Latics guest player column - Conor McAleny

But I have to say I feel at home already.

All the lads have been great with me, and made me feel really welcome – I already feel relaxed and settled.

The gaffer’s been superb, and I’ve also had a good response from Wigan fans on Twitter, which is always nice.

I’d actually heard about Wigan’s interest before the move came about, and we tried to get it sorted.

For one reason or another it didn’t happen, but when I got the call again on deadline day, I said: ‘Right, let’s go, let’s do it.’

On a personal note, I was delighted when Wigan came back in for me.

It’s not too far from my home, and I know a few of the lads here from before.

I played with Will Grigg during a previous loan spell at Brentford, I also know Lee Nicholls and I know of Max Power.

It always makes it easier for you when you know a few faces at a new club – you’ve got someone to go over to in the dressing room.

I’ve done it the other way when I haven’t known anyone, and it is a little bit more difficult.

I’ve already had a few loan spells in my career, and it’s something that’s only going to bring you on as a young player.

It’s something that’s going to challenge you, and it’s up to you as to how you react and what you get out of it.

I’ve been following Wigan’s progress since the previous interest, and I know they’re only five points off the top of the league and pushing for promotion.

It’s a passing team, a winning team, and one that scores a lot of goals – which is a perfect match for my style of play, so I’m buzzing.

The atmosphere is really bubbly, really positive, with a real energy about that place.

The training sessions have been really sharp, you can see the confidence oozing out of the players, and it’s a great environment to be in.

Automatic promotion has got to be the aim for us this season, and it’s definitely, definitely do-able.

It’ll be a tough game for us at Sheffield United this weekend, but I’d sooner it be that way – straight in to a big game.

Saturday can’t come quickly enough for me.

It’s obviously up to the gaffer, but I’m ready for the call if and when it comes.

I obviously spoke to the gaffer at Everton, Roberto Martinez, before I came here to Wigan.

He told me it was a great club with great fans, and he thought I’d do well here.

Roberto’s always had positive things to say about my career and the progress I’m making.

He’s always trying to help me, which is massive, and offer me advice – which is exactly what you need as a young player.

With the passing game the gaffer here likes to play, it’s similar to the Everton style of play, which I’m more than happy with.

My short-term goal is to put the performances in for Wigan, score as many goals as I can, and see where that leads me.

Conor McAleny was speaking to Paul Kendrick