Latics manager depserate for a win against Walsall

OAFC

Dino Maamria is desperate for a Latics win against Walsall tonight (Tuesday) - at least then the post-match mood at home will be a little lighter!

The Latics boss was understandably dejected after Saturday's dismal home Sky Bet League Two defeat by Macclesfield, but spirits within the camp have already lifted again and the sole focus is now on dismantling a Saddlers side who are also struggling this term since relegation from League One.

Maamria said, "Obviously losing any game kills me, and I feel sorry for my wife when I get home after it.
"The first thing I do when I go home is watch the game and digest it, I look at myself in all of this, and then I break it down and look at some of the tactical details.

"We then spoke about the Macclesfield game on Monday in training, and already we've been working out a way forward.

"We definitely need to start on the front foot tonight, against a Walsall team who are in a similar situation to ourselves.

"Both Scunthorpe and Walsall have been through lots of changes since relegation, like ourselves, and that change is never easy.

"You need to find that consistency and pick the right team, and these things need time. That's where Walsall are at, at the moment.

"They've got a strong squad on paper, again similar to us, and they are trying to find that rhythm in a new division.
"It's vital for us to be starting games much better, though.

"We need to be attacking and dominating from the first minute."

Ahead of the clash against a Walsall side who have lost their last three matches, Maamria has a few absentee headaches on his plate.

Tomas Egert, Filipe Morais and Mo Sylla are suspended, while Dylan Fage, Johan Branger-Engone and Zak Mills are out injured.

There will again be at least a couple of Latics Academy graduates on the bench tonight, after teenager Lewis McKinney made his league debut at the weekend.

"It's a real opportunity for some of these young lads to step up," added Maamria.

"I'll be looking to hand more of our exciting young players their debuts before the season is out."

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