Signings hope for Latics

Photo: Alan Howarth

ATHLETIC manager David Dunn gets his point across during Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Millwall.

BOSS David Dunn is determined shake off the disappointment of another loss by bringing in new players this week.

Athletic’s club record run of home games without a win was extended to 12 as Millwall gained a fortunate 2-1 win.

Steve Morison’s late header did the damage, leaving Dunn with nothing to show for a stirring second-half display in which a Mike Jones goal provided a platform for a victory push.

Instead, Athletic find themselves further adrift in the relegation zone. In 22nd place and with only one game in hand over Shrewsbury in 20th, Dunn’s side is five points shy of safety.

Richie Wellens slipped the net late on Friday by opting to sign for the Shrews on an 18-month deal in favour of the contract put to him by Athletic.

Dunn told the Chronicle last night the club is “very close” to getting things right — and that he hopes to add new men, ideally this week, to start the climb out of the bottom-four. The season still has 22 games to play.

“We know the budget and what we are up against. There are teams in this division with huge budgets,” said Dunn’s assistant Dean Holden, speaking after the game.

“We are getting offered players left, right and centre wanting huge money. We can’t compete.

“It’s a little frustrating, but it means we have to be clever and creative, which we are trying to be. We can get lads in who are out of contract or on trial.

“Performances are improving, game on game in the last three weeks. But we need to start backing that up with points.”

Holden said Athletic’s performances have been building and he believes despite the pressure Dunn has faced with talk of his job being under threat, stability is key.

“There is a huge run of games to come. There is half a season,” Holden added.

“We now have some momentum performance-wise and we are hoping to get a settled system and settled team.”

Lee Croft was a late withdrawal from the squad which faced the Lions on Saturday, due to a recurrence of an ankle injury in training. Jonathan Forte made an unexpected return from injury and managed a final 25 minutes run out.