Bunn wants that winning feeling back at Athletic

Manager Frankie Bunn is working hard at trying to re-build a winning culture at Athletic.

A month into his new role in the Boundary Park hot seat, Bunn and his assistant Andy Rhodes are encouraged by what they've seen from the players since pre-season training resumed.

There were also plenty of positives emerging from Tuesday night's 3-1 win at Ashton United in the opening close-season friendly match.

Bunn said: “We are trying to put our stamp onto things, and we are perhaps changing people’s mindset.

“We want to introduce a bit of culture into what we want to do.

“So far the players have been very responsive.

“Obviously change is a difficult thing to deal with, but we’re overcoming that and the lads are taking things on board.

“In terms of the work we want them to do, they’ve responded well.

“We are trying to introduce a winning culture here if we can, that’s so important.

“We’re trying to enjoy ourselves and just play with a bit of freedom, so players can express themselves.

“Confidence will then come with results and good performances.

“First and foremost, though, we’ve got to start performing well on the pitch and then we’ll try and get that identity we’re now looking for.

“Every footballer has a winning mentality in themselves, like if you went to a footballer’s house and played dominoes, he’d want to win.

“What we’ve got to do is sustain that mentality and grow it so it becomes second nature, and we don’t give up on anything.

“Players need to chase, to harry, to win challenges, and that kind of mentality will win us football matches."

Bunn was pleased with Tuesday's routine victory against National League North side Ashton, handed to them thanks to goals from Peter Clarke, trialist Jonathan Benteke and Jose Baxter.

The Athletic boss said: "I thought the lads did what they had to do. 

“It was just a fitness exercise, the first game, and we’re trying to implement our ideas.

“That’s what we’re going to work through for the whole pre-season.

"Change is sometimes difficult to implement, but I think we showed some good characteristics.

"It was our first step towards what we’re trying to achieve, and it’s a step in the right direction.”

Athletic travel to the Tameside Stadium on Saturday to take on Curzon Ashton in their second pre-season match (3pm kick-off).

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.