My name is Gareth Marshall and I have, this week, had the pleasure of spending a week at Latics on work experience in the commercial department.

I have just finished my second year studying Media and Sports Journalism at the University of Huddersfield (don't worry; I am originally from the correct side of the Pennines!).

As a big football fan, it really is intriguing to work at a football club to see how things run day to day and how all the players and coaches come into contact with all those that work behind the scenes.

I was delighted to be offered a week at Boundary Park as I knew it would give me the chance to meet one of my personal heroes, Paul Dickov. I literally couldn't make any words come out of my mouth on Monday morning when I first met him in his office!

It was great to go down with everyone to Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre on Tuesday afternoon for the team signing. I was assigned to picture selling duty, so I can add marketing and sales to the list of things I have learnt here!

I really was amazed at how many people turned up that day and it was great to see so many people getting behind their home-town club.

As a budding sports journalist, it was intriguing to witness a visit to the club on Wednesday afternoon by BBC Radio Manchester's Jack Dearden. In the space of 30 minutes, two Latics stories broke, Jack got on the phone to the studio and five minutes later we turned the radio on and there were the two stories at the top of the bulletin!

It was also good to meet the two new signings this week, Jean-Yves M'voto and Oumare Tounkara. I don't think I have ever seen two bigger guys in all my life and I for one wouldn't want to play against either of them! But they were top guys and I hope they can get some first-team football under their belts here.

As an outsider coming in, the confidence in the club has grown as the season draws ever nearer. From speaking and listening to the new manager, one thing Latics fans won't see a lack of this term is effort. The manger will get the side playing the way that he used to, with fight and tenacity, and with an attitude like that Latics will win more games than they lose this season.

Finally, I would just like to thank everyone at the club for having me this week. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming and I really hope Latics go on and have a great season.

And who knows, maybe one day I will be covering Latics as my full-time job.