Wigan Athletic chief hails heroes after beating Blackpool - 'God knows what the players felt like'

Gary Caldwell hailed his Wigan Athletic players for digging deep after a harrowing week to overcome Blackpool in a five-goal thriller at the Brick.

Latics made it two wins in the rebranded Jersey Mike's Trophy - named after a New York-based sandwich franchise that has just entered the UK market - to all-but secure their place in the knockout stage.

Connor Barrett scored the opening goal inside three minutes, and set up the others for Scott Hogan and substitute Fraser Murray, while Blackpool responded through a Tom Bloxham penalty and Jerry Yates.

After the weekend home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers - with the Wigan players and staff visibly affected by the recent passing of goalkeeping coach Kevin Miller - it was a magnificent effort from all concerned.

"I said to the lads I think we all get a meatball sub from Jersey Mike's for winning, so that was the inspiration," smiled Caldwell.

"But it's good that we've won again, and it probably means we're through with six points.

"That would be really good going into the last group game, with the opportunity to really rotate and rest some players.

"We've played two strong teams to win both games so far, we've managed to do that, and I think it was another brilliant effort from the players.

“Energy wise and commitment wise, this performance followed a horrific week and the horrific day that Saturday was, with all the emotion involved.

"I feel utterly drained, so God knows what the players felt like, and for them to dig in against a Blackpool team that kept going, and didn't let us coast to victory.

"The players deserve so much credit for hanging on for the win."

The game was an almost carbon copy of the opening group victory over Aston Villa Under-21s, when Latics put in a thoroughly dominant display, only to end up hanging on for a 3-2 triumph.

"Yes we need to be better, and that's definitely one area, we need to manage games better," added Caldwell.

"We need to keep the ball better, understand the flow of the game better...when to keep possession in the right areas of the pitch, when to be a compact team to play against.

"The game was a bit too open for my liking, as was the second half against Aston Villa Under-21s in the last game.

"That's probably what this competition does, it probably allows you to take the handbrake off a little bit, and play with a bit more freedom.

"Definitely we need to manage those moments better - especially in the league - but as I always say, when we lose there are always positives, and when we win there are things we can get better at.

"We have to keep working towards our process, to be the best team we can be.

"We know we're a long way off that, but we will continue to work towards that over the coming weeks."

Latics opened the scoring with their first attack, when Barrett cut in off the right and steered a low left-foot strike into the bottom corner.

A brilliant run and shot from Brad Burrowes almost brought about number two, only for the ball to come back off the near post.

The home side doubled their lead 12 minutes after the restart when Barrett's cross was headed home superbly by Hogan.

Josh Bowler came close to pulling one back for Blackpool, only for his rocket strike to come back off the bar.

But the warning wasn't heeded and the Seasiders halved the deficit on 72 minutes when Bloxham, after being fouled in the penalty area, picked himself up and drilled the spot-kick past Joe Walsh.

Substitute Murray fired home six minutes later off another nice assist from Barrett to make it 3-1, with Yates pulling another goal back in the last minute for Blackpool.