Boss Dunn positive despite cup exit

Photo: PICTURE by ALAN HOWARTH

BIG CHANCE . . . Jake Cassidy watches as his header bounces up off the turf and flies over the crossbar.

ATHLETIC boss David Dunn is confident his side will soon begin a march up the ladder in Sky Bet League One.

Despite the anguish of seeing a 1-0 exit from the FA Cup against 10-man Sheffield United, Dunn felt the side’s performance was a world away from the previous week’s display at Crewe.

It was a fourth defeat in a row for Athletic, who saw Danny Philliskirk hit a post and Jake Cassidy miss with a free header.

A host of players come back into the squad for the final home game before Christmas against Millwall on Saturday. Michael Higdon, Jay Fulton, Richie Wellens and re-signed full-back Cameron Dummigan could all return.

And Dunn wants more of the same, albeit with a touch more composure at both ends of the field.

“Everything we lacked against Crewe, we had. It was just disappointing we conceded a sloppy goal,” Dunn said after the game. “At the same time, we controlled quite a lot of the game and had good chances to score.

“If we play like that most weeks, I am really confident we will climb the table — no doubt about it.”