David Dunn believes this weekend is the perfect time for a local derby, after finally recording his first win as Oldham boss away at managerless Swindon on Tuesday night.
Mike Jones curled in a stunning first-half opener for Latics, only for Nicky Ajose to equalise five minutes from time. But Danny Philliskirk netted two minutes later to bring home only Oldham’s second win of the campaign.
Finally off the mark with his first ever managerial victory, Dunn says Saturday’s derby clash at Rochdale is a golden opportunity for his side to push on.
“Local derbies are fantastic games for everyone,” said Dunn as Spotland prepares for an invasion of 2,500 Latics fans.
“I shouldn’t really have to do too much motivating ahead of the game – it should certainly make my job a lot easier!
“I know Keith Hill well. He’s done a fantastic job and it will be a tough game: he always has competitive teams.”
With the difficult first win now in the bag, Dunn refuses to get carried away and next on the agenda is making sure his players face the local derby with the same mindset as any other game.
Rochdale sit 10th in League One, seven places above Oldham, but have struggled of late and are winless in the league in October.
“It will be whoever has the most desire, whoever wants to go and do the basics right. Usually that’s the case in derbies,” said a composed Dunn as he sets his sights on climbing up the table.
“If we work hard like we have been doing, we stand a chance. I don’t want to get carried away.
“You want to play football to play in atmospheres like this. We should all enjoy the intensity and the rivalry between the two sets of fans.”
The 35-year-old faces no new injury concerns and Jonathan Burn returns to the fold following a one-match suspension.
Image courtesy of Oldham Athletic via YouTube, with thanks.
