Warnock aims high

The former England defender wants to help Latics back into the Premier League, and thinks to do that they can’t worry about other sides in the Championship, including today’s opponents.

The Lancashire derby sees the 34-year-old line up against a club for which he made 88 appearances between 2007 and ‘09, with former Latics manager Owen Coyle taking charge of Rovers to add some extra spice to the occasion.

“I didn’t come here to play Championship football and just stick there and stay at that,” Warnock told the Evening Post.

“What’s the point in being substandard and not being successful?

“I want to progress and get the team back up to the Premier League.

“We can’t think about them and what they want to do to be successful.

“We can only face who’s in front of us.”

Ormskirk-born Warnock also isn’t worried about Latics’ start to the season, which has produced two 2-1 defeats, in the league to Bristol City and in the League Cup to Oldham.

With a long season ahead, he is confident Latics can push for success if they stick to what Gary Caldwell believes will work.

“We believe in what we’re doing, we believe in what the coaches and the managers are telling us to do,” he said.

“It’s a style and philosophy we believe in and it will give us success.”

Last season’s League One champions are now looking to get up to speed, and Warnock doens’t want to see his team mates waste any time in rediscovering the form which led them to promotion last term.

“Now we want to concentrate and get back to the way we played last season,” he explained.

“You have to aim for the top.

“That’s an ambition I want and I think it’s shared among the group and we believe in that.

“If you don’t believe it you won’t succeed.”