Coley thrilled by Jimmy’s passion
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman hasn’t seen many young players with ‘passion’ like Jimmy Dunne.
The centre-half starred in Stanley’s 1-1 draw at Barnet, earning the penalty for Billy Kee’s equaliser and twice denying John Akinde with lastditch, goal-saving interventions.
Coleman has been blown away by the Burnley loanee’s attitude since joining the club in early January.
He said: “I thought Jimmy was absolutely outstanding at Barnet.
“It’s rare to see a lad who comes in on loan be so young and so passionate. Players have got to feed off that.
“He’s a nice lad, he wants success for this club. He knows we want promotion and he wants it as well.
“That’s a good trait in someone.”
Dunne’s seventh Stanley start pitted him against Barnet battering ram John Akinde, a challenge he rose to despite several flashpoints.
There were question marks over the penalty award for the leveller, Manchester United trainee Dunne hauled down by Dan Sweeney.
Coleman, whose side were unable to extend their unbeaten run to its fifth game, felt Barnet’s dirty tricks at set pieces justified the referee’s decision to point to the spot.
He said: “We didn’t have many chances in the first-half, we didn’t start the best.
“We had a couple of scrambled efforts across their goal and felt we should have had a penalty for handball at a free-kick.
“Thankfully the referee stood firm and we deservedly got a penalty. We must have been pushed and pulled in the box around four or five times.”
Stanley conceded ground in the race for League Two promotion, the remainder of the top four winning at the weekend to leave them five points behind Luton Town in third.
They have had a clear week to prepare for the visit of managerless Cambridge United to the Wham Stadium.
Joe Dunne is in temporary charge of the U’s after the dismissal of Shaun Derry.
Coleman was grateful for a free week after the long haul of a journey to North London to face the Bees.
He said: “The games really have come thick and fast. When you’re on a roll you don’t mind that but whatever ways you dress it up, it’s a long weekend.
“We need them as fresh as possible with 13 games to go - 13 cup finals.
“It was a cup final at Barnet and at one stage they were winning the cup, but we managed to get something out of the game.”
‘He knows we want promotion and he wants it as well’