Coach on derby draw
Paul Murray explained Latics were their own worst enemies in this afternoon's 1-1 draw against Rochdale in a behind-closed doors friendly.First-team coach Murray (pictured) described it as a poor first-half performance.
"We didn't choose the right ball, played wrong passes, our decision making was poor and we didn't get tight enough to the Rochdale players," he explained.
Murray explained that the switch from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 in the second half helped them get to grips with Dale as they worked harder collectively as well as communicating better.
He added it was still a good, competitive workout as David Mellor and Cliff Byrne were two of three bookings, a rarity in a friendly.
Murray was especially pleased with the performances of central defenders Genseric Kusunga and Byrne and also praised keeper Joel Coleman whose string of fine saves kept Latics in the game.
He was also pleased that scholars Coleman, Eddie Fulwood, John Pritchard and Jordan Bove were in the starting bench while Tomos Clarke, Danny Byrnes and Jack Tuohy made appearances off the bench saying they are did well.