It’s getting better (all the time)

As Paul McCartney once sang ‘It’s getting better all the time’, eighth place in the table, three wins (consecutive away wins) and four draws with just one defeat. If anyone tells you they wouldn’t have taken that on our return to the Championship they’re lying.

This is arguably the best Championship campaign we’ve had in recent memory and we’ve not even hit our peak yet, and thanks to Leam’s faith in his players it’s mainly being achieved with the bulk of the squad from last season.

As I said last month this squad and indeed this manager have been written off by pundits, opposition fans and indeed some of our own. Just because you don’t sign a whole new squad of players in the transfer window does not mean that you’ll crash and burn. We all said last season that we had signed a Championship level squad.

Players like Will Keane, James McClean, Jack Whatmough, Tom Naylor, Josh Maggenis and Charlie Wyke are Championship players. The fact that they played in League One last season is beside the point. Add in some exciting youngsters, some fresh signings with Championship experience and a whole barrel load of team spirit and you’re going to achieve things.

That’s what Leam Richardson, Rob Kelly, James Beattie and everyone else is doing right now.

It’s an exciting time to watch Wigan Athletic, yes at times it may not be pretty but the time to concentrate on the aesthetics of our play will come in time. First of all the first target has to be Championship consolidation and although it’s early days Latics look well placed to achieve that.

There were so many stand out performances on Tuesday night, Callum Lang worked really hard throughout and should have had a second penalty awarded in the second half. His goal was payback for having that denied. Graeme Shinnie has been marvellous this season and is really growing in to this team, the fact we got him for comparative peanuts doesn’t go un-noticed.

Jamie Jones who has played more than I imagine he’ll have expected this season made some fantastic saves again and Charlie Wyke once again had a hand in the winning goal as he continues his journey back to full fitness.

But most of all credit has to go to James McClean. Always a target for the boo boys, the circumstances of the last week would have meant that the focus would always be on James.

Despite this he conducted himself with the utmost professionalism last night and set up that winner, he deserved that for all of the ridiculous abuse he receives from people who don’t have a clue about their history and the history that has deeply affected James McClean.

So it’s back to home on Saturday and a game against one of the surprise packages of the season in Reading. Is it too much to hope for a first home win of the season? Eighth place (at the close of play) on Tuesday is a fantastic start but there’s more that we can do and I’ve no doubt will do this season.

Get behind the lads, who knows where they’ll take us.

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