Wigan began the New Year with a hard fought point at Scunthorpe to come out of the festive period unbeaten and in fifth position in SkyBet League One.
A Michael Jacobs equaliser secured the 1-1 draw at Glanford Park as Latics extended their unbeaten run to nine games away from home.
Following on from away wins over Barnsley and Fleetwood either side of Xmas, Gary Caldwell’s men now have three consecutive home games as they continue to push for the automatic places.
On their most recent result, Caldwell was happy with the performance after a gruelling run of games.
“We were unlucky not to win the match,” he said. “We went a goal behind just as we were starting to get a hold on the game.
“It was a poor goal to concede from our point of view defensively, but we rallied and came back to score a great goal.
“From then on I thought we looked like a team who could win the game, but we were missing a little bit more quality and a bit of luck in the final third.”
A point away from home in this league is always a good point however and with home matches against Gillingham, Sheffield United and Chesterfield to come inside the next fortnight, Caldwell is confident going forward.
“Our aim was to win the game, but to get seven points from three away games is impressive,” he said.
“We now go back to the DW for three straight home games, they’re massive games for us, and we’ve got to make our home a fortress now.”
The squad comes out of the December period with minimal injuries and suspensions and there is no reason why the pre-season favourites for promotion cannot live up to that reckoning.
Influential loanee Yanic Wildschut returns to his parent club Middlesbrough after a successful spell in Wigan but Caldwell is hoping to tie up a longer loan.
“We wish him well going back to Middlesbrough, but we’ll still do all we can to bring him back to the club,” he said.
The Wigan manager also had heartfelt words for ex-Wigan defender Steve Gohouri after his tragic death over the weekend.
The 34-year-old’s body was found in the River Rhine in Germany at the weekend and the club paid tributes on match day.
“It’s extremely sad to hear,” said Caldwell. “I heard the fans singing his name and we heard about the news in the dressing room.
“For somebody so young to lose their life is very sad, it’s tragic to find out about a former team mate passing away.”
Image courtesy of Wigan Athletic via YouTube, with thanks.
