McCann warns team-mates not to let standards slip

The Irishman is keeping a positive outlook ahead of Wigan’s trip to Walsall, which could see them break into the top two with a win.

And while he has warned of the dangers of sitting back on their good form of late, he is confident the quality runs through the Latics squad to get the job done.

“We’re a strong footballing side and it’s up to us not to let our standards slip,” he said.

“I don’t think anybody ever thought it was going to be easy but the spirit we have in this team and the togetherness will see us through.

“We need to make sure we get maximum points because we want to get hot on the heels of these top two.”

Latics will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games, and McCann insists they have been working hard to iron-out problems which arose last week.

“Hopefully that’s just a one off,” he said on last weekend’s stalemate.

“Everything we did was kind of laboured and in fairness to Oldham they came and did a job.

“They did it well and restricted us. We’ve worked on a couple of bits and hopefully take a positive performance into the weekend – and it’s a big chance to close the gap.”

But despite ringing areas to work on, McCann is satisfied with how his side’s campaign is shaping-up ahead of the final run-in.

“You can look at it two ways,” he explained.

“If we’d have gone to Sheffield United and drawn 0-0 then beat all of them 3-0 at home I don’t think you’d be reflecting on it as a bad week.

“Four points from six – everybody would have taken that.”

The shape of the table could look very different towards the top this time next week, with only Burton’s place at the summit safe from changing for now. Three points for Wigan would definitely lift them above Walsall, and McCann says everyone will be on their guard as the scramble for a strong finish gathers steam.

“I’m sure other teams around us will drop points and it’s up to us to make sure our form is good and we get the points that can put us into the top two spots,” he said.

“It’s so tight – Gillingham won and dropped us to fourth and that’s how tight it is at the top of the league.”