All about result today - Wigan Athletic star

The midweek loss at MK Dons made it six matches without a win - including five defeats - for Latics, who lie just a point clear of the League One drop zone.

And defender Tom James admits it's all about the result rather than the performance as fellow strugglers Northampton visit.

"When you're in the area of the league we are, performances are perhaps not as important as you'd think," he said.

"It's more about the results, and trying to put as much ground between yourselves and the teams below you as you can.

"Obviously it wasn't a great performance in midweek, and we didn't get the points we wanted.

"But the good thing about this league is there's always another game around the corner and we're looking to get back to winning ways.

"We're back at home and, if you ask any player, you'd rather be at home, in your usual surroundings.

"We want to make this as difficult a place for opposition teams to come, and we want to pick up where we left off against Plymouth last weekend.

"We won't have the fans there, but that's become like normal now, you just get on with it.

"At first, it was strange to get used to, but after a while you just adjust and it gets more normal the more you do it."

Latics are doing it tough at the moment, with their already threadbare squad - limited to just 23 players due to administration - having been slashed by a number of injuries.

"I think when you've got so many games in such a short space of time you're going to pick up knocks here and there," acknowledged James.

"For people like me, who have been lucky enough to stay fit, we've just got to look after our bodies as best we can and do what we can for the team."

The Welshman arrived last month from Hibs on a loan deal until January.

Despite being a recognised right-back, who can also play midfield, he's also filled in at left-back.

And after switching to centre-back in a new-look back three at MK Dons, James says he's happy to fill in wherever, as manager John Sheridan struggles for personnel.

"I'm happy to play anywhere across the back four," he added.

"I've also played midfield a bit, but I haven't played centre-back for a while now.

"It's something I enjoy doing, and I'm comfortable in there.

"You get more of the ball with the whole pitch open, as opposed to down one side, so there's more scope to pass the ball out.

"I enjoyed it the other night, despite the result, and I'm happy to stay in there while the manager needs me.

"It's a bit more physical, you might get one or two cuts and bruises from the big centre-forwards, but it's part and parcel of the game."

James announced his arrival with a bang, with a magnificent 30-yard free-kick into the top corner at Portsmouth last month.

His latest effort, in midweek...that went out for a throw-in? The less said about, the better...

"Hopefully the next one's a little bit better than the one the other night!" he laughed.

"I'd love to be able to say it was a swirling wind, or a moving ball, or a bobble, but I can't.

"It;s one of them, with the technique I use for the free-kicks, it's pretty fine margins.

"Sadly it didn't quite come off, but hopefully next time it will."

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