There’s no place like home for JB
JOE Bunney returned to Rochdale this week and insisted it’s “good to be home” after heading back to the Crown Oil Arena for a second spell.
Dale boss Keith Hill had made no secret of the fact he wanted a new left-back and swooped for Bunney, who signed on loan from Northampton Town until the end of the season, just 12 months after leaving to join the Cobblers.
“I don’t feel like I’ve left really – it’s only been a year,” said Bunney.
“I’ve not had a lot of football in that year, so it’s good to be home!
“In my first season as a professional I was promoted here. I’ve had a lot of good memories, good cup runs, played with some good players that have gone on to do good things.
“I’ve still got a lot of friends here. I still speak to the lads from when I was here and get on with everyone. It’s a great club and I’m happy to be back.”
The 25-year-old is thankful to manager Hill for giving him the opportunity to return to the Crown Oil Arena, and says he is ready for the fight against relegation.
“I know what the manager expects from his players – to work hard.
“Hopefully, I can come in and I don’t have to take time to settle in and I can hit the ground running.
“I know he believes in me and in what I can do. I trust him and he trusts me. He knows I’ll work hard for him.
“I’m definitely ready for the fight. I wouldn’t have come here if I wasn’t.
“Hopefully I can bring some confidence into the lads, play well and start picking up points to move us up the table.
“I brought a lot of assists when I was here last time and a lot of attacking play, but I think I’ve improved defensively.
“Over the last year, when I have been frustrated, I’ve been working on things in training. I kick us up the table.” think I’m better defensively Bunney’s return on now than I was Thursday’s transfer deadline when I left. day came 24 hours
“I’ll bring a lot of attacking after the loan signing of promise, get some Rekeil Pyke. assists and hopefully get The forward joined the us up the table.” club until the end of the
Bunney left the Club to season from Premier join Northampton Town League side Huddersfield. in January 2018, a move Pyke, 21, came through he says felt right at the the youth ranks at the time. Terries, having joined the
“I’d been here a long club when he was 11 years time and I was grateful for old, and was offered professional everything the club did for terms in 2015. me whilst I was here. Since then, he has
“But I felt it was the time gained experience while for me to move on. It was a out on loan at Colchester big risk to move away, and United, Port Vale and I didn’t cope with it very most recently Wrexham well, if I’m honest. AFC, where he returned
“I’m back in the north for a second spell at the now. I’ve been at Blackpool start of the 2018/19 season. the new challenge and can’t wait to get started.” was extended until the but injury has got in He has been an everpresent seeing what the rest of the Meanwhile, Fulham end of the season earlier the way of playing a lot of in the Dragons’ season brings,” said Pyke. have recalled goalkeeper this month. games. side that are pushing for “It’s a step up in the Magnus Norman from his The 22-year-old made
“I’m back here now to promotion from the leagues for me so I’m relishing loan spell at Rochdale. 12 appearances during his get some games under National League. the opportunity to Norman joined on loan time at the Crown Oil my belt and hopefully “I’m looking forward to play in League One and I in August, a deal which Arena.
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