'˜Optimistic' Barrow is looking for a response

Graham Barrow remains '˜very optimistic' about the future of Wigan Athletic despite relegation back to the third tier.
Graham BarrowGraham Barrow
Graham Barrow

Barrow was unable to prevent Latics slipping out of the Championship, after taking over the reins from Warren Joyce in March.

The damage had already been done by then, with Latics hamstrung by disappointing recruitment in each of the last two transfer windows.

But Barrow insists the future is bright at the DW Stadium.

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“I’m very optimistic about the future, when you look at the squad of players we have here,” he said.

“There’s a lot I could say...the recruitment has been disappointing. That was taken out of my hands – that’s for certain.

“I’m not washing my hands of anything, but there’s things that need to be said. Last summer, and January...it was poor. Simple as that.

“Me and Gary (Caldwell) brought 15 players in to the club two summers ago.

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“I think we need to have a good luck at ourselves internally. That will take place over the summer and I hope to be a part of that.”

Meanwhile, ex-Latics midfielder Michael Brown is the new permanent Port Vale boss.

The 40-year-old had been in caretaker charge since last December, but was unable to prevent the club being relegated into League Two.

“My focus now is to assemble a squad capable of getting the club back in to League One,” said Brown.

“Everyone is still disappointed, but we need to look ahead and start preparing for next season.”