MAKING HIS NAME
Midfielder Joe Williams on life with the Latics
JOE Williams didn’t get the chance to fulfil his Premier League dream at boyhood club Everton, but he’s still got the top-flight in his sights.
And he reckons joining Paul Cook’s Wigan this summer is helping him develop his game and mature as a player.
Williams joined Everton at the tender age of seven and came through the Toffees’ ranks, but he never had the opportunity to strut his stuff on the Goodison Park stage.
Loans at Bolton and Barnsley in the last two seasons have given him plenty of Championship experience and this summer the midfielder decided to cut ties with Everton permanently.
Versatile
So was it a wrench for Williams, who turns 23 next month, to leave?
“It was quite easy, to be honest,” he told The FLP.
“I wasn’t going to play, and I didn’t want to sit around and be told I wasn’t going to be part of things.
“I felt I was good enough to play there, but the whole world doesn’t revolve around Everton. There’s a big footballing world out there and I knew I needed to go out there and play week in, week out.”
And Williams, who won Wigan’s player of the month award for October on the back of some influential displays, believes he has chosen wisely in joining the Latics.
“I’ve settled in really well,” he said. “The manager and the lads are really good and it helps that there are a lot of Scousers in the building.
“I started off a bit shaky. I got sent off early on my home league debut (for two bookable offences against Leeds). It put me on the back foot, but I had the belief that if I worked hard I could get back in the team.
“We’ve been playing really well lately, but we should have a few more wins and points on the board.
“We want to finish as high in the league as we can and we’ve got a good enough squad. If we carry on playing the same way, we’ll be okay.”
More eye-catching displays in the Latics’ engine room won’t do Williams’ profile any harm either. And the former England U20 international is eager to show he can mix it up in the engine room.
“I’ve played as a deep-lying midfielder for the last few years and you’ve got to break up play and get the team on the attack, but I’ve also played as more of a number eight where you want more goals and assists,” he said. “I feel confident doing any job.
“Everyone’s aim is the Premier League and that’s what I will be going for, however long my career is. I think I’m ready for that step.”
Confidence
Those previous loan spells at Bolton and Barnsley have proved invaluable in giving Williams much-needed gametime and he’s grateful for the experience.
“It was a difficult season at Bolton last year (with off-thepitch problems), but I really enjoyed playing for them and the same with Barnsley,” he said.
“I learned a lot and I got a few mistakes out of the way. I also put in some good performances and now I’m just starting to kick on.”
Having an experienced manager like fellow Scouser Paul Cook in charge at Wigan can only help that process.
“He’s really enthusiastic and he loves his football,” said Wil- liams, who was a big fan of Everton playmaker
Mikel Arteta as a young
Toffees fan.
“He gives you good information and a lot of confidence as a player. He doesn’t fear any team and tells us to go out and play our way.
“At the same time, when you need to be told something, he will tell you!”