Philliskirk on his move to Latics
Danny Philliskirk has played for big clubs like Chelsea, Sheffield United and Coventry City, but he describes the move back to Latics as the best one he has made.The 22-year-old has scored four goals in 10 appearances for Latics since making his debut last month in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Shrewsbury Town where he found the net twice.
That contrast sharply with 14 appearances and no goals he scored in the previous three years in cameos for Oxford United, Sheffield United and Coventry City.
Philliskirk, who began his career at Latics as a trainee before signing for Chelsea, said: "When I was younger, I had some great memories here.
"Obviously I went off to do different things in different places but, when I got the opportunity to come back, I jumped at it. It was the best decision of my life.
"A lot trust has been put in me by the staff and the lads because it is hard sometimes when you go to a place and have to prove people wrong."
The spectacular diving header (pictured), which was the winning goal in Latics' 2-1 victory against Swindon Town was one to remember in many ways.
Not only did it earn Latics three valuable points, but it was also the first League goal of Philliskirk's career - his three previous ones came in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
He said: "Any goal gives you a good feeling, but my first league one was extra special.
"Any goalscorers put in their body where the ball is, and luckily it went in off the side of my head.
"I didn't see where it went, but the next thing everybody was piled on to me. And it was a great feeling to see it in the back of the net."
Philliskirk is also relishing his first extended run of games in his career - 10 in less than two months.
He continued: "I have the odd cup game wherever I have played, but I have had quite a few starts here.
"Hopefully I can play the whole season, but that depends of how things go. At the moment, though, they are going fine."
And after Latics climbed to 16th place following back-to-back home wins, Philliskirk believes things can only get better.
He continued: "We have been very unlucky in some games, but we again dug in against Swindon because, at 1-1, we could have crumbled.
"We have been playing well, but had some disappointing results and sometimes in this league it is about grinding out results which is all that matters.
"The spirit and togetherness of the team is the best wherever I have been, and I have been at a number of other clubs."
And looking forward to the next two games at Notts County and Bristol City, Philliskirk believes Latics can build on a run of only one defeat in five league and cup games.
He said: "We have two massive games against clubs at the bottom and, obviously, our confidence is sky high at the moment.
"We cannot rest on our laurels and must continue to pick up points. You never know, we could be pushing up at the top quite soon."
Not only did it earn Latics three valuable points, but it was also the first League goal of Philliskirk's career - his three previous ones came in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
He said: "Any goal gives you a good feeling, but my first league one was extra special.
"Any goalscorers put in their body where the ball is, and luckily it went in off the side of my head.
"I didn't see where it went, but the next thing everybody was piled on to me. And it was a great feeling to see it in the back of the net."
Philliskirk is also relishing his first extended run of games in his career - 10 in less than two months.
He continued: "I have the odd cup game wherever I have played, but I have had quite a few starts here.
"Hopefully I can play the whole season, but that depends of how things go. At the moment, though, they are going fine."
And after Latics climbed to 16th place following back-to-back home wins, Philliskirk believes things can only get better.
He continued: "We have been very unlucky in some games, but we again dug in against Swindon because, at 1-1, we could have crumbled.
"We have been playing well, but had some disappointing results and sometimes in this league it is about grinding out results which is all that matters.
"The spirit and togetherness of the team is the best wherever I have been, and I have been at a number of other clubs."
And looking forward to the next two games at Notts County and Bristol City, Philliskirk believes Latics can build on a run of only one defeat in five league and cup games.
He said: "We have two massive games against clubs at the bottom and, obviously, our confidence is sky high at the moment.
"We cannot rest on our laurels and must continue to pick up points. You never know, we could be pushing up at the top quite soon."