The Latics saved their best away performance of the season for the final match as they romped to a 1-4 success at out of sorts Crewe Alexandra. Goals from Deane Smalley, Neal Eardley (2) [pictured] and Gary McDonald resulted in their their ninth away League success of the season. Over 1,200 Latics fans, many in fancy dress, watched the humiliation which, thankfully for Crewe, left the Railwaymen still in League One after the result. The win leap-frogged the Latics over Tranmere Rovers in the league table which also put a wry smile on many of the fans faces.Latics save the best till last
The Latics saved their best away performance of the season for the final match as they romped to a 1-4 success at out of sorts Crewe Alexandra. Goals from Deane Smalley, Neal Eardley (2) [pictured] and Gary McDonald resulted in their their ninth away League success of the season. Over 1,200 Latics fans, many in fancy dress, watched the humiliation which, thankfully for Crewe, left the Railwaymen still in League One after the result. The win leap-frogged the Latics over Tranmere Rovers in the league table which also put a wry smile on many of the fans faces.Manager John Sheridan told Latics World, "We played very well today. Football-wise, that was the best performance of the season away from home. I know we had good results at Leeds and Everton but we dominated the game today. Mark Crossley made a couple of good saves after we got the first goal and we took control of the game after that. We moved the ball very well and it was an excellent team performance. I was disappointed to concede late on, but Neal Eardley got two goals and looked very comfortable in midfield, Gary and Deane both grabbed one and Craig Davies played his first game for a long time. We wanted to win the game and the attitude was spot on. We showed today that we are a very good team."
"I'm pleased Crewe stayed up because I like them as a club and I have a lot of time for Dario Gradi and his coaching staff. I'm also delighted for our fans because they gave us great support today and fortunately we gave them something to smile about. There were plenty of goals, we could have had more and the fans looked like they were enjoying themselves."
"Eighth (position) is an excellent return considering what we've been missing all season. We showed today that the young players are coming on leaps and bounds and that is a massive benefit for this club. Now we can hopefully strengthen with four or five new players this summer to give us one or two things and make us a better squad. If we can get the right blend we've got a chance next season because we've shown over the last two seasons we can match anyone. But the magic word - I've said this so many times and I'll say it for the last time now - is consistency."