Centre-back Wilson growing up fast

BEST RUN OF HIS CAREER: James Wilson celebrates scoring Latics’ equaliser against Port Vale earlier in the season.

ATHLETIC have gone back to basics to bring the best out of James Wilson.

And the good news for fans is that there’s more to come from the outstanding centre back.

Welsh international Wilson (25) has been a consistent feature at the centre of a defence that has recently proved hard to breach.

Adam Lockwood was his partner at the back end of 2013-14, and now George Elokobi provides solid support alongside the former Bristol City man.

Manager Lee Johnson now believes Wilson needs to step up and become more vocal to fulfil his potential.

“James has always had the outstanding attributes; he is really quick and decent on the ball. But the timing of his heading was a bit off and his organisation and communication needed to be better. He has always had ability.

“We have improved him but he still needs a ‘daddy’ next to him. He needs to learn to become the daddy, and when he does you’ve got a Championship player at minimum.”

A player Wilson is keeping out of the side, Genseric Kusunga, has recently featured twice for Angola in the African Cup of Nations, is set to be involved in back-to-back qualifers against Lesotho in October, and could be on national duties in January.

As well as Kusunga, there are also other members of the squad who have been knocking at the manager’s door.

“I have Connor Brown ready to play and doing well,” added Johnson. “And Michael Tidser has looked good too. There are a few saying they want to play.”