Wigan Athletic chief reveals 'harsh' K'Marni Miller conversation that sparked run in side
How K’Marni Miller has nailed down a spot in the Wigan Athletic side - after Gary Caldwell admitted his treatment had been ‘harsh’
Gary Caldwell has revealed K'Marni Miller's run in the Wigan Athletic side came after an acknowledgement he had previously been 'a little bit harsh' with the player.
Miller, who turns 21 on Monday, has started each of the last three games in the league, after making his full debut at Leicester on October 27.
After several impressive cameos off the bench - including being denied what would have been a winning 'goal' at Barnsley in Carabao Cup by an incorrect offside flag - Miller has taken his chance with both hands.
Boosted by the confidence of scoring against Aston Villa Under-21s in the Jersey Mike's Cup, Miller has nailed down a spot on the left-hand side of the midfield.
That was capped by a man-of-the-match performance against Bromley last weekend, when he scored his first league goal and had a hand in the winning goal for Brad Burrowes.
For manager Caldwell, it's no more than the former Guiseley youth product deserves for the way he has developed this term.
"I spoke to K'Marni five or six weeks ago, after he'd come off the bench, and I said it was a little bit harsh," said Caldwell.
"He came on at Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, and scored a perfectly good goal that was wrongly disallowed.
"He then scored against Aston Villa Under-21s in the Jersey Mike's, and he had a big chance at Wimbledon.
"Every time he came on the pitch he was having actions in the final third, and I told him it was harsh that he wasn't in the first XI.
"But at the same time, for a player to play week in, week out at this level, you have to turn those actions into outcomes.
"And when K'Marni Miller plays like that, in terms of his goal and his assist, he can become player that is dangerous at this level.
"His speed is really dangerous, and he needs to find a way to make the most of that on a more consistent basis.
"When he does, he is a very high-potential player, and we're delighted he's come into the team and made the impact he's made."