Will Grigg capable of burning Wigan Athletic, admits old pal

It’s almost two years since the Northern Ireland international left Wigan for Wearside on transfer deadline day in a deal worth up to £4million.

He had been bought to fire the Black Cats back up from League One – having won promotion to the second tier on FOUR previous occasions, including twice with Latics.

Unfortunately, he’s been unable to find the net with the same regularity as during the rest of his career, with Sunderland now in their third season in the third tier.

But Richardson needs no reminding of the 29-year-old’s predatory instincts.

“One thing’s for sure, he knows where the back of the net is – he’s shown that throughout his career,” enthused the Latics acting manager.

“If you give Will even half a yard, he’ll create a goalscoring chance out of it.

“It’s important for us to be mindful of the areas he likes to take up, the areas they’re likely to look to.

“And it’ll be up to our defenders to be mindful of all the dangers posed by him and other strikers.”

Richardson admits he’s at a loss to explain why the move to Sunderland hasn’t yet borne fruit.

“You don’t know what’s been going on, whatever answer I give would possibly be the wrong one,” he said.

“There’s only Will and the people he’s worked with who’d potentially know what’s gone on.

“Certainly his numbers have changed, but it absolutely won’t be for the lack of trying.

“Knowing Will, first and foremost he’s a fantastic lad, on and off the pitch.

“He’s a fantastic professional, and I really, really enjoyed working with him.”

Richardson and Latics will also be reunited with Max Power, who made the trip north six months before Grigg, and who now wears the captain’s armband.

“Exactly the same as Will, Max is someone who I liked on the pitch and also as a person,” added Richardson.

“He’s probably one of the players who I’ve worked with who will get the most amount possible out of his career and his ability.

“He loves football, he works tirelessly, he used to be first in the gym with us staff at 6.30-7 in the morning before training.

“He puts everything into his game, he’s now taken the captaincy, and he’s a great player to take a club forward.”

Richardson says the pair are be two of the players he’s kept in touch with after moving on to pastures new.

“Obviously you’re going to get on with some players you’ve worked with better than some others,” he added.

”But a fair few of them we keep in touch with, and be there if they ever need some advice – if things are going well or even not so well.

”Max and Will are both in that bracket, and you’re always there on the other end of the phone to have a chat as and when required."

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