Latics return to Midlands
Paul Dickov is focusing on the positives taken from Saturday's defeat at Coventry City as Latics prepare for a return to the Midlands tomorrow to play Notts County.Latics' manager described losing to a 95th minute goal from James Bailey as a "real sickener."
Dickov said: "As always, I look for the positives which were the desire and determination of the players to get back into the game and to try and win it.
"We had clear chances and more possession than Coventry, which was the same against Brentford, but we have to take our chances."
Latics' manager added another positive is the return of James Wesolowski who has completed a three-match ban.
He continued: "James will be fresh and is raring to go.
"When he is in the team, other players react to what he does."
Latics will be taking on a County side which has experienced a dip in form as they have not won in their last seven competitive matches stretching back to November 24th when they recorded their last win against Swindon.
They drew 1-1 at home to Sheffield United on Saturday, a terrific result bearing in mind they played for over an hour with ten men after having Francois Zoko sent off.
County even equalised with a numerical disadvantage as Alan Judge found the net late on.
Dickov said: "County got a battling point having gone down to ten men.
"They are a bit like ourselves at the moment in that they are having a sticky spell, but Keith (Curle) will take a lot of positives from the game on Saturday as I will from ours."
Latics' manager is aware his side has picked up only one point from its last seven games.
He said: "It doesn't look good and I am the first one to know that.
"If we were looking we weren't going to score or not get anything from games, I would be worried.
"The biggest positive on Saturday were the number of chances we created and the effort and desire of the players to keep going.
"We were without three of our usual midfield and, add Matt Derbyshire, that is four massive players.
"Coventry are one of the form teams in the division and challenging for the play offs yet we could quite easily have won the game.
"As long as you have that, you always have a chance.
"I don't think we will get dragged into it (at the bottom of the table), but we have to start getting points on board.
"It is no use me talking about chances we have missed and what could have been."
Latics have a good record at Meadow Lane where they have won four and drawn one of their last six visits.
County,meanwhile, are struggling at home where they have won only once in their last 11 league and cup matches.
Dickov says Latics will be treating County with respect explaining that Curle has assembled a strong squad and have goals throughout the team.
Latics will be taking on a County side which has experienced a dip in form as they have not won in their last seven competitive matches stretching back to November 24th when they recorded their last win against Swindon.
They drew 1-1 at home to Sheffield United on Saturday, a terrific result bearing in mind they played for over an hour with ten men after having Francois Zoko sent off.
County even equalised with a numerical disadvantage as Alan Judge found the net late on.
Dickov said: "County got a battling point having gone down to ten men.
"They are a bit like ourselves at the moment in that they are having a sticky spell, but Keith (Curle) will take a lot of positives from the game on Saturday as I will from ours."
Latics' manager is aware his side has picked up only one point from its last seven games.
He said: "It doesn't look good and I am the first one to know that.
"If we were looking we weren't going to score or not get anything from games, I would be worried.
"The biggest positive on Saturday were the number of chances we created and the effort and desire of the players to keep going.
"We were without three of our usual midfield and, add Matt Derbyshire, that is four massive players.
"Coventry are one of the form teams in the division and challenging for the play offs yet we could quite easily have won the game.
"As long as you have that, you always have a chance.
"I don't think we will get dragged into it (at the bottom of the table), but we have to start getting points on board.
"It is no use me talking about chances we have missed and what could have been."
Latics have a good record at Meadow Lane where they have won four and drawn one of their last six visits.
County,meanwhile, are struggling at home where they have won only once in their last 11 league and cup matches.
Dickov says Latics will be treating County with respect explaining that Curle has assembled a strong squad and have goals throughout the team.