Latics boss Frankie Bunn believes that his squad will benefit from the lay-off caused by the recent International break. The backlog will mean that seven games will be squeezed into 22 days beginning with the visit of Port Vale to Boundary Park on Saturday.
Bunn said, “Hopefully the break will be an advantage, the players have had their time to refresh and clear their minds because not only physically but mentally it’s been tough, so we're recharged and ready to go with a real positiveness around the squad. We were good on Monday back in training, obviously some players weren’t here, but everyone else came back refreshed and we’ve had a good three/four days now in preparation for the game Saturday. I watched a bit of football because that never leaves you and I went on loads of walks just contemplating and thinking about the upcoming weeks. Andy Rhodes and I went to watch Port Vale, so we've been keeping an eye on things along with other games, but it’s something we enjoy, and love, it never ever leaves you even if you take a breather football is always in the back of your mind.”
“I thought it was a very good performance at Bradford, scoring four goals away from home is something we want to try and replicate here. There's been a lot of goals scored at Boundary Park but unfortunately we've conceded a few, it's something we're looking to build on and improve upon. I’ve said it before, we're not the finished article yet, but we try to move forward and be positive in everything we do. When you've been beaten the way that they've [Port Vale] been beaten last Saturday (6-2) I think they'll be tight. Albeit a lot of the goals came from set plays, but I think any manager in their right mind would tighten things up and be disciplined in their performance especially away from home. I've played against Neil [Aspin] when he was at Leeds, I haven't come across him managerial or coaching wise yet, but since he got his chance at Port Vale he's been doing a good job there. I’m looking forward to the game, that's what we're here for and hopefully the supporters will be with us again, making some noise at Boundary Park and getting behind the lads.”