WIGAN WON’T REVELL IN RUN
GARY Caldwell is refusing to celebrate anything just yet despite seeing Wigan take their unbeaten league run to 11 games following victory over Shrewsbury.
Alex Revell’s first Wigan goal proved to be enough to lead the hosts to the win, with Sullay Kaikai coming closest for the Shrews only for Jussi Jaaskelainen to keep his effort out.
The Latics last tasted defeat on September 12, but boss Caldwell is not about to get carried away anytime soon.
“It was competitive, but we expect that every week now,” he said.
“We know that the competition in this league is fierce.
“We know we will get teams that come and ask us a lot of questions and put us under a lot of pressure so it is another big win for us.
“We are disappointed with the second half.We know as a team we can be better, but to win games and get on that run is such an important thing in football.
“We have learned a lot since the start of the season – earlier in the season that might have caused us problems and upset us but I don’t think it did here.
“It is progress.We are winning games and it is a good habit to get into.
“We are still a long way away from achieving what we want to do this season.We will keep focusing on the next game and trying to win that.”
Neither side claimed control in a fast-paced opening ten minutes, with Middlesbrough loanee Yanic Wildschut teeing up Max Power to fire over early on.
Wildschut continued to look menacing when cutting in from the left, but Wigan’s promising start looked in danger when Michael Jacobs was forced off injured after 14 minutes.
Nevertheless the Latics carried on and as Wildschut attacked the box from the left, he crossed for Revell to head home.
Wildschut could have had another assist four minutes later, but his low cross was scuffed by Will Grigg and then sent wide by Tim Chow.
On 70 minutes Donervon Daniels sent a glancing header just wide before Kaikai finally tested Jaaskelainen at the other end from just inside the box.
That was as close as the visitors came with manager Micky Mellon saying: “First half we probably lacked a bit of belief, but we tweaked it and came away disappointed that we have not got something at a very good Wigan side.
“Of course we have lost but in terms of performance, fight, endeavour, and honesty – all the brilliant qualities that you need – I could not fault them.
“It was huge improvement.We maybe lacked a bit of cutting edge in the final third that you need, but it was not to be here.
“There is an awful lot of doom and gloom going about.
“Yes, we have lost games but we are trying to build a team that is competitive and gives the club and fans something to shout about.
“When you looked around the team here we looked a good side.”