The Latics have taken 35 points from a possible 72 during league games outside of the transfer windows this season, compared to just one point from a possible 27 in league games taking place while the transfer window is open.
Manager Richie Wellens remarked, “As soon as January finished I knew we'd improve as the mindset of the players changes as now they can fully concentrate. They know that they're here until the end of the season and don't have agents phoning them up saying 'I can get you this move or that move.' I was really pleased for the players on Tuesday as they applied themselves really well and had the right attitude. The only disappointment now is that we haven't got a game for so long. I don't like playing that way but the pitch is shocking. I was buzzing with the result but it's not nice to sit there and watch, because you're telling players to do stuff that you don't usually want them to do. It's the right thing to do in that situation though, and now we've managed to win our last two home games in a row which is great.”