Mighty Mvoto makes such a difference

Latics’ assistant manager writes every Friday for Chron Sport
JEAN-YVES Mvoto has been a massive plus for us this season.

His positive effect on the team can be seen purely through the statistics — since he came back to us from Sunderland, we have kept two clean sheets in the three games he has started.

The example of Jean gives further weight to the argument that when the best players are in the side, we always have a chance of performing well.

On the flip side, it shows that one area in which we will need to improve on next season is our strength in depth. This factor has probably let us down.

It is easier for the top sides because they have money to spend, but if you look at the likes of Manchester United or Chelsea, when one player comes out of the side they fill that space with a player who is equally good and nothing really changes.

It is a difficult task, but this is a goal what we have to strive for.

We have six games remaining. But it isn't a case of simply getting through to the end of the season — no chance. There will be none of that sort of thinking here.

The big goal for us is to go unbeaten through all six.

There are still a lot of players who are out of contract here so it is down to them to demonstrate two things: one, that they want to stay; and two, that they are worthy of a new deal.

There won't be any resting on laurels and no feeling that we are over the brow of the hill and that it is now downhill all the way.

That won't be accepted. We want to leave the season in May on a high.

So far, looking back, I am disappointed with how the campaign has gone. That is only to be expected though, as both Paul Dickov and me are highly self-critical.

But the time for analysis will be when all the fixtures have been completed, so we can pick apart the season as a whole.

Last week at Notts County, there wasn't a lot between the teams in a scrappy game. As it progressed, though, we started to create chances.

Close to the end, Chris Taylor provided a little bit of impetus and did very well to win a penalty converted by Jason Lowe.

A win was probably what we deserved on the whole, while Reuben Reid getting a second goal for us will have given a big boost to his confidence.

So we enter the game against Charlton with a bit of confidence behind us.

Down at The Valley, we scored a good goal ourselves through Dean Furman, played some excellent stuff and could have gone on to win. We hit the post twice.

They have a new manager in Chris Powell and have changed their side since then.

They brought in Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Paul Benson is back in the side after suspension.

Those two are very decent players and will both provide a threat up front.

I have no doubt they will fancy their chances up here at Boundary Park, but we will be up for the challenge.