Why Joe Whitworth is 'clean' cut out for success at Wigan Athletic

Gary Caldwell admits he's no 'goalkeeping expert by any stretch of the imagination' - but he reckons he knows the key ingredient behind Joe Whitworth's crucial clean sheet for Wigan Athletic against Reading.

Latics recorded only a second league victory of the campaign at the weekend thanks to Scott Hogan's scuffed effort with 20 minutes to go.

Just as important as Hogan's strike, however, was Whitworth's performance at the other end, where he pulled off a string of fine saves to thwart the Royals.

The 22-year-old showed exactly why Caldwell brought him to the club from Premier League Crystal Palace over the summer - after two years together on loan at Exeter City.

Not that Caldwell was going overboard when reflecting on Saturday's shoot-out.

"That's his job!" smiled the Scot. "I probably sound like Roy Keane, but he's a goalkeeper and that's what he's there for - to make saves.

"I think what I really like about Joe is how clean he is. Not only does he make big saves, but some other shots were bouncing in front of him, and nothing ever comes off him.

"Joe's handling was exceptional. Some of those saves were awkward, the ball could have been spilled and they could have had further chances.

"I'm not a goalkeeping expert by any stretch of the imagination, but his handling and his technique is very, very good.

"That can be worth so much because, if one of those shots spills off him, and they get a scrappy goal, we could be sitting here talking about a much different story."

Caldwell also hailed the impact of striker Hogan, who spent most of the summer on trial at Wigan before winning a short-term contract shortly after the transfer window closed.

"Scott's been brilliant," enthused Caldwell. "And he brings with him a real experience and know-how. He also drops into clever positions.

"When we brought Christian (Saydee) on, we dropped him deeper to play under the ball, and the goal came from pulling a centre-back out.

"I've been there myself, when you go in with '10s', and centre-backs always want to recover to the goal, where you feel more secure.

"The goal came because Scott stayed three or four yards back, and he's there for either a cutback or a second ball.

"He's not had many starts, but that's two goals already, and it's great to see him finding his feet."