Boss John Sheridan watched his young team dispose of Coventry City by 3-2 at Boundary Park on Saturday, a victory that lifted the Latics out of the relegation zone.
Sheridan commented, “In the Premier League academies, every game is playing on a beautiful bowling green pitch where players can pass to each other on the floor easily. It is totally different in this division and it's something Aiden O’Neill has to get used to. But he was excellent in the second half and he had a really good spell when we were on top, driving forward. He could possibly have scored two or three himself. He put us on the front foot, winning second balls and gaining ground. Rob Hunt is a good little player and he reminds me of Denis Irwin a little bit. I hope he turns out as good as him. He's a steady-eddie who never really makes any mistakes and gives you seven-and-a-half out of 10 every week. He doesn't get flustered and I like players who, if they make a mistake, just carry on. He's a grafter who is not frightened to get stuck in, but also a good footballer too. He has come out of the Brighton system and it's difficult. They are two young lads, but I like what they have got about them.”
“I played Ryan Flynn up front for his cleverness, but if we are not using him the way we should, it's hard for him. Chris Taylor has a lot more to offer. But we are not always going to play well and sometimes you have to grind it out. A 20-minute spell in the second half won us the game and we got goals at an important time.”