David Dunn is eyeing a first away victory of the season at Gillingham on Saturday, despite the Gills chasing promotion, and boasting a 100% home record so far.
Gillingham sit third in the League One table, and have won all five of their Priestfield encounters – including a 5-1 demolition of Fleetwood Town in midweek.
Meanwhile, The Latics occupy 18th place and have won just once in 18 league matches since the end of March, and interim boss Dunn is keen to end a run of three successive draws since taking over.
“If the last few results are anything to go by, I would put a 1-1 on!” joked Dunn, who remains upbeat despite murmurs of displeasure among the Athletic fanbase.
“Hopefully, with Gillingham’s 100% record, we can create a few problems for them and get the result we all want.
“There are a lot of positives to take – we’ve moved up two places in the two weeks I’ve been in charge, so that tells me about mid-January we should be in the number one spot!
“There’s a lot to be positive about. We’re progressing in the right way and the right manner.”
Since taking the reins at Boundary Park, Dunn has given the Latics starting 11 a complete facelift, with goalkeeper David Cornell and forward Dominic Poleon among those reinstated.
The former has impressed enough to cement his place for the weekend’s clash, and Poleon has forged a strong partnership with loanee Michael Higdon that gives Dunn another outlet going forward.
“David’s done well for us,” said the 35-year-old.
“He certainly kept us in the game against Wigan.
“Higdon and Poleon are working together. The big fella likes having Dom around him – he’s lively and is probably the only player in the side with that raw pace.
“We’re very positive down at the training ground. Of course, there are things we need to get better at and improve but we’re moving in the right direction.”
Dunn admits he could rotate the squad as they approach three games in seven days, and has an almost fully fit list to pick from with only Jake Cassidy, Eoghan O’Connell and Jonathan Forte out injured.
Justin Edinburgh is not expected to make drastic changes to his Gillingham side, with Ryan Jackson his only fresh injury concern after picking up a knock against Fleetwood.
Image courtesy of Oldham Athletic, via Youtube, with thanks.
