Wigan Athletic boss admits shock at defender progression - 'I didn't know'
Gary Caldwell has spoken of his shock at discovering Wigan Athletic had a hidden gem he was utterly unaware of!
The Latics head coach handed Llyton Chapman his first senior start at Blackpool on Saturday.
After substitute appearances against Stockport County and Huddersfield Town, the 20-year-old – who joined Latics in the summer of 2024 after being released by then-non-league outfit Oldham Athletic – was drafted into the backline with Morgan Fox injured.
And his performance in the 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road fully justified Caldwell's faith in him.
Not bad for someone who wasn't even on the Scot's radar when he took charge less than three weeks ago!
"I knew very little about him...I didn't know anything at all!" laughed Caldwell "But after only a few days' training with him, you could see his quality.
"We've brought him on during a couple of games, at critical moments, and he's been unfazed by everything he's encountered.
"It's his mentality more than anything, and today again...big game, big stadium...and he played with a real maturity and a real confidence.
"He's a great find, and you only find out about players like him when you put them in, when you ask questions of them.
"You can see the potential and the ability is there, but it's whether they can cope with the next step, in a big game like this, against big, physical strikers.
"He's stood up to everything so far and long may that continue."
Chapman's full debut lasted 66 minutes before he was replaced by Luke Robinson, who was making his first appearance since the corresponding fixture against Blackpool on December 20.
And the duo could have roles to play in the run-in with Fox joining defensive colleagues James Carragher and Jack Hunt in the treatment room.
"Llyton cramped up, which is something we thought before the game might happen," explained Caldwell.
"That was why we put Robbo on the bench...he's been rushed back a little bit...with Carra, Foxy and Hunty out injured.
"It shows everyone in the squad will be needed at some point until the end of the season."