We don’t want to lose you, Danny

Photo: Vincent Brown

PLENTY TO PONDER . . . Athletic boss David Dunn says his side need to be “more ruthless in both boxes” after yesterday’s defeat

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DAVID Dunn is determined to hang on to Danny Philliskirk as he tries to rebuild ailing Athletic.

Reports of a rejected £75,000 bid for Athletic’s seven-goal top scorer from Sky Bet League One rivals Blackpool emerged before yesterday’s home defeat to Doncaster.

But amid talk that the deal was mainly scuppered by a refusal to countenance payment in instalments, Dunn said he was in the dark about any offer — if a genuine bid was tabled at all.

“I have not heard personally from anyone at the club, so whether it is mischief making or not I don’t know,” said Athletic’s manager.

“As manager, I’d like to think I would know if an offer came in for one of my players. But I have not been told, so can only assume it’s paper talk. “Of course I wouldn’t want to lose Philly — not in a million years. We are trying to build here. I said when I came here it will take time. It will take a couple of transfer windows to get sorted. But we certainly don’t want to lose one of our better players.”

While not wanting to lose Philliskirk, whose contract expires in the summer, Dunn is looking to make deals in the transfer window, which reopens on New Year’s Day.

After witnessing calamitous defending in the 2-1 loss to Rovers, a centre-back with aerial ability remains a clear priority.

“How often have we said we want a really dominant centre-back?” said Dunn “Are there any out there? I am sure there are but we will have to work really hard with our budget to get the right one in.”

Athletic replied to two first-half goals from Andy Williams with one from Rhys Murphy, back from a loan to Crawley.

Dunn felt his men competed well in the game generally, but paid the price again for slack defending.

“I am extremely disappointed,” added Dunn. “We controlled the game for large parts, but once again, they were two bad goals to give away. Individual errors are costing us and we end up chasing the game because of it.”

“We need to be more ruthless in both boxes. As disappointed as they were, the fans clapped off the lads. In terms of desire and enthusiasm and passion. I am so desperate to improve our home form.”