Ryan Lowe's blunt message to Wigan Athletic attack - 'Stand up and be counted'
Ryan Lowe has told his Wigan Athletic forward players to 'stand up and be counted' as they bid to improve their fortunes in front of goal.
Latics have paid a high price for their profligacy this season, with their expected goals tally (xG) not being reflected enough on the scoresheet.
Having had an extra week on the training ground to prepare for this weekend's trip to Wimbledon, Lowe is hoping his side will come out firing to kickstart the run-in to Christmas.
"We're looking to get back to it this weekend, and hopefully the time we've had off will stand us in good stead,” he said.
"We asked the lads to go away, look at themselves, and come back with ideas of what they need to do better. We want them to set some small benchmarks of what we want, what we need.
"The data shows we're good in both boxes - albeit we're not scoring enough goals - and in the middle of the pitch we need to be more creative and better.
"We know we're probably in a bit of a false position in the table, we should have another four points, which would put us up into 12th position.
"That's what the stats say, and all of a sudden that doesn't look too bad. We just need to be a bit more ruthless, but it has been a good time for reflection - and to give the lads some targets and some objectives.
"We're sitting here five games unbeaten, which is always nice, but there's only one win in that...and we should have had at least another one.
"You've got to give yourself a platform from which to build, and we've certainly got that now. The challenge now is to turn some of those draws into wins and start to climb that table."
As a former striker himself - with more than 200 goals to his name - Lowe is acutely aware what needs to be done.
"You're looking at the xG and the changes created in the division, and we're one of the best in the division...we just need to start putting the ball in the back of the net more often," he said.
"The onus is on the attacking players, and we've told them that...they're not unaware of the situation...and I want them to stand up and be counted.
"Is there pressure attached to that? It doesn't really matter...just get the ball in the back of the net, because we're creating the opportunities.
"It's no secret. I've been there myself, I was a striker, and it is what it is. You have to score the goals when the chances come your way.
"Cal Wright's scored a couple of goals in his last two, which is what you want from your 8s or your 10s. But we want the strikers and the wing-backs to start chipping in, and also defenders from set-plays.
"We're putting the onus on them to score more goals, because that gives you a better chance of picking up three points rather than one.
"We just need to take the shackles off, find that little extra edge...and that might be just a little bit of luck, a penalty goes your way, or one goes in off someone's backside."