Manager John Sheridan was happy to drawn at home in the first game of the Sky Bet League One season.
Latics entertain Oxford United on August 5 and the manager knows the importance of getting off to a good start.
He said: “I’m pleased we are at home in the first game of the season.
“If we can get off to a good start then great. Oxford are a good team and had a good season last season.
“It’s a strong division but it’s evenly matched and I think we can have a good season, and I think I’m talking like a lot of managers.
“It’s important we get off to a good start and have a lot of belief. I want us to be pushing the supporters, players and staff to think we have got a chance of getting out the league.
“I will be saying that throughout pre-season leading up to the first game but I know it’s going to be tough.
“We finished well and strong last season but I want us to start strong this season. We haven’t done that over the last two seasons so it’s important we get off to a good start in a really tough league.
“I think it’s an evenly matched division but I have no problem in saying that I feel we can prove a few people wrong and have a good season.”
Sheridan still has his eyes set on adding players to his squad. “I would like to bring 5/6 players in and we still need to bring two goalkeepers in.
“Left back is a position I need to fill so there is still players I need to bring in. Whether that will be before the first day back or half way through pre-season, there is always loans and I don’t want players falling behind. It’s important that we are strong and ready for August.”
The manager has so far added experience to his squad with the signings of Craig Davies and Dan Gardner and admitted it’s important to get the blend right.
“Experience is massive,” said Sheridan. “My experienced players last season were excellent and they were the reason we stayed up in my eyes.
“When you look at Green, Wilson, Clarke, they were the better players for me. They knew what was required and I think the experience is massive and you need it out on the pitch.
“The energy of young players, when you can combine them both, we do look as though we are well balanced. Hopefully we are proved right, we can start well and have a good season.”