'Mountain to climb was too high,' admits Wigan Athletic defender
Morgan Fox admitted Wigan Athletic gave themselves too much of a 'mountain to climb' after Stockport County blitzed them early at the Brick Community Stadium.
Three goals in the opening 21 minutes from Kyle Wootton, Harry Wood and Jack Diamond had the points all-but secured early doors.
And although Archie Harris hit the post for Latics, and substitute Chris Sze forced a good save from the visiting goalkeeper, Stockport added a fourth in the last minute through Ryan Glover.
"We lost it right at the start of the game. We got it wrong, and gave ourselves a mountain to climb," acknowledged Fox.
"When we changed, the game changed a little bit, and the second half was better, we had a couple of chances from which we should have scored.
"Emotions are so high after a game, and sometimes it's hard to say. But for me, if you're slightly off it, against a good side, like they are, you'll get punished.
"Look, any time you get beat 4-0, especially at home, you're hurting. I'm gutted, and I know every single one of the lads in the dressing room is the same.
"Stockport are a good side, they picked us off, scored their goals early, and got the job done.
"You can do as much as you want on the training ground, but nothing really compares to matchday and the pressure of the three points.
"We're a really new group, and I'm not looking for excuses, but Stockport are a group that's largely been together for a while. That's where we want to get to, and that has to be the aim."