Wigan Athletic boss ‘extremely happy’ with window job – and ‘culture’ shift

The Latics boss introduced two more additions ahead of schedule, bringing his total summer signings to 11.

This was offset by leaving enough players to fill a few teams, with some Academy graduates being added to the first team to bolster the numbers.

This was offset by leaving enough players to fill a few teams, with some Academy graduates being added to the first team to bolster the numbers.

He said: “I was extremely happy with the state of the team when we walked out the window.

“And some of the performances that we produced in the first series of games were really good. “I may have relied too much on some people, like Sean Clare…he played the first three games just four days into pre-season.

“I think in the last two games, sometimes I relied on him too much.

“With both boys coming in on the final day, 11 in total, that should give us a squad that understands there is competition for places.

“I know that the chemistry of the group is very good, but I need another side.

“Players need to know that their performance on the pitch and in training will determine our results. “We have a good team and I hope you see them improve in the next three or four months.

“Not just on the pitch, but off the pitch, culturally.

“We need a team that wants to win and will do everything, every day, to make that happen.”

While Martial Godo’s arrest from Fulham on loan on the last day was expected, Maloney says his eventual acquisition even took him by surprise.

Omar Rekik – who spent the second half of last season on loan from Arsenal – was supposed to go elsewhere, but that decision fell through.

And the fact that Rekik’s medical notes were in Wigan – the player and the management knew each other very well – meant a lightning-fast deal that passed the deadline. “Omar was very late,” added the Latics boss.

“We don’t have any plans for him yet, but something happened to him.

“I talked to him all summer because I formed a very good relationship with him.

“I was hoping he would find something that would work for him but in the end, he put in a lot of effort to come to us.

“He will really add to the competition for positions in many positions. “We have a lot of games to come and a lot of our players haven’t played much in the league.

“I’ll find a way to use the squad, but I need these players to be ready to play and win when we need them.”

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Maloney is credited with leading the Latics to 10 points in their opening five games, which removed their EFL-imposed 8-point deduction.

Both men faced former Latics men in their respective categories.

Gary Caldwell, Maloney’s former colleague at the Latics, Celtic and Scotland, is also in contention for Manager of the Month, with Exeter City currently third on goal difference.

Competing with Wyke for the Player of the Month award is Derby County striker Martyn Waghorn, who spent nearly 18 months with the Latics from 2014 to 2015 and also scored five goals. Management candidate:
Gary Caldwell (Exeter City), Andy Crosby (Port Vale), Liam Manning (Oxford United), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic).

The jury included former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports EFL expert Don Goodman and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.

Nominated Players:
Dany