'That shows I actually mean it' - Gary Caldwell on secret behind Wigan Athletic's upturn

Latics have picked up an impressive 14 points from their eight matches under Caldwell, and travel to Reading this weekend with a three-point buffer over the League One drop zone, with a game in hand.

And no-one in the squad can have any complaints that they have not been given a chance to share in the upturn in fortunes.

"It was pleasing last weekend - when Harrison (Bettoni) started - that every single player that's been fit and available has now had a chance from the off since I've come in," he said.

"To give the whole squad an opportunity, in the space of eight games, shows we believe in each and every one of them, that they will all get the chance to show what they can do.

"It shows there's a real squad element to how we want to achieve our goals, and every one of them should take credit in what we've achieved up to this point.

"I wouldn't say it was something in my head that I thought I had to do. But I always like to give people an opportunity to show me what they can do.

"Anyone that's shown me something, either on the training ground or on the pitch, has deserved their opportunity to play from the start.

"In Harrison's case, he's been training much better in recent weeks, and we felt that as the last player of the fit and available ones yet to start, he deserved that chance.

"That, to me, shows when I say it's about everyone, it's about the squad, I actually mean it.

"You can say that all you want, but if you pick the same 11 players every time then nobody's going to have much faith in your word.

"Giving everyone a chance shows that if you train well and you take your chance in a game, you will get opportunities to play in this team."

Many of the players have mentioned there being a greater 'clarity' since Caldwell took the reins — a key thing the manager admits he wanted to implement

"When I came in, I think you could sense the uncertainty, maybe the players lacked clarity and confidence in what they were doing," said Caldwell.

"I think you can see that confidence now in what they're doing, they playing with real assuredness, and there's a clarity in what we're trying to do.

"When you get that, and the players' confidence is coming back, the players are playing well, injured players are coming back...it's all good."

Caldwell must decided whether to shuffle his pack or keep the same side that beat Exeter City 2-0 last weekend.

Defender James Carragher is the main doubt, after only making his return from a 10-game absence against the Grecians during a late cameo off the bench.

"Carra came back into the squad on Saturday and got on to the pitch at the end, but he felt his ankle a little bit," added Caldwell. "We've looked after him for much of the week, and hopefully he'll be fine for Saturday."