Manager buoyed by backing
Lee Johnson is convinced that success won't elude his Latics' team for much longer.
Latics' manager is unfazed by the statistic which shows four defeats in six Sky Bet League 1 matches maintaining that better results are ahead.
Johnson added he has also buoyed by the messages of support from within the game following the unlucky 2-1 defeat in Monday's live televised match at Preston North End.
He said: "I probably had 15 phone calls and texts and after the game from people on football – and top people – saying the team was magnificent and to keep playing the way we are and we will soon shoot up the table.
"It doesn't mean anything, but shows we have made an impression on the football world which is nice. We don't want to be brave losers, though, but brave winners."
Latics' manager is pleased with the football his team is playing believing all that is lacking is the savvy other more experienced sides possess.
Johnson pointed to the penalties his side have conceded in recent matches to reinforce his viewpoint.
He continued: "What we are lacking is a bit of savvy. Over the last four or five games we have seen three players aged over 34 years earning penalties against us through clever play.
"We lacked that savvy which comes through experience and knowing how to buy a foul. We are so keen and hungry, young and mobile that sometimes we can get sucked in to a clever player who is not so mobile who is like a street cat in knowing how to buy that extra yard and are clever enough to win penalties.
"We have to grow up quickly to that because it is a harsh world out there as Preston probably only entered our box three times, and one of them was the penalty."
Johnson added players are hitting individual form and producing attractive football.
He went on: "We are playing nice football up to a certain point and then we need a killer instinct in the box. Some games we have had it and others we haven't.
"I want to be up there challenging at the top, and believe we can and still go on a run.
"We are looking for progression and know we are heading in the right direction, but we just need to turn good performances into wins.
"I am pleased and feel the club is in the right place where I want it to be. There is lots of young talent and we have not had as many sellable commodities for many years and there are a million scouts at our games which shows we are doing things right."