Goalkeeper Dean Brill has reinforced the view that fans can have a massive bearing on Latics having a successful season.

Brill says the players were taken aback by the size of the following at Tranmere on the opening day of the npower League One campaign.

He explained: "There is a positive and good feel about the place and the fans have picked up on that.

"It helps us massively when we turn up at an away ground and find we have one or two thousand people backing us.

"When we walked out at Tranmere, where we had almost two thousand fans, it lifts you two or three inches and makes you feel a bigger person."

Brill says Boundary Park is a far happier place than last season and that is down to the effect Paul Dickov has had.

On a personal note, Brill added that he is a more confident person to last season which he says was difficult with so many new players, himself included, arriving at the club.

"The majority of the players have had a year together which has helped while the manager has brought a new enthusiasm which is infectious," he explained.