Steve Riches: Dunn will be a good replacement for Bunn
Much will be made of Chris Dunn's error of judgment which allowed a long-range shot to win the game for Brighton on Tuesday, but it would be tragic for him if it led either to loss of confidence or to unwarranted criticism.
I've seen Mark Bunn do the same, and it did nothing to stunt his progress.
Gray was also adamant that our 4-1 thrashing at Tranmere owed nothing to any weakness by Dunn.
Clearly no position can be short on cover, so I expect Gray to be getting in a loan goalkeeper to cover Dunn, but that person must not expect to walk into the first 11.
It'll be tricky to find someone because outfield positions can be interchanged, but there are not many goalkeepers who can play elsewhere, and loanees usually expect first-11 football.
I asked head of youth, Geoff Harrap, for his opinions on Dunn, and he rated him an excellent shot-stopper with great attitude and good mental strength who can handle the pressure.
Steve Riches: I stick by my play-off prediction - click here
Two years ago our youth system was on the edge of extinction.
David Cardoza was correct in stating it did not pay for itself, but he must now be pleased that everyone rallied to persuade him to delay the chop. We are now producing the goods and the money and there are more boys wearing the claret shirt than ever before.
Harrop is keen to praise his hard-working team of adults.
Parents feel secure that their offspring are properly treated, and the boys who do make it through have a real chance of success.
Harrop observed that youngsters at Manchester United will rarely get a sniff at the big time, whereas at Northampton they can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and in players like Bradley Johnson (Leeds) and Bunn (Blackburn Rovers), the Cobblers have proved that the path is wide open.
There is, though, pressure on the system to produce players for senior use quicker than normal.
I asked Harrop to pick some prospects for you to watch, and he selected these: Ross Oulton, 17, from Towcester, a central midfielder; Alex Konstantinou, 16, already selected for the under-17 Cyprus squad, Oddy Ecomonmides, 17, who is in the Cyprus under-19 team, and 16-year old Paul Walker, in the Wales under-17s.
He was also pleased that Joe Benjamin, Greg Taylor and Walker have already graced the senior bench.
I've watched Benjamin show real striker's class for the reserves, but he can also disappear for long periods. At his age, a year can bring huge improvements, and I hope it does because we need a homegrown striker.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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