Richardson praises Wigan attitude after ending Gillingham’s unbeaten run

Posted Sunday, February 04, 2018 by PA

Assistant manager Leam Richardson admitted Wigan Athletic’s 2-0 victory over in-form Gillingham was a great way to end a perfect week.

The Sky Bet League One leaders managed to ward off unwanted interest from Premier League Brighton in prize asset Nick Powell on transfer deadline day.

And the ex-Manchester United man showed his importance to the side with the crucial second goal, just past the half-hour mark, after Will Grigg had opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

At the other end, an eighth clean sheet in nine games halted Gillingham’s recent resurgence – six wins and two draws in their last eight games – to keep Wigan two points clear at the top.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy coming up against Gillingham, who were on a great run, eight unbeaten,” said Richardson, conducting media duties on behalf of manager Paul Cook.

“But I thought we started the first half tremendously well, in possession and transition we were very good.

“We moved the ball very well and deserved to be 2-0 up at half-time.

“We possibly could have had more goals, but we had to defend a lot more in the second half.

“We had to consolidate as a team, and defend from the front, because we were up against a good team who had plenty of threats on the pitch.

“It was obviously very pleasing to get the clean sheet, and the lads at the back take the credit for that.

“The work they put in at the training ground, they replicate on a Saturday and a Tuesday, and long may that continue.”

Despite being in the top two of the division for most of the season, Wigan bolstered their ranks during the January window with a further four signings.

Two of them – former Hearts forward Jamie Walker and on-loan Swansea midfielder Jay Fulton – came off the bench in the second half to make their debuts, which added to Richardson’s enjoyment.

“The new lads did well, just like the rest of the lads did,” he added.

“I thought overall we were excellent, everyone had a criteria of what they had to do, and we stuck to it very well.

“We didn’t leave a breath out there, and that’s all you can ask.”

For Gillingham boss Steve Lovell, it was a speed bump after a remarkable run that had seen his side go from relegation candidates to play-off possibles in a matter of weeks.

“We lost it in the first 20 minutes,” Lovell conceded. “We didn’t start as brightly but not for the want of trying.

“They were on to us quickly when we had the ball and we gave things away. The boys gave everything they can effort-wise.

“I thought we could have given Wigan a harder game, and that’s disappointing.

“I think we played with a bit of fear, which surprises me as we haven’t done.

“We’ve played a lot better than that recently.”