Dunn hopes AFC can pass the test against Forest Green

The Bluebirds boss says his side and Mark Cooper’s men are the leading possession teams in League Two.

Cooper’s fifth-placed visitors are renowned for their keenness to dominate the ball and test the patience of opponents.

The Bluebirds are also known as a passing side and boss Dunn expects a high-quality contest at the Progression Solicitors Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

“From what we’ve watched, and with the stats that came back the other day, we’re probably the two highest passers in the league,” Dunn said.

“They’re going to be a tough team, and it’s going to be a good game. We’ll have to be at our very best.

“A lot of Mark Cooper’s teams I’ve seen in the past certainly like to play. Forest Green will be no different.”

Dunn is familiar with a number of players in the opposition ranks, including Carl Winchester, who was with Dunn at Oldham.

Attacking midfielder Odin Bailey, who is on loan from Birmingham, is also a player 18th-placed AFC have watched, having come through the Blues ranks with Barrow loanee Jayden Reid.

AFC are without Josh Kay to suspension today with Lewis Hardcastle, Tom Beadling and James Jones again set to miss out as they fight back from injuries.

“The lads are back out there now, they’re on the grass, returning from injury and hopefully won’t be far away,” Dunn said.

AFC are yet to lose at home in the league, and Dunn hopes the positivity arising from their performance and last-gasp goal at high-flying Cambridge last weekend can roll over into their hectic run of home games, with today’s fixture the first of three at Holker Street in six days.

“It was great to score in the last minute, but it was just what we deserved – and more than results at times, it’s the performances you can see,” said Dunn, who has the ability to make five substitutions in today’s game after this week’s EFL rule change.

“Anyone that watches us can certainly see what we’re trying to do. I won’t say it always goes to plan but most people that know about football would certainly look to our team and know what we’re trying to do, how we’re trying to play.

“I was really pleased for them last week. If we’d come away from there having not picked a point up I’d have been disappointed.

“I thought the lads that started played ever so well and the lads that came off the bench made an impact, which was important.

“When I’m making substitutions, we need to know they’re ready. Sometimes lads can get disappointed if they’re not in the starting XI and shape, but you’ve always got TO concentrate – you might be needed after five minutes.”