Neil Critchely expresses surprise at Barrow's decision to sack former Blackpool coach David Dunn

Dunn, who briefly worked as Critchley’s first-team coach prior to joining Barrow, was relieved of his duties yesterday following the 4-2 defeat to fellow strugglers Crawley Town on Saturday.

The result leaves Barrow in 21st place in the League Two table and without a win in nine games.

Dunn joined the Seasiders in January as assistant to then manager Simon Grayson, stepping up to caretaker boss when Grayson was sacked the following month.

The 40-year-old looked set to remain at the club under Critchley but then agreed a two-year deal with newly-promoted Barrow in July following their loss of manager Ian Evatt to Bolton Wanderers.

Dunn was in charge of the Cumbrian club for just 22 games, winning twice in League Two.

Despite Barrow’s poor form, Critchley believes Dunn ought to have been given longer at Holker Street.

"It came as a shock,” Pool’s head coach told The Gazette.

“It just shows you the precarious nature of football management. How long has he been given there, four or five months?

"I would class Barrow as quite similar to us in the way they've changed their squad around, they brought in lots of new players and many of them were stepping up and adapting to a new level.

"They had some real horrendous bad luck and results go against them late on in games. They could quite easily be lots of points better off in terms of where they are.

"That division is so tight in terms of the points. If they were five or six points better off, they'd be mid-table.

"I was really gutted when I heard that news on Sunday. It's not nice for Dunny because he's a really good person and if he had been given time with (assistant) Rob Kelly, I think they would have had a good season.

"It depends on what they class as a good season. First time back in the Football League for god knows how many years, sometimes it doesn't seem to be enough for some people unfortunately."

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