Clean sheet so pleasing

The Latics’ assistant manager writes for Chronicle Sport every Friday

I WAS absolutely delighted to see us keep a clean sheet at Sheffield Wednesday.

We looked very solid against a talented front two with a lot of experience and I felt our centre halves did exactly what it said on the tin, clearing their lines when necessary.

To be fair we were pretty solid in the 2-1 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion, except for the two corners which led to their goals.

As staff, we hold our hands up and admit we got it wrong for the second goal.

We asked Paul Black to mark one of their most dangerous players in the air, when in fact we should have given that job to someone else.

We rectified it on Tuesday, though, and never looked in any real danger of conceding.

It was a good performance all over the pitch at Hillsborough.

The lads worked their socks off without really testing their goalkeeper.

Our initial build-up play was excellent and we had the better of the possession, but the final ball let us down.

The decision-making in the final third needed to be better but overall it was a good point.

It is something for us to work on and talk to the lads about before the visit of Leyton Orient tomorrow.

Chris Taylor is flying at the moment, playing just off the striker. He has found himself a little niche in that position.

Everything positive we produce seems to be going through Chris, and it obviously helps that he has avoided injury.

The more he plays, the better he will become. Chris had a tough time with his fitness, but we are starting to see his true potential shine through which can only be a good thing.

We just have to keep getting him on the ball because he is causing teams a lot of problems.

It is great news that we have signed Jean-Francois Christophe.

Jean has been training with us for almost two months and I must say his attitude is brilliant.

He is determined, gives everything in training, and has a professional outlook from which the young players can learn because he sets a good example.

He has settled in well since arriving at the club.

I feel Jean brings a new dimension to the squad with his versatility. He can play in three different positions - full back, centre back and holding midfielder.

Every squad needs a player as flexible as Jean. It is important to have options throughout the season and Jean certainly gives options to Paul Dickov.