Results justify our confident approach

The Latics ’keeper writes every week for Chron Sport

THE TALK of manager Lee Johnson being called up by Gibraltar caused plenty of attention last week.

It was one of those quirky stories that creates media interest from the outside. Funnily enough, since then he does seem to have been joining in a little bit more in training — so watch this space!

It has sparked curiosity as to whether he could do it or not. He still has the ability to play, but the fitness side would probably be an issue.

I don’t think you will be seeing him appear on our substitutes’ bench any time soon, though.

We are very strong right now and if you look at the subs from the Scunthorpe game — which didn’t include a goalkeeper — there is the ability there to make positive changes in all areas.

I have been at the club for just over a year now and the improvements that have taken place in that time frame are clear.

The tempo in training, team spirit, the ability of the side to deal with injuries . . . we are better in all of those areas.

That said, I am sad to see our physio Jon Guy leave the club to take up a new post at Bolton University.

His expertise is keeping the players free from injury in the first place, and then dealing with those injuries that do occur, has been first-class.

Had the worst happened on Saturday and I had been either injured or sent off, with no goalkeeper as a substitute, the man charged with pulling on the gloves was James Wilson.

He does fancy himself as a ’keeper. But we will let him talk the talk as, hopefully, it will never happen.