Manager Stephen Robinson could not fault the effort from his players who gave him everything in yesterday’s goalless draw with Coventry City.
Latics had the best opportunities in the game and were unfortunate not to come away with a win, which the manager stated in his post match interview.
He said: “I’m not sure what we have to do to win a game of football at the moment.
“I can’t praise the boys enough, they were super and it’s probably the best football we’ve played in the second half since I came to the club.
“I thought we passed them off the park at times and we had five or six really good chances where we’re hitting the target but the goalkeeper is making saves.
“We had plenty of numbers in the box but it’s just not falling for us at the moment.
“At the start of the game I would have taken a point away at Coventry, especially if you look at the budget they have and the background and stadium, but we’re disappointed because we know we fully deserved to win the game."
Striker Lee Erwin volleyed against the crossbar on the hour mark which the closest effort Athletic had to opening the scoring.
“That’s the third time Lee has hit the woodwork since he’s come to the club and there is fine margins between winning and losing,” the gaffer commented.
“It was great technique from him and he’s in the right place during the move to get the chance on goal.
“Lee has to just continue getting in the right positions and it will come, as with all the strikers.
“If they keep getting in good positions, working as hard as they are then I can’t ask for anymore at the minute."
Robinson faced a selection headache at the start of the game but he knows it’s a good problem to have.
“We’ve got Darius Osei, Billy Mckay, Ryan Flynn and Ryan McLaughlin on the bench, so that’s testament to the starting 11 and the people we’ve brought in,” Robinson explained.
“They know they aren’t going to be playing every single week but we have to pick a team to win football matches and they’ve reacted brilliantly and that’s due to the characters we have brought to the club."
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.