Oldham Athletic manager Frankie Bunn believes his side's second half performance against Everton U21 in the Checkatrade Trophy could prove to be the catalyst for a busy upcoming run of fixtures.
The Oldham team were two goals behind at half-time but came back to win the game thanks to goals from captain Peter Clarke, Ishmael Miller and Jonathan Benteke.
Speaking about the first 45 minutes, the manager was disappointed with the performance from his players.
"It was embarrassing," Bunn commented.
"The first half performance is something I certainly don't want to be associated with.
"My players won't be like that again, that was just a shocking first half performance and albeit we've hit the post, the bar and have had a one-on-one, it looked like it wasn't going to happen but we've conceded two sloppy goals.
The manager used the game to give some players more minutes on the pitch, as well as giving some a rest ahead of a busy schedule.
"We've got some young players and they need to grow up quick now because that is where we are.
"We have congratulated them on the way, we've said how young they are but that goes by the way now, they are playing mens' football and they have to be men.
Latics scored three second half goals to complete the comeback and pick up the three points against Everton's young outfit.
Bunn puts the turnaround down to a half time-talk in the changing room.
"It was the harsh words at half time and a few truths," he explained.
"They responded and that's all we can take from that because I don't want to be associated with anything like that ever again.
"I keep saying we're going to have our ups and downs and the second half performance was very good but we shouldn't have been in that position.
"Again, no disrespect to Everton but if you are playing a better side it is very difficult to come from two goals down and we were in that same situation on Saturday and we kept plugging away but it wasn't to be."
The result means Latics have qualified for the next stage of the Checkatrade Trophy and Bunn is hoping it can provide the momentum the team need to put a good run of form together.
"It's a cup competition and we want to go as far as we can so we'll see how it pans out and see who we get in the next round.
"It can galvanise you, who knows this could be the start of something and hopefully that is the case.
"We certainly need a little bit of luck and we need to keep improving and as long as we do that we'll be fine."
Next up Oldham Athletic travel to Stevenage for their Sky Bet League Two fixture on Saturday, November 3, 3pm kick off.