The Latics continued their successful build up to the new season with an impressive 2-1 win over Championship Blackpool at Boundary Park. Paul Dickov was impressed but wasn't getting carried away with the result over the ex-Premier league side who played two different teams, one in each half.
Dickov said, “Winning breeds confidence. We have had a couple of wins against very good teams, but I am not foolish enough to be carried away into thinking it is going to be like that all season. The main thing is about progression as a team, with and without the ball, and also about fitness. We are playing reasonably well, have a good team shape and everybody is working hard for each other. I still feel there is room for improvement, and that is something we must strive for two weeks today and all season.”
“Matt Smith has found it tough training full time and making the transition. The good thing is that he gets himself on the end of things in the box. He wins headers and holds the ball up and the pleasing thing is that there is plenty to work with.”
The Latics 20-man included eleven trainees which have come through the club's youth system. The youngsters were Luke Simpson, David Mellor, Carl Winchester, Matty Carr, Kirk Millar, Djeny Bembo, Ryan Brooke, Connor Hughes, Dale Connor, Paul Black and Chris Taylor.
Dickov continued, “We have a lot of good young kids coming through. What they have to realise and learn is when they go out they have to relax. There were a couple like rabbits in headlights which I don't want and, regardless of whether they are aged 16 or 36, they should go and enjoy their football and to do the right things. They are a great bunch and every single one of them wants to learn, but there is still a long way to go. We want to bring youth through and I keep banging on if they are good enough I will give them a chance.”