Latics travel to The New Lawn for the first game of the 2019/20 season on Saturday and Head Coach Laurent Banide previewed the match.
The Head Coach is excited for the game against Forest Green Rovers and believes that he has built a new team.
“I’m very excited for the start of the season. We’re building a team, it’s long work because a lot of the players weren’t here last season.
“It’s big work but step by step we will build the team, organisation and tactics, it’s an important job but it’s very exciting.”
Banide wants to bring three points back to Boundary Park but claims he wants to see other things from his squad at the game as well.
“We don’t just work for the result we also work for the possibility of the potential of the players and to see the work tactically, defensively and offensively.
“The result is important but we work a lot to discover the potential of the players and the potential of our team defensively and offensively.”
The Frenchman wants to build an identity at Latics and has been impressed with what he’s seen since joining the club.
“It’s important to create a spirit, tactics and create a good feeling around the club. We’ve had four weeks to work and it’s a big job but we’re positive and we have seen a lot of potential and young players with potential and we need to build something with all the players to push us up a level, that is the objective.
“In the friendly games we saw a lot of potential and a lot of things to work on and it’s important to work hard. We know what we want and we push the players to improve physically sometimes or tactically some players but it’s important to work for the team to create better results.”
Banide has also been pleased with the academy players at his disposal and is trying to get them around the first team as much as possible to help their development.
“We have seen a lot of young players from the academy and they have potential, they’re the future of the club. It’s important to create a team to play a game but we need to prepare the new players and young players because maybe in three, four or six months we need them.
“It’s vital to have a football vision about the club, that’s why it’s long but it’s exciting and it’s difficult but it’s my job. If was can give a chance when the players have potential, we must do that.”
The Head Coach indicated he wants two or three more signings before the transfer window shuts in a few days.
“We are waiting for two or three more players and we need to ask for what we need and hopefully we’ll receive more players and continue to create and build a new team.”
Banide has also set high standards for his squad and wants them to follow certain principles going into each match.
“The target is to win every game we play. But we will build team, spirit and identity, and step by step to push our level.
“Every team wants to win but we must create a good work ethic, good rules and give a tactical indication to push the squad to the highest level and after that, we will see.”
The Head Coach is aware that Forest Green Rovers will be a tough game, but wants to focus on his own side ahead of the match first.
“They’re a great team, it’s a tough opponent but at the moment we will concentrate on ourselves because we want to push our own team to the next level it’s our priority for the moment.
“We respect our opponents a lot and we will try and make it a good game on Saturday. The supporters and everybody to push to our limit and see the team progress.”
Over 400 Latics are making the lengthy trip to Gloucestershire at the weekend and Banide has already thanked the supporters for their magnificent effort.
“The fans are very important for the project and I know that they love the club. Every time we work for them and it’s vital that they support our team.
“We know at the moment we’re not 100% ready but we need the supporters. Thanks for helping the team and being passionate."