Perkins hopes for Oakwell repeat

Latics travel to Barnsley this weekend looking for a boost after a sluggish start which sees them third-bottom after 16 matches.

Despite romping to the League One title last term, Perkins and co also initially struggled to hit their straps – before an away win at Barnsley in December kicked-off an incredible 20-game unbeaten run that underpinned their success.

And the veteran midfielder – who was this week named League One plauyer of the year at the North West football awards – is hoping lightning can strike twice at his former club.

“That win was so important for us in achieving our goals,” he told Wigan Today. “Kells (Andy Kellett) scored a great early goal, and it kicked us off an a long unbeaten run.

“We’ll have good memories of the place and hopefully we can kickstart another decent run of results.

“We’ll have to roll up our sleeves if we want to get a result, it’s a tough place to go.

“The Championship on the whole is a very competitive league, and there’s no easy games.”

Perkins and his colleagues have been hard at work on the training ground over the international break, getting to grips with the methods of new boss Warren Joyce.

“I’ve seen a few managers off now so it’s nothing new,” acknowledged Perkins, who was sorry to see the back of Gary Caldwell, the manager who brought him to Wigan in the summer of 2015.

“It’s sad to see managers go, but it’s also good to see new managers come in and 
see what they bring to the table.

“We’ve been working hard over the international break, and hopefully we can make all the hard work we’ve put in count and get three points this weekend.

“Everyone gets a clean slate under a new manager.

“Training’s been intense, it’s been hard, and we all know every single shirt is up for grabs.

“We had a good 11-versus-11 practice game on Saturday that went well, and hopefully we can take it from there.”