Wigan Athletic boss reflects on -'all important' first win in charge

Jack Whatmough's header with 10 minutes to go ensured Maloney's first home game in charge had the perfect finish.

Only goal difference now separates Latics from fourth-bottom Cardiff, with Latics looking like they have turned a massive corner.

"I guess the result was all important today," said Maloney.

"Obviously you're really aware of the situation, but in terms of the work we put in, and how we prepared, I hope we took the pressure off the players.

"The performance, probably, was similar from both teams, they were possibly a bit more dominant in the first half, we were a bit more dominant in the second half.

"I definitely felt the momentum switch after half-time, and I'm just really pleased for the players.

"It gives them belief and a bit more confidence that this is possible.

"Neither side created too much, but our fans stuck with us, and at no point did I sense any negativity from the players.

"Big thanks to them for that, and also credit to the players for the fight they showed, all the way to the last free kick at the death.

"I was really happy with the subs as well, obviously we had to change the line-up, people came into the squad and into the team, and everyone reacted very well."

The game itself had been every bit as nip and tuck as one would expect given the precarious league position of both sides.

Ben Amos had made a couple of fine saves to keep Town out, with Latics struggling to force his opposite number into much work.

However, a raft of attacking changes in the second half – including the introduction of Tom Pearce, Ashley Fletcher and Thelo Aasgaard – helped to tip the balance Wigan’s way.

Whatmough had said in the lead-up that the game would be the biggest since he arrived from Portsmouth in the summer of 2021.

And he popped up at the end to nod home James McClean’s deep corner – and send the DW into ecstasy.

Only goal difference now separates Latics from fourth-bottom Cardiff.