Wigan Athletic learning 'harsh lessons' at the moment

Latics - again missing SEVEN first-teamers - went down 1-0 at Blackpool on Tuesday night, a result which extends their winless sequence to eight matches and sees them drop to the foot of League One.

Sullay Kaikai's goal two minutes into the second half proved decisive and although, the visitors gave a decent account of themselves, they were again left wondering what might have been.

"Again it's all part of the learning curve, and we're obviously a very young team," acknowledged Richardson.

"But they must learn the importance of starting games, and halves, correctly.

"Although the results have gone against us late, it's really been minor details that have let us down.

"But minor details at this level cost you, and the lads have been learning some harsh lessons.

"Every mistake they've made, it's cost them goals and it's cost them results.

"And in a results-driven business, it's up to them to learn quick, and it's up to us to educate them quick."

There were plenty of positives, not least the performances of Adam Long, Emeka Obi and Kyle Joseph, making his first start for the club.

The Scotland Under-21 international hit the post for the second time in three days, and Richardson was delighted with how he took his big chance.

"I thought Kyle was excellent in his play, he was fearless in his play," added the Latics No.2.

"He had a couple of chances to score, and he almost popped up with an equaliser.

"And he'll learn so much from Joe Garner, about honesty and work ethic.

"Joe doesn't leave a breath out there on the pitch, and he's the perfect player for a youngster to play alongside.

"You look at the team as a whole...six or seven lads who were playing for the Under-23s last year.

"They're now cutting their teeth in League One, and it's refreshing to see as a club.

"The lads are taking their opportunities and they're learning on the job."

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