Latics have full-strength squad ahead of Morecambe match

Latics have been fortunate in staying generally injury-free so far this season, but at the same time boss Laurent Banide acknowledges it's been a tough job keeping all his players happy.

Once again Frenchman Banide has a full-strength squad available ahead of the Sky Bet League Two visit of Morecambe to Boundary Park on Saturday.

The only slight doubt concerns first-choice goalkeeper Gary Woods, who has picked up a knock in training this week.

Asked about making sometimes tough choices in the run-up to games, Banide said: "It's not easy.

"It's difficult when we feel the connection within the team. We have to be careful about that.

"I know it's difficult for some players, but it's important to keep some rhythm in the team.

"We need to try and keep that connection and create a good feeling.

"We cannot change the team every time, but we also want all of the players to follow our philosophy."

Banide also acknowledges it's been a frustrating couple of weeks in terms of leads being tossed away late in games.

Latics, currently sat in 21st place in the fourth tier table, have drawn their last three league games 2-2, the latter two (at home to Grimsby and away at Scunthorpe on Tuesday) seeing two-goal leads thrown away due to late lacks of concentration.

Despite those statistics, Banide remains distinctly upbeat and knows that performance improvements are clearly evident.

"We can do better, of course," added Banide.

"But we've shown the team the first game, and now it's different.

"There needs to be more concentration and we must keep the ball better, but there is spirit in the team.

"I take my responsibility for where we are as a team."

Banide went on: "It's better, it's not fantastic, but it's better.

"We need to have time to continue.
"We've seen the quality in the team, but of course it's still not enough."

Morecambe, under long-serving boss Jim Bentley, are struggling again this season and sit a place below Latics in the table at present.

They have won only once so far this term, at Macclesfield on August 20.

 

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