'A stramash' - Gary Caldwell on why Wigan Athletic's success against Luton Town was made in Scotland!

Joe Taylor's 73rd-minute goal in Caldwell's first game back in charge gave Latics a first league victory of 2026, which saw them climb out of the drop zone on goal difference.

But just as important was the incredible effort in the seventh minute of added time, which saw both Morgan Fox and Will Aimson clearing goalbound shots off the Latics line.

"When you're 1-0 up going into the last 10 minutes, and you haven't won for as long as we have, you're always going to kind of sit in, and be unsure how you're going to get over the line," acknowledged Caldwell.

"But the bodies on the line in stoppage-time...it's called a stramash in Scotland...yes, it's an actual word...a Scottish word.

"A stramash is when it's all kicking off...it normally happens in pubs in Scotland...but this one was in the 18-yards box in stoppage-time!

"It was quite incredible, the amount of blocks going in...every time it fell to a Luton player, there was a Wigan player right in his face stopping the ball going into the net.

"And it was brilliant to see that character and desire to win football matches.

"It's what you have to do sometimes...remember we're playing against a team that's going for the play-offs, we're not going to win these games comfortably.

"This is a tough league where every team can beat every other team, and when you're 1-0 up with seconds to go, and the ball keeps landing at the feet of their players…

"It's not only the blocks, it's the amount of bodies we had in the box...we spoke to the players about being connected...and everyone was back in the box where they needed to be."

Caldwell also hailed the contribution of his strikers, with goalscorer Taylor being complimented by Christian Saydee from the start, and by Dara Costelloe - who laid on the winning goal - off the bench.

"I thought the three No.9s were all incredible in different ways," added the Latics chief.

"Christian was amazing, with his physicality, and his hold-up play.

"Joe was always a threat, and he will always score goals, his finishing is sensational.

"And Dara came off the bench and gave us that energy, the decision making, the quality of pass, when most strikers would have backed themselves and shot.

"That shows the selflessness he has, and the understanding of what it takes as a team to win a game. None of them were playing for themselves, they were playing for the team, and it was great to see.

"I need to also thank the crowd...they were amazing, and I knew they would be. They've been amazing with me all through my time here, as a player and as a manager.

"They got right behind the team when we needed them late in that game, and it took every single person inside the stadium to keep that ball out of the net.

"We managed to do that, and hopefully it gives them belief and confidence that we can get a team out there that they can be proud of."