story.”

ATHLETIC fans have until 5pm today to claim a £5 ticket for tomorrow’s Southend game.

Purchases must be made through www.eticketing.co.uk/oafc or by calling 0161 7855150.