Wigan Athletic skipper cites differences since Gary Caldwell arrival - 'clear direction...a really good fit...'

Saturday's victory over Exeter City made it 14 points collected from the eight matches since Caldwell took over last month.

Over the course of a season, that would be enough to secure a high play-off berth, and Kerr is relishing life under his fellow Scot.

"I'm really enjoying playing under the gaffer," he said. "He's a really good manager, he pays attention to detail, he talks a lot, he's a good speaker, and that helps a lot.

"There's a lot of clear direction, which I'm enjoying and the rest of the team is enjoying. And we're excited to see where the future will take us.

"I watched him as a kid when he was at Hibernian and also Celtic, so I know all about him as a player, before coming down here to play in the Premier League. And you can only learn from someone like that.

"It definitely makes it easier when the manager's played in the same position, I think he even played in the middle of a three as well.

"He knows what he's talking about, he's been there and he's done it at the highest level, and there's obviously a lot to learn from him.

"Obviously he played for the club and managed the club before he came back, and he knows what it means to the club and the fans.

"The way he speaks before a game and also at the training ground resonates that, and he's just a really good fit for Wigan."

Caldwell's arrival has coincided almost perfectly with Kerr's own return to the side after two months out with a broken kneecap.

"It was tough, the first few games, getting back to full fitness after eight or nine weeks out," he acknowledged.

"You need those games to feel your way back into the groove, but I feel like I'm back at 100 percent now and ready to kick on.

"It wasn't nice having to watch the lads, but it's good to be back, playing week in, week out, and helping the lads to picking up points.

"It has healed 100 per cent. It is all good now. I feel ready for the fight."

Kerr's face gave way to a wry smile when asked about the circumstances that led to the injury in mid-December.

"I wish I could tell you that I was out on the piss and fell over and didn't tell the gaffer...would that sound better?" he laughed.

"I was actually at the park with my kids. It was dark and I was running around a tree.

"There was a small bench, I've got my hands in my pockets, and I fall over it because I was looking back.

"I fell over and the first thing that's hit the ground is my knee. Shock. I've instantly know fractured my knee cap.

"I didn't think it was that bad...tt was sore, but I thought it might ease off. But it didn't ease off.

"It was obviously very frustrating for me, I was gutted. But the upshot is I don't go to the park any more, the missus takes them now!"