During his playing days, David Dunn achieved the dreams of all aspiring footballers as he helped to end his local team **Blackburn Rovers**’ suffering in the second tier by taking them back to the Premier League, before playing a crucial role as they won the 2002 League Cup.
Dunn then transferred to Birmingham City in 2003 for £5.5 million, and although his spell at the Blues was spoiled by hamstring injuries, the midfielder was influential for them before he returned to Blackburn in 2007.
After a short spell at Oldham Athletic in 2015, Dunn retired from playing. He briefly managed The Latics, before returning to Ewood Park to manage Blackburn's U23's from 2018-2020. He later had a stint in charge of Barrow, but that was cut short after just 22 games at the helm.
Vavel had the privilege of asking David for his opinions on the past season in the EFL. When discussing the current situations of his former clubs, Dunn's affection for them was obvious as he spoke positively and passionately.
We started by discussing Birmingham City's historic season, and Dunn seemed very proud and happy to praise the accomplishments that they had achieved, as he said;
"Birmingham is buzzing right now. The new Ownership have done a great job with their investment and with the signings made, they have all delivered on their potential.
"Sometimes you can spend a lot and every team will be looking to get one over the big team, but Birmingham City have not let anything get in their way of winning the League.
"Credit to the Manager Chris Davies, who has done a brilliant job this season. I think he has managed the hype well and delivered a team week in week out to compete on the pitch. To get 111 points is no mean feat and this gives the whole team big confidence to start well next year in the Championship."
The ownership group which he mentioned includes NFL superstar Tom Brady, and famous faces can often bring unnecessary pressure and expectation for clubs. However, Dunn felt that having such a recognizable person in charge has benefits, stating;
"Having Tom Brady on board does help elevate the team, not daily, but knowing that this Club will want to push on and it means as players you want to be part of the journey, so give everything to the cause, to make sure, you are here to see it through. It’s a game of small margins and it does filter through for sure."
When looking to the future, Dunn seemed cautiously optimistic about the Blues' chances of following in the footsteps of Ipswich Town and securing back to back promotions.
"The Championship is a different beast to that of League 1, however, with this momentum and the Club are likely to invest again, there is no reason Birmingham City can’t mount a serious bid for the play-offs and promotion. The crowd are all on side, they have a good coach, good squad and with some fine tuning, can give next season a real go.'"
Embed from Getty Images
Switching to Blackburn Rovers, and once again Dunn spoke enthusiastically about his former sides’ recent successes and future chances.
"Two out the last three seasons Blackburn Rovers have finished 7th. So close to the play-offs, and in both cases, you never know what can happen in the play-offs as the team coming in with some form can get promoted.
"Full credit to the academy coaches at the club for keep on producing good young players and John Eustace did a good job as Head Coach before heading to Derby. I can see his reasoning, but it’s a shame as he has proven he is a good Coach and gets his players to play for him.
"The final day of the Championship season was a little agonising as Blackburn had got themselves in the play-offs for a while, but then once Sheffield United equalised, their chances had gone.
"It’s now important that the Club can recruit well, keep the top players and give the Manager backing. He has managed now for a while in the Championship, so must have a good understanding of what it takes to put together a competitive squad.
"There is always mentions of the Ownership, to be present at games, but they do seem to have the Club’s interest at heart. They have been knocking at the door for a few years now and just need to get a team together that can get over the line and into the Top 6, to give them a chance of promotion.
"With their rivals Burnley now back in the Premier League, there is more of an ambition to get Blackburn Rovers back in the big League."
After the relatively impressive campaigns of Blackburn and Birmingham, it is no surprise that Dunn sounded so confident and optimistic about their chances heading into next season.
Dunn was also quizzed on his thoughts ahead of the Championship and League One playoffs, and he offered us his insight and predictions ahead of the second legs.
"In the Championship, Sheffield United played an excellent game away at Bristol City and are favourites to get promoted at Wembley. Missing out on automatic promotion with a few games to go was probably a good thing, so they could re group and then look to go again. Chris Wilder is a good Coach and the win over Bristol City will have given them a lot of confidence to go to Wembley and get promoted.
*"In the other tie, I think Sunderland and Coventry will both fall short of doing enough to not only come through their 2nd leg, but beat Sheffield United.*
"Looking at League One, both first legs were draws and this wasn’t surprising for me. I don’t think there is a lot between all four teams Wycombe have been in the Championship the most recent, but I fancy Stockport County to win their second leg, get to Wembley and be promoted.
"They seem to have enough going forward and resilience in defence, so believe they can have enough to go up."
The second legs for the EFL playoff ties started with Sheffield United's victory over Bristol City on the 12th May, culminating on Saturday 17th May as AFC Wimbledon take on Notts County in League Two.
The playoff finals take place near the end of May. With the Championship Playoff Final on the 24th May commencing the action, followed by League One on the 25th May and League Two the next day on the 26th.