Wigan Athletic matchwinner on 'perfect week', squad overhaul and 'massive challenge ahead'

Lee Evans has already moved on from Wigan Athletic's 'perfect week' - with his sights firmly set on Tuesday night's trip to Shrewsbury.
Lee Evans nets Latics' second goal from the penalty spotLee Evans nets Latics' second goal from the penalty spot
Lee Evans nets Latics' second goal from the penalty spot

Latics' third victory in the space of seven days - 2-0 against Crewe - saw them open up a four-point buffer over the bottom four with four games to go.

Rather than get carried away, however, Evans is keeping his eyes on the overall prize...League One survival.

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"We were buzzing after the game but then our attention quickly turns to Tuesday, because we know we are still right in the relegation scrap," he said.

"We can't just think now we've got three results this week that we're safe, because we're not - as other teams are still picking up points.

"Tuesday is another massive challenge, and it's another game that we want to win and try and climb up the table if we can."

With Gavin Massey and Tom Pearce injured, Evans and skipper Jamie Jones are the only two players from last year's squad trying to save Latics from a second successive relegation.

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The Wales international admits it's been a campaign like no other, with a revolving door both last summer and in January.

But he also underlined the steely determination in the camp to overcome all the odds - and ensure the rebuild under Phoenix 2021 Limited begins in League One.

"If you look at the team at the start of the season compared to now, it's completely different," he acknowledged.

"In January, I cannot tell you how many players we brought in on the top of my head, but things take time.

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"We knew we were coming into the business end of the season, and we could keep making excuses that we've got new players, and we're not quite gelling yet.

"But with the way we have been performing in the last few days, we've grown in confidence.

"We are still in the relegation scrap, but it has been a perfect week and we'll now look forward to Tuesday."

After Joe Dodoo opened the scoring with a fortuitous opener on 15 minutes, Evans sealed the points from the penalty spot after Callum Lang was upended by Omar Beckles, who was shown a straight red card.

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"Langy went down and I stepped up, I fancied the penalty, and just hit the back of the net thankfully," Evans added.

"The keeper got a good hand to it, I thought he nearly saved it, but it was a nice bit of power to get past him."

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