Dunn Under No Illusions Ahead Of Saturday’s Game

Manager David Dunn is under no illusions to the task Barnsley pose, despite the Tykes suffering eight straight defeats in the league.

Saturday’s visitors Barnsley find themselves in 23rd position, but the gaffer knows their current run and league position count for nothing on Saturday.

He said: “One thing is for sure, just because Barnsley have been beaten eight league games in a row, after watching them a couple of times, I think they are in a false position there.

“They have got some very good players and they are a good side so one thing we will be drumming home is that just because they have been beat and they are on a bad run, don’t think they will be a walkover.

“The games we’ve watched, they could have won or drawn the games so we have got to be very careful that we don’t have that mindset that we will walk all over them because we are certainly not.

“If we set up right and the lads show the same determination, they are aggressive and have the same work ethic then it will make it easier but by no means is this going to be an easy game, it’s going to be tough.”

The game already has added spice due to former Latics boss Lee Johnson returning to SportsDirect.com Park for the second time since departing in February 2015.

"The fans will get excited about it because he’s an ex-manager and they want to get one over on him. I will not prepare any differently to what I do for any other team,” Dunn admitted.

"I want to set our team out and give ourselves the best preparation to go on and get the three points on Saturday. All the other stuff going on behind the scenes doesn’t interest me at all.”

The 35-year-old has Cameron Dummigan back after international duty and Jay Fulton is back eligible to play this weekend but with back to back wins, it might not be easy to break back into the starting 11.

“It’s a good selection headache,” said Dunn. “At least they are back fit and compared with what we had at the away tie with Mansfield Town, we had six or seven lads who would have started the game not available and now we are getting everyone back.

"Three or four of the injury lads are coming back. Jake Cassidy is back in contention now and he might be available for the Crewe game so we are getting back.

“Jones might be back for either this weekend, Southend or definitely Crewe Alexandra so we are getting all the lads back in contention which is very good.

“The competition for places is important and I think the lads who have come in have done well.”

Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.