Wigan Athletic chief won't be swayed by emotion or sentiment

Having secured their safety with a fortnight to spare, the pressure slightly eased ahead of Saturday's visit of AFC Wimbledon – possibly contributing to Latics’ 1-0 home defeat - before the season-ending trip to Stevenage next weekend.

With so many of the squad out of contract this summer, a number of them will be coming to the end of their time at Wigan.

However, a top-half finish remains a realistic goal and, with Stevenage needing points to secure a play-off berth, Caldwell says Latics will respect the 'integrity of the competition' all the way.

"I want to win the next game, and I will be picking a team that will win the next game," he said. "There will be no other motives than that.

"Obviously I might want to look at certain players, but that will always in the feeling that these players are good enough to win the game.

"My first thought when picking any team is 'are these players good enough to win the game?' And that won't change.

"It's about doing what's right for us, and also what's doing what's right for the league.

"If we were in a position of uncertainty, we would certainly expect other teams to be playing at their maximum, at their best, to finish as strongly as they can."

Caldwell spent last Thursday evening on stage at the Brick Community Stadium for the club's annual fans forum, where - along with sporting director Gregor Rioch, managing director Sarah Guilfoyle and board member Lucas Danson - fans grilled them for a good two hours.

"I think it's brilliant that as a group we can sit there and be ourselves, be open and honest, which is all the supporters want to see," said Caldwell.

"It's nice for them to see the personalities involved, and what we try to bring to the club on a daily basis.

"We're all just trying to do our best for Wigan Athletic, and I understand that frustration among the supporters will sometimes spill over.

"But I genuinely believe everyone is pulling in the right direction, and as ever we'll need the supporters with us on that journey."

Caldwell saw the funny side of one exchange, when a question from the floor was addressed to 'Rioch or Gary', which prompted laughter from everyone, including the latter himself.

"That did make me chuckle, I must admit!" smiled the Scot. "But I do think you have to be able to laugh at yourself along the way, to be able to fully understand those moments that everyone goes through.

"There will probably be times next year when things aren't going so well, and it might be me that's coming in for a bit of criticism.

"It's how you behave in those moments, and how you come through those moments, that are ultimately going to define you.

"And everyone at this football club has stood up and made some big decisions at big moments this season, and at the moment it's going well.

"But it's always about what's coming next, and how you can be even better, to make next season totally different to this one."