Paul Dickov says tomorrow's top-of-the-table clash between  Latics and Charlton Athletic at The Valley will provide a barometer as to the team's evolution.

The Latics manager added he is not looking it as a battle of the two teams in npower League One, but a yardstick from which he can guage the progress that has been made in his short time at Boundary Park.

Dickov explained: "We are looking at progressing and getting better, and this game will show how far we have come.

"In the short space of time I have had the boys, they have come on so much.

"It is pleasing as a staff to see how well they are doing, how well they are willing to work, their attitude and application which has been fantastic.

"It is great to have won both of our opening league games, especially the way we have played, but it is only a start and we feel there is still room for improvement.
 
"The biggest danger is that  we as a group, and the fans, get carried away and irrespective of where we were going this weekend it would have been a case of keeping feet on the ground."

Dickov pinpoints former Latics striker Pawel Abbott, who recently joined the Addicks, as a danger.

He added that while Latics will pay respect to Charlton, it is more about how his team performs at The Valley.

Dickov added that the pleasing thing about the win against Notts County was not the three great goals, but the desire not to concede in the closing stages of the match.

He explained: "In the last five or ten minutes we had players busting a gut and running 30 and 40 yards to put tackles in and bodies in the way of the ball.

"That determination not to concede a goal was fantastic."