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In terms of our games this week, it has been a very very good one. First we managed to grind out a win at a tough fixture against Macclesfield, the young lads showing how it is done. Taking the lead early and defending valiantly while creating a few chances of their own, had the ball been an inch wider here or there, then the game couldn't have swung more in Latics favour.
As it was, it turned out to be a very good performance all round, the stand out performer of the day though was Roman Golobart. The defender has gone from strength to strength and yet again impressed at the center of our defence, alongside other young defender Lee Mustoe. Both young lads who will have big futures with the Latics.
In the midfield both Roger Espionza and Frazer Fyvie looked good. Fyvie slowly but surely building upon his recent outings, and is starting to get to the level we thought he would, while for Roger it was an exercise in dogged work rate, and showing him the high level of commitment needed.
That then leads onto the game against Stoke. The two main men from the weekend were brought into the starting 11 for Stoke City. Roger Espionza and Roman Golobart, both of whom had fantastic games through out. As a whole though the team had a very dire first half, before stepping up a gear and getting back to 2-2.
The first half has to go down to nerves, or just a lack of hunger. When on the ball we are technically very very good, we just lack that glimpse of imagination and that was telling in the first half. Stoke took advantage with their long ball football, as the lack defence made a mistake and allowed Shawcross in.
It was that lack of luck as it flicked of the back of James McCarthy's head , we never get the rub of the green and that was shown. Yet even after going 2-0 down the lads rallyed and played their football.
The movement for the two goals was sublime and if we manage to play that every game, then we will stay up. It comes down to the same as last season. Too inconsistent and not good enough for an entire game, yet when we are good, we are really good and play teams of the park.
Doing that at the weekend will be important. We need to beat Southampton, as much as we need to send a message that we will be staying up this season.