'Massive' win for us - Wigan Athletic chief

Leam Richardson acknowledged Wigan Athletic's victory over Crewe - which moves them four points clear of the League One drop zone with four games to go - was 'massive'.
Viv Solomon-Otabor was a constant menace to CreweViv Solomon-Otabor was a constant menace to Crewe
Viv Solomon-Otabor was a constant menace to Crewe

An early freak goal from Joe Dodoo and a late penalty from Lee Evans saw Latics deservedly see off the Railwaymen, who finished with 10 men after Omar Beckles was red-carded for pulling down Callum Lang in the box.

And Richardson was understandably delighted at his side picking up a third league win in a row for the first time this season to lift themselves out of the mire.

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"It's very satisfying, and I'm so pleased for the players and the staff," he said.

"To get three wins in the space of a week, at such a crucial point in the season, is massive.

"But at the same time, my message is to continue to dampen it, because we haven't achieved anything yet.

"All we've done is work very hard and been fortunate enough to land on the right side of the result three times.

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"We've spoken before about feeling our performance levels had been at a standard that wasn't being reflected in the points return.

"That sometimes happens in sport, and all you can do is continue the hard work and maintain the good habits you've created.

"The mindset stays the same, and we keep working hard and focusing on the next game, which is Tuesday at Shrewsbury."

Latics took the lead in extremely fortuitous circumstances, when Dodoo charged down a Crewe clearance - and watched the ball loop over the head of Will Jaaskelainen and into the back of the net.

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"You'll take goals like that every which way they come," Richardson reflected.

"Because we've certainly had our fair share of things going against us at the other end.

"I thought Joe deserved that little bit of luck for the hard work he continues to put in for the team.

"Again he put in a big shift, and he's just hugely infectious at the top end of the pitch."

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The Latics boss also praised dangerman Lang, whose driving run through the heart of the defence and into the area effectively settled the game.

"That's just Callum isn't it, being able to do something like that," Richardson said.

"He does get a little bit frustrated sometimes about the areas he's asked to play.

"But with the qualities he has, he's able to drive through defences like that, and he's a handful for anybody.

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"He'll be disappointed he didn't manage to get his shot away before he was clipped.

"But he brought us a big moment in the game - the penalty and the red card - and we felt we'd be able to control the rest of the game from there.

"And I had full faith in Lee to put it away.

"He's a good player, a good lad, and he wants to do his best to help this football club."

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