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Dover Athletic skipper James Dunne doesn’t want to simply see his career out as he discusses improving how Whites defend set-pieces and his relationship with boss Mitch Brundle

Captain James Dunne doesn’t want to simply see his career peter out at Dover.

The experienced midfielder has been given the armband by boss Mitch Brundle.

Dover skipper James Dunne in action during his Welling days. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC
Dover skipper James Dunne in action during his Welling days. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC

Dunne, 33, got his first competitive goal for them from the penalty spot in a 1-1 home draw against Braintree last weekend.

“I’m not here to see out my career,” said Dunne.

“I don’t want to see out my career and just have fun. I want to win games.

“Hopefully, the club does well. If you look at the people in the changing room, there’s some very good players in there.

“It’s about getting the best out of them week in, week out and maybe, if we do, something might happen this season.”

‘That’s the thing I’m most proud of’

Report: Dover 1-1 Braintree

His spot-kick earned Whites a point after they again had come from behind, with the visitors scoring from a sixth-minute corner.

“We need to sort set-pieces out because, in all the games, it’s not been good enough,” admitted Dunne.

“Even last Tuesday [at Tonbridge, a 1-0 loss], they had 14 corners and 13 were their touches first, which isn’t good enough in your own box.

“You need to defend your own box with your life. We have got to get better with that.”

Frontman Zidan Sutherland had failed to convert a spot-kick at Longmead but Dunne sent Braintree keeper Jack Sims the wrong way.

He explained: “It was just spur of the moment, really.

“When you are on the pitch and you fancy it [you go for it]. I did fancy it the other day but I don’t like to row with people.

“Zidan got the ball and I said ‘Do you want it?’ He said ‘Yeah’ so I let him.

“He stepped up and missed a penalty, these things happen. I just thought I’m taking it this time.”

Brundle is presently without an assistant, so has lent heavily on Dunne.

“He’s up there with one of the best managers I’ve had in the last five or six years,” said Dunne of 28-year-old boss Brundle.

“His attention to detail and everything like that is great.”

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