The boy Dunne good - PDC impressed with new U's boss (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SWINDON TOWN: The boy Dunne good - PDC impressed with new U's boss

6:00am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Sport

PAOLO Di Canio may have been impressed by the impact Colchester boss Joe Dunne has made in the first week of his new job, but he does not expect the 39-year-old to turn the Essex club’s fortunes around in the immediate future.

Dunne succeeded John Ward as U’s boss last week and made a superb start by masterminding a 3-1 victory over Hartlepool at the Weston Homes Community Stadium - Colchester’s first win of the season.

The former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international has made an impression on Di Canio by showing an instant intent both to get his side playing fast-flowing, attractive football and to revamp the mentality of his squad in a bid to haul them out of a rut in form.

However, Di Canio said Dunne is no miracle worker and that he would struggle to see his wholesale changes pay maximum dividends for a long time to come.

“It will take time to find the mechanism when you completely change the system but we saw straight away a good and positive effect from his revolution,” he said.

“When you’re doing a revolution like he did it can have a very bad effect if you have seven or eight old footballers that decide things in the dressing room, but maybe the dressing room can react very well because there is more meritocracy.

“The result was good, they came back from 1-0 down, they scored three goals, all with desire and determination, two goals were scored by the new guy that we saw in here against MK Dons, they’ve signed three players in the last few days and there is a lot of enthusiasm.

“In terms of mechanisms not even God can change it, not even in five months or six months, even two years at the top level - you can imagine at this level.

“With all respect to Dunne, he could be the next Mourinho because I don’t know him, but not even God can change things in three months.

“But the enthusiasm can be more important than systems.

“When you start, if you have players who believe in what you ask them to do - even if something goes wrong - enthusiasm can have more effect.

“He has some young ones in the squad who have desire to come out and be top footballers, someone has played in the top level.

“They’re still young and with very good talent. If this man sells enthusiasm and lets them believe they can be protagonists in this league and then come back at the top level, that I think can have a big effect.

“I don’t know him but I’m sure he’s going to work in this way.

“He made a sort of revolution in terms not only of pushing out some famous players but he’s sent messages out everywhere that he wants to change completely the mentality of the squad and the shape and the system.

“They played with a different system, 4-3-3, attacking-minded football, more positive, they sent the email to all the fans to say they would completely change their football.

“He is a young guy, he’s got enthusiasm and probably was frustrated there under Ward because if you see straight away that he sent that message away.

”The collaboration, with all respect, I don’t think was completely very good but this is my opinion and nothing against him.”

Di Canio said that he has a fully-fit squad available for the clash.

Dunne is sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Mark Cousins, who dislocated his finger against Hartlepool but should be fit. If Cousins is ruled out Carl Pentney is set to make his debut in goal.