Ahead of a vital Easter Weekend doubleheader, assistant manager Gary Brabin is acutely aware of how vital it is that Latics pick up results sooner rather than later, as the race for the play-offs hots up.
Latics have six games to play this season, sit four points off the play-offs, but know that they still have to play both Halifax and Altrincham - who sit above them in the table.
Results in those vital fixtures would go a long way to help Micky Mellon’s side achieve their ultimate goal, but Brabin knows just how important each game is, regardless of opposition.
“We treat every game with the same importance, but we realise we’ve got ourselves in a position where we can turn this season into a successful one.
“It’s been a little bit up and down at times, but I’d like to think we’re going in the right direction overall.
“We strive for consistency in performances and results, we want to get better, and move the team forward.
“With just six games left we know just how important all of them are.
“These two bank holiday games are vital for us, and give us the chance of cementing something positive at the club.”
Gary joined Micky Mellon’s coaching team last October, and has helped oversee a transformation in the squad and results.
With a number of additions in January, Latics are now in position where they’re still within a shout of the top seven as they enter April.
“When we came in we had a squad which on paper should be competing, but wasn’t, it was struggling near the bottom.
“But we worked with them, and have tried to get the best out of all of them, and we’ve climbed the table.
“They’ve got us into a good position, and we’ve been able to strengthen in a few areas, which we have to thank the owners for.
“With those additions, we’re now in a position where we can go from what was a frustrating start to a successful finish.
“We’ve said it for the last few weeks, we don’t want to be relying on results that other teams get.
“Obviously it’s nice when you look at the results and you see people who are competitors drop points.
“But we keep saying that we need to focus on ourselves, making sure our game is right.
“I do believe that the fitness and consistency levels are getting closer together each week.
“We’re going to face different teams in different games over the coming weeks, they’ll pose different challenges, but we do our homework on the opposition.
“So no matter what tactics or styles of play they throw at us, we know what they’re about.
“We want to find that bit of form we’ve had previously in these last few games of the season.
“If we do that, and get the results which I know we’re more than capable of getting, we’ll achieve our goal of getting into the play-offs.”
