Robbie on his goalkeeping debut
Striker Robbie Simpson admitted it was a case of necessity and not choice that he made his debut as a goalkeeper for Latics in yesterday's npower League One match against Swindon Town.He was thrust into action between the posts when Alex Cisak was injured and Latics had used all three substitutes so goalkeeping understudy Liam Jacob could not be used.
Simpson added there was no obvious replacement, even though Lee Croft occasionally goes in goal during training.
He said: "Sometimes Lee has a go at the end of training for a laugh, but there was nobody else.
"I was the most senior player on the pitch so it basically fell on my head to make a call.
"I was thinking may be Croft, Brown or Smith, the latter because of his height but, to be honest, I didn't really trust anyone.
"Dean Furman and I had a chat decided I should take responsibilty and thankfully I didn't have a shot to save."
Simpson added it was his debut in goal and he also hopes it will be his last appearance.
He continued: "I was very nervous. The first thing I had to do was make a clearance and I never thought I would be so nervous just kicking a ball.
"I also came out for a corner. I was going to catch it, but thought it would be safer to punch it and I don't know the technique to catch the ball."
Simpson added it was frustrating because he had only just come on as a striker and had hoped to make an impact by trying to help Latics claw their way back into the match.
He admitted Latics "weren't at the races" and it was disappointing not to build on recent good form.
Simpson said: "It was a good opportunity to beat a team which is challenging towards the top and tipped to be up there at the end of the season given the run we had been on.
"We weren't at it as we have been in previous games. Even in training, we felt good and really confident, but on the day we didn't perform.
"That is down to us and we must learn from it and hopefully we will be at the races next Saturday at Yeovil which is a big game for us.
"We are all disappointed and downhearted, but we have to pick ourselves if we want to achieve anything this season."