Interim boss David Dunn hopes the fans will get right behind his side in his first home game in charge of the club in Saturday’s Lancashire derby with Wigan Athletic.
Dunn, who was appointed 11 days ago, earned a point from his only game in charge so far against Doncaster Rovers last week, but he is hoping home advantage will help him earn his first victory as boss.
He said: "It’s going to a tough game, especially with how they play. At times they keep possession well so we are going to have to have a good shape about us. We will have to stick to our game plan but lets be fair, we have some good players ourselves.
“It’s my first home game in charge as well and I’m looking forward to that. Like the fans have done all year, hopefully they get behind us.
"It certainly helps when the supporters are behind the players and giving them the encouragement that they need to perform. Hopefully they come out, support us and we send them home happy.”
The gaffer stated in his post match interview on Saturday that he aimed to bring more players into the football club and he managed that with the signing of Michael Higdon.
However, he still has his sights on more incomings and potential outgoings: “We need to shuffle a few things,” Dunn admitted. “I want a couple more players, I’m not going to lie.
“We are one or two away from being really competitive and if we can do that then we will be there or there abouts at the end of the season.”
Dunn did bring in versatile defender Richard Eckersley last week, who was named on the bench but did not feature against Doncaster, and Swansea City player Jay Fulton.
The midfielder, however, did not receive international clearance in time for the game last week but will be in contention for Saturday’s game with Wigan.
"He will add that bite in the middle of the park to go along with the people already in there. Already in the last week you have seen the competition for places which is certainly a good thing from my point of view because I certainly want some selection headaches.”
Higdon arrived on Wednesday afternoon on loan from Sheffield United and he has already impressed the gaffer.
“Even in training yesterday you can see the quality he brings,” Dunn expressed. “Not only is he a good finisher but the midfield lads can get beyond him and he will hold the ball up well for us and we have been lacking that.
"The lads that have come in have put a shift in but we have missed that presence upfront since Jake [Cassidy] has been missing. I think quite a few clubs have spoken to him and his agent but I made it clear what I wanted from him. He has a point to prove and I like that. I like to have hungry players and they have the bit between their teeth. I’m hoping he proves me right.”
With Liam Kelly back in contention for a starting place at the weekend, the 35-year-old faces a selection headache ahead of the game.
“I’m a big believer in picking your strongest team,” explained Dunn. “I don’t think we have the license to squad rotate as much as other teams are but if we can get a team that is pretty consistent then I think that will help us in the long term.
"I want to be able to look at the bench and see people who can make an impact and who are going to prove to me they should have been playing from the start. If we can get that culture in the club that everyone is working together then it will be a real good thing to have.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.