Malky Mackay walked away disappointed again on Saturday after Wigan Athletic suffered another loss to Watford at Vicarage Road and has said his side must now focus on improving the small things.
Wigan managed to pull a goal back after falling behind twenty minutes in, but it was Watford who had the last laugh netting their second in the 82nd minute to grab the three points.
Mackay was overall impressed with the Latics’ performance but admitted that the players need to demand more of themselves if they are going to climb to Championship safety.
He said: “It’s just about the fine details and the demands that the players are putting among themselves… they’ve got to keep demanding of themselves so that one little error isn’t costing them the game.
“It’s a bit about belief as well, we’ve got to keep believing in ourselves because this is a good group and they’re together.”
The defeat leaves Mackay still searching for a win since taking over management of the club from Uwe Rosler last month.
Their next game sees the Latics welcome newly promoted Rotherham United, who lie four points ahead of them, to the DW Stadium where they must prove that experience in this tough league is what gives you the edge.
“We’ve played three of the top four clubs in the division in the last few weeks and we’ve been in the games absolutely so that’s what I hold on to in terms of this group of players we’ve got here,” the former Watford defender and manager said.
“I thought various players caused Watford certain problems but we’ve got to keep putting demands on ourselves to win games.”
Eight years ago they were tenth in the Premier League and their potential has been all too clear this season so far, but Wigan must now find that special ingredient to save them from sheer embarrassment.
Main image courtesy of Wigan Athletic via YouTube, with thanks.