After the impressive win at Gillingham a delighted Ronnie Moore (pictured) said, "I will take the result.We need to learn from the game but I told the players to enjoy the victory. We will go somewhere else this season, play well and lose. I never bemoan a win and it was a tremendous result. It was one-way traffic in the second half when we didn't play well and our keeper had to make some wonderful saves. But we put ourselves under pressure the way we used the ball. We need to get hold of it and don't give it away in silly positions. I can't fault the commitment or effort, there is no doubt that was there, although we were very fortunate in a way."They threw everything at us, hit the post and we cleared one off the line but overall I was pleased. If you work hard you get your rewards, it is about time we had a little bit of luck. To take the three points was a bonus. When Lady Luck smiles you have go to take it."
The win ended a three-match losing streak which resulted in the Latics consolidating their league position in 10th. place and another win on Saturday at home to Bournemouth could put them right back in the play-off spots.
Moore went on, “The performance at Gillingham wasn't brilliant, but it was enough for three points and we've got to kick on from here. We're only one point outside the play-off area and hopefully we've now got through that little spell of disappointing results. I've kept saying we need to hang in there and win a few games until all our players, especially in defence, are back from injury. That day is getting closer, and we'll be in with a hell of a shout for promotion once I can pick from a fully-fit squad. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, but we've been badly affected in the last few weeks. It's amazing to have five centre-halves all out at the same time. There are probably 15 teams in this division who will be fancying themselves to challenge at the top, but our squad is right up there with the best of them.”
Only Chris Swailes and Will Haining are not back training from the glut of defender injuries. Guy Branston may be available again on Saturday after missing three matches with a calf strain, and with Danny Hall back in action for the reserves on Wednesday it's looking good again.