Manager John Sheridan praised his players ahead of the game against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday (12.30pm kick off).
Latics entertain the Trotters this weekend and with only one defeat in 10 home games since the return of the gaffer, he praised his players ahead of the encounter.
He said: “Before I came, if you said I was only going to lose one out of 10 then I would have bitten your hand off.
"You have to respect the players for the way they have gone about it. You have always got a better chance winning at home than away so I look at that and we’ve done well at home.
“If we were going to stay in the league then we would have to win at home, which is the same as last season as well.
“Both teams have got to play on the pitch and the lads have gone about the job like I’ve asked them to so it’s down to the players.
“They weren’t winning games before I came in so they were playing with a bit of fear but you can see a massive difference in the players now.
“They are going out thinking they are going to win every game no matter who they are playing so that’s always a good starting point.
“There is no bigger test on Saturday against Bolton so we will see where we are and the three points is the most important thing.”
Bolton Wanderers are a familiar club to Sheridan as he served them as a player for two years and he only had positive words to say about them.
“When I look at them and Sheffield United, the squads they have got are very strong,” he commented. “Deep down, I want them to get promoted.
"They are an ex club of mine and I loved my time there. It was one of the best dressing rooms I’ve played in.
"We won the Championship when I was there and I had a really good time. I was there for two years but I really loved it there.
“After Saturday’s game, I’m hoping they get promoted but 100% I want us to beat them on Saturday.
“They have got a good manager and assistant manager, two lads who I like, and they’ve done excellent at Bradford.
“They know this division inside and out and they have done an excellent job at Bolton.
“You don’t just look at players on paper, you have got to work hard to get them out of the division and they are doing a good job there so it will be a tough game for us.
"They will have watched us and they will know we are a hard team to play against. It’s going to be a good atmosphere and I’m really looking forward to the game.
"Hopefully we can continue our good form. We have competed in games against teams above us so hopefully we will do that on Saturday.”
Sheridan has no new injury worries ahead of the game but will be missing one of his key players.
“I’m hoping everyone is going to be okay,” he said. “Chris Taylor is not available but I’m hoping whoever I put in that position will come in, fill that void and hit the ground running.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.