Wigan Athletic chief says youthful exuberance bodes well - 'It will be an exciting journey'

Latics went into the game on the back of three defeats in a row, but blitzed the opposition right from the off.

After Fraser Murray hit a post and had another effort cleared off the line, it looked as though Latics might again fail to pick up the points that their performance deserved.

But a brace from Jensen Weir and a volley from skipper Max Power secured their first points of the campaign.

Not that the manager was getting carried away after the game.

"It's obviously important to get your first points on the board," he said. "But it's also important when you're a new team that you build an identity that you think will last for 46 games.

"Even when you lose, and you review the game, yes there's a disappointment, and yes we want to win. But there are also areas we can show and say 'this is what we're doing', and if we keep doing it, we will win games.

"I said on Sunday, after we lost at Wimbledon, everything wasn't rubbish. And I said in midweek, everything wasn't perfect, and there are still areas we can improve.

"We have to stick to the process, and that means trying to get better for the next game, and the one after that."

The win was underpinned by youthful exuberance, with summer signings Charlie Gray (20) and Brad Burrowes (18) shining on their debut, and 17-year-old Reggie Walsh impressing off the bench.

"I think you can see already, we want to be young, free-flowing team," Caldwell added.

"Some of the football tonight, when we passed through the middle, they put pressure on and we played in behind...the decision making was outstanding.

"We finished the game with a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old in the attacking line, so there's going to be areas where those players need more understanding and support and help them to become even better.

"It is difficult now in the modern world, but after a game now, everyone goes straight onto their phone, and there's an outside world that can influence how you see yourself and what you're doing.

"We have to really stay a close unit that sticks together in good and bad moments, but I'm really looking to seeing where this season can go with this group of players.

"I said it last weekend but I think this needs a reality check a little bit. The fans were outstanding...they've seen a young group, and I'd love to come and watch them every week.

"Yes there'll be bumps in the road along the way but, if you stick with this football team, I think it will be an exciting journey."

Goalkeeper Joe Whitworth – a deadline-day signing from Crystal Palace – also brought a calmness to the backline from the off.

"Joe brought personality and composure to the team,” added Caldwell. "It wasn't an easy decision to put him straight in, but Joe Walsh took it incredibly well. And that's what we need, because we talk about 'team first' a lot, and that was a brilliant example of that.”