Bunn looks to keep on improving

Three months into his role as Athletic boss, Frankie Bunn has revealed that his first full-time managerial tilt has been a ‘big learning curve’.

The 55-year-old replaced Richie Wellens on June 13, having left his most recent role as a development coach at Huddersfield in December 2017.

Former Boundary Park playing star Bunn previously held coaching roles at Wigan Athletic, Coventry City, Manchester City and Rochdale.

However, it sounds like his first hot seat task has been something of an eye-opener.

Bunn said: “It has been a big learning curve and something that will stay with us all.

“We’re looking to improve each week and we’ll never settle for what we’ve got.

“We’re looking to improve not only the players, but ourselves too.

“We look back and reflect on things we can all do better, and hopefully we’ll all continue to move forward as a group.

“All the staff have dealt with things really well. We’ve kept our discipline, and things that have had to be dealt with in-house, have been.

“We’ve all conducted ourselves really well.

“Football is a beautiful game.

“It was frustrating last week – the only thing missing for us was a goal or two.

“I am proud of how the lads have performed, though.”

Bunn was referring to last Saturday’s unlucky 1-0 home defeat by high-flying Newport.

Athletic will hope to bounce back from that disappointment by winning at struggling Grimsby this coming Saturday.

The Mariners were thumped 4-0 at Bury while Athletic were being edged out by Newport.

“The positive for us against Newport was the performance,” added Bunn.

“I thought we played well, we just didn’t get the result we wanted.

“We’ll be looking to bounce back as quickly as possible.

“There will be a reaction from Grimsby I’m sure, but I also want to see a reaction from my players as well.

“Even though we performed well against Newport, it was a result we want to put right.

“We’re refreshed again now, everyone’s in good spirits, so we want to kick on again now.”

A victory at Blundell Park could lift Athletic back into the League Two play-off places.

---

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.