Ryan's mighty hopes for run-in

Latics head into Saturday’s home game against mid-table Cardiff looking to make up a five-point gap to safety – with only a possible nine up for grabs.

They could even be consigned to the drop with two games to spare if results go against them. But winger Colclough – who has come in from the cold since Graham Barrow took charge last month – insists no-one at the DW has given up hope just yet.

“We’re aiming to win the last three games and see where that takes us,” he told the Wigan Post.

“There’s no point aiming for draws in the position we’re in.

“Only wins will get us out of trouble, it’s points we need to get out of this.

“If I can play my part in that and contribute, then great.

“I’ve really enjoyed it since ‘G’ (Barrow) has come in.

“He’s given me a lot of chances to show what I can do.

“I feel I’ve done well with the chances I’ve had, and hopefully I can keep that going to the end of the season.”

Colclough showed some nice touches during his half-hour cameo at Brighton on Monday.

Alongside fellow Crewe old-boy Nick Powell, Colclough helped Latics to regain the initiative from their Premier League-bound hosts.

After Powell pulled a goal back with five minutes to go, the ex-Manchester United ace then saw another stoppage-time effort blocked by a desperate defender.

“We knew nobody was expecting us to go to Brighton and get a result,” acknowledged Colclough.

“But we gave them a run for their money in the last 15 minutes, it could have gone either way.

“Nick came off the bench and once again gave us a lifeline – it just wasn’t to

be.

“When me and Nick came on, we just wanted to get out there and be a threat.

“I like getting on the ball, attacking the defences.

“If I can get time and space do that, I’m confident in my ability to make something happen.”

Colclough believes a repeat of the performance at Brighton would put them on the right track to clip the wings of the Bluebirds.

“We knew what a threat they were, because they’ve been at the top of the table all season,” added the Burslem-born flyer.

“But for a couple of mistakes for their goals, I thought we limited them to not many chances.

Yes they’re a top team, but there was a feeling that we’d beaten ourselves in the changing room after the

game.

“The mood in the camp is still pretty good though.

“We’ll dust ourselves down, go again, and show we’ve still got fight left in us.”