Wigan boss Uwe Rosler wants all 11 players on the pitch to show up for his side in future after they were bundled out of the Capital One Cup 2-1 by League Two Burton Albion on Tuesday.
The Latics took the lead through Marc-Antoine Fortune before Dominic Knowles replied for the hosts and Stuart Beavon grabbed a winner to secure a famous result for the Brewers.
Wigan have been cup specialists of late, lifting the FA Cup in 2013 in stunning fashion by beating Manchester City, and Rosler was at a loss to explain the defeat.
“You need more than three or four players out there having a normal game when you’re in a cup game because you know the lower league team will raise their game,” said the German.
“If you are not going for 90 minutes you can get hurt – and we got hurt.
“In the second half, we have to do much better. It was unacceptable.”
Rosler had made wholesale changes following a 2-2 draw with Reading at the weekend and naturally expected a seamless passage into the second round.
“I think for the team we had out there and the experience, we’d have liked a bit more character, determination and a will to win – we had to be more decisive in both boxes.
“We have to feel more hurt to lose to opposition we should normally win against.”
Burton manager Gary Rowett said there’s more to come from his team.
“I think we’ve shown that if we do the right things, we’ll not only cause teams in League Two problems we’ll cause problems for any team,” he told Sky Sports.
Premier League clubs including Manchester United will enter the competition this evening when the second-round draw is made.
“I would say, overall, that is as well as any team of mine has played, ever, since I’ve been here,” Rowett added on BBC Radio Derby.
“I thought they were absolutely brilliant in lots of different ways. I don’t think Wigan had lots and lots of chances.”
Image courtesy of LaticsOfficial via YouTube, with thanks.