Cup win is ideal birthday present
James Tarkowski admitted Latics' FA Cup with Budweiser, first-round replay win at Wolves was the perfect 21st birthday present.The central-defender, who is having to put celebrations on hold because of Latics' hectic fixture schedule, said: "I probably couldn't have had a better present from the lads than the win.
"It was a good performance and I am very happy.
"We probably had the hardest draw in the first round of the FA Cup and we held them 1-1 at home, but last night we proved how good we are.
"Once we scored the second goal, we saw out the game, though we are disappointed with the goal we conceded at the end."
Tarkowski, who says he will have a quiet birthday celebration with his family, is now looking forward to playing Mansfield in the second round at Boundary Park.
He believes, apart from Notts County away, that Latics' recent form has been good.
Tarkowski said: "We have put in some good performances away from home and have a nice little unbeaten streak at home.
"Hopefully we can build on this, though it is important to start winning in the league.
"We are doing well in the cups, but also need to do so in the league.
"We feel we are better than our league position suggests and we have been unlucky at times.
"We cannot keep saying we are unlucky and things have not gone our way, but we have to make our own luck."
Tarkowski said: "We have put in some good performances away from home and have a nice little unbeaten streak at home.
"Hopefully we can build on this, though it is important to start winning in the league.
"We are doing well in the cups, but also need to do so in the league.
"We feel we are better than our league position suggests and we have been unlucky at times.
"We cannot keep saying we are unlucky and things have not gone our way, but we have to make our own luck."