Maloney acknowledges 'full respect' for forgotten man of Wigan Athletic
Shaun Maloney has spoken of his 'full respect' for Ben Amos following the goalkeeper's match-winning return to the Wigan Athletic side.
With Sam Tickle away with the England Under-21 squad, Amos made only his second appearance of the campaign in the final EFL Trophy group game at Tranmere.
After keeping a clean sheet, Amos was the Latics hero in the penalty shoot-out, saving two spot-kicks to ensure the visitors got the bonus point to finish top of the group.
Having spent almost the whole season on the bench, Maloney made special mention of Amos’ professionalism – and revealed he’s been working hard behind the scenes to improve a key aspect of his game.
"I was pleased with Ben, and also what he did with his feet,” said the Latics boss of a player who was an ever-present during the League One title-winning campaign of 2021-22.
"I can see a big improvement in his game over the last eight or nine months, there's really been that improvement.
"He was the one who was starting off the play for us.
"When I first came in - and where we were in the Championship - he produced some really big saves for me.
"He played when he didn't get paid, so I'll always have full respect for him.
"At the moment we've got a very young goalkeeper who's doing outstandingly well.
"But I'm really pleased for Ben, he deserved that, he works very hard on a daily basis and full credit to him."