Youth team boss Tony Philliskirk was less than impressed with his players after losing 1-0 at home to Burton Albion.
The young Latics fell behind midway through the first half from a set piece and struggled to create chances to get back into the game, something which disappointed Philliskirk.
He said: “We highlighted one or two things after the Hartlepool game last week which we worked on Monday to Friday, particularly in our forward play. In training the boys did really well but when they took it into the game, they couldn’t implement what we were working on so we were disappointed.
"Burton worked harder than us, they were certainly more physical than us and I think that was the worrying thing about the performance on Saturday. I chopped and changed so much in the second half to try and get back into the game but we couldn’t manage to get a goal.
"We conceded a very poor goal from a set piece and looked very vulnerable. We don’t mind losing, but it’s about the way you lose. We lost in the wrong way on Saturday and I was very disappointed. We have got to improve and we know that.”
With Callum Scullion and Rahul Parmer long term absentees from the side, Philliskirk was forced to name three schoolboys on the bench for Saturday’s game after his injury crisis worsened.
“We lost Rio Murray early in the game, Ryan Leonard and Jake Hargreaves before the game, and the international clearance hasn’t come for the Irish players so we are down to the barebones,” he admitted.
"Thankfully we have a free Saturday next week so it will help with the injury situation. We are also working hard with the English and Irish FA behind the scenes to sort the international clearance out for Dylan King and Brendy Glackin so hopefully the next time we play we have them involved.”
The youth team’s next game will be against Bradford City in the first round of the Youth Alliance Cup on Saturday, August 29 (11am kick off).