Rookie ‘ready’ to be Wigan Athletic first choice, insists boss Maloney
The 21-year-old has long been tipped to make his mark at senior level having impressed for years in the Academy ranks.
And despite Amos playing every single game during the League One-winning campaign, Maloney believes Tickle is too good to be merely settling for a campaign on the bench.
“Yeah, he’s ready, he’s ready to push for that No.1 jersey,” said the Latics boss.
“I won’t have any guaranteed starter, I’ll let football make that decision every week.
“But Sam’s been very good since I’ve been here.”
Tickle is one of the ‘new-age’ goalkeepers who are as comfortable with the ball at their feet as the defenders in front of them.
“He’s got attributes that clubs pay big money for,” insisted the Latics boss.
“He’s an amazing shot-stopper first and foremost, and he has a brilliant temperament.
“He needs to work on his short passing, but the ability he has with his long kicking is ridiculous.
“He will get caught at times, as all goalkeepers do, but we’ll give him all the confidence to play his natural game.”
Warrington-born Tickle has spent two spells out on loan, at Nantwich Town and Warrington Rylands last year, to aid his development.
The Latics boss has brought in eight new signings this summer – Liam Morrison, Jonny Smith, Callum McManaman, Matt Smith, Sean Clare, James Balagizi, Liam Shaw and Kell Watts.
But he’s also had to contend with almost two full teams of departures since the end of last term.
Tendayi Darikwa, Ryan Nyambe, Steven Caulker, Joe Bennett, Gwion Edwards, Jordan Cousins and Jamie Jones left at the end of their contracts, while Anthony Scully, Graeme Shinnie, Tom Naylor, Max Power, Curtis Tilt, Will Keane, Jack Whatmough and Jamie McGrath have been moved on.
Throw in the half a dozen loan players who returned to their parent clubs, it’s meant another huge summer of upheaval.
And Maloney says he won’t be actively seeking further reinforcements ahead of the big kick-off.
“I don’t think there’ll be any more coming in,” he said.
“I’m really happy with what we’ve managed to bring in.
“And unless something changes with anyone going out, I’m very happy with what I have.
“The big thing for me now is to get everyone back fit and available.
“We need to get players fit, and we’ll have that 18 or 19 senior players giving me decisions to make.
“But the good thing is we’ve seen over pre-season that we have so many young players pushing for places, which is fantastic.”
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