Wigan Athletic boss 'signs off' on bittersweet note

John Sheridan admitted he was pleased with the performance - if not the result - from what is expected to be his last game in charge of Wigan Athletic.
Will Keane puts Latics ahead at Prenton ParkWill Keane puts Latics ahead at Prenton Park
Will Keane puts Latics ahead at Prenton Park

Wigan Today understands the 2-2 draw at Tranmere - which saw Latics crash out of the Papa John's Trophy via a penalty shoot-out - was Sheridan's swansong after only two months in charge.

The 56-year-old - who had only been working to a monthly contract - is expected to become the new manager of League One rivals Swindon Town in the coming days.

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And despite seeing Latics extend their winless sequence to 10 matches across three competitions - Sheridan was relatively happy with what he witnessed from his youthful line-up at Prenton Park.

Latics twice led, through Will Keane and Harry McHugh on debut, and had opportunities late on to secure the victory in normal time.

"It was a really good performance, with some really good things, and a couple of really good goals," he said.

"I thought we looked really good in the first half, we took care of the ball, and the only shame was we didn't win the game.

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"In any competition you always want to win or go through to the next round, and we had chances to do that.

"I was a bit disappointed with the way our penalties went, sometimes you've just not got to be clever and just put a bit of pace on it.

"But on the whole there were a lot of good things from the game."

After playing Saturday-midweek-Saturday for what seems like all season, Latics now have a 10-day break until their next fixture at Oxford, with Saturday's scheduled trip to AFC Wimbledon having fallen foul of Covid-19.

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And that should at least see Sheridan's replacement being able to welcome back some of the walking wounded currently occupying the treatment room.

"It's important the injured lads get back as quickly as possible," added Sheridan.

"The lads who are out are good, experienced players, and they would obviously help the league position a lot.

"And hopefully the break now will enable one or two of them to come back.

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"The young lads have obviously played a lot of games in a short space of time.

"And the more bodies that come back into the squad the better."

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