Coach on reserve-team display
Tony Philliskirk was delighted with the display of a young Latics' reserve side which lost 3-1 at Walsall.Latics fielded seven scholars in their starting line up along with four young professionals.
After falling behind after only 11 seconds, Latics dug in and gave a gutsy performance against an experienced Saddlers side which included former Latics' player Dean Holden and Julian Gray.
Coach Philliskirk said: "I am proud of the lads because it would have been easy to cave in after conceding a goal so early.
"It was a great learning experience for our side which was littered with first-year scholars and something you could not give them in any training session.
"They will all have taken something from the game and the goal was the least we deserved.
"We stuck at it collectively and made Walsall work for their win. And there are a lot of positive signs for the future."
Philliskirk added the professionals also worked hard and everybody will have taken something positive from the game.
He pointed out there were some very good individual performances, notably from keeper Luke Simpson (pictured), Danny Byrnes and Kyle Hardman.
Philliskirk was also impressed how well the two trainee strikers Emile Tansinda and Jordache Walters did against the experienced Holden and Matt Preston.
He explained the only disappointment was the goals conceded - in the opening seconds of the game, just before half time and from a set piece.