Latics blow a good chance

Last updated : 17 December 2006 By The Chairman
On a day when fans were let in for just £2 adults/£1 children, the Latics blew a good chance to beat Brighton when their second half performance was just not good enough. They dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Paul Warne in the 18th. minute. The second half was a different story and the Latics let the Seagulls back into the game and allowed Dean Hammond to score an equaliser which spoiled the party.

Manager John Sheridan told the official website, "It was a frustrating day. We had the chances to win the game, and played superbly in the first half. We should have had the game won by the break. Fair play to Brighton, though. They made a change, caused us one or two problems in the second half, and ended up getting a draw. At the end of the day it's still a point, we've moved up a place, and if we play like that then we'll win more than we lose. Chris Taylor (pictured) did brilliantly to create the chance for himself and he was unlucky to see it come back off the post. If that had gone in, it would have been a totally different game. Gary's header in the second half was a good effort, but perhaps he should have scored. They're getting in the right place at the right times though, and it's unfortunate. On another day they would have both gone in. Yes, you expect to win going in one-nil at half time at home, but I've told the lads in the dressing room not to be disappointed. We've got another home game coming up now, and it's important we concentrate on getting three points from it. If we get four points from six then that's not disgraceful. We now need to be fully focused on beating Northampton next week."

Chris Taylor added, "Although you're never entirely happy with just a point, we always look to get three, I'll take it. I think Brighton will surprise a few teams this season. They're doing well and have a lot of good youngsters. My goal (had it gone in) would probably have killed the game at two-nil. We were on top for quite a while but we needed a second as you never know what's going to happen at one-nil. Gary McDonald was unlucky in the second half, and on another day we would both have scored. It's important that we carry on picking up points with Christmas approaching and there's some big games coming up that I'm really looking forward to, obviously Nottingham Forest and Wolves are the big names. Playing in front of a big crowd helped me. I love playing in front of a lot of people. I feel like I'm progressing every game and all I want to do is carry on improving and making myself a better player. I don't feel any extra pressure with links to other clubs. If clubs are looking at our players then it means the squad, the manager and the club are doing well."