Gary Caldwell hails important Exeter victory on his first return to Wigan
Posted Sunday, February 11, 2024 by PA
Gary Caldwell could not hide his delight at marking his first return to Wigan as an opposition manager with all three points after Exeter ran out 2-1 winners in Sky Bet League One.
Latics had recorded two victories at Exeter in the first half of the campaign – following up a 2-0 win in the league with an FA Cup first-round victory by the same score.
As a result, restoring the balance at the DW Stadium was just what the doctor ordered for Caldwell, who was also locking horns against his old Wigan, Celtic and Scotland colleague Shaun Maloney.
Deflected goals from Mo Eisa and Jack Aitchison had Exeter two goals up heading into the final quarter, with Charlie Kelman’s first Wigan goal 19 minutes from time proving to be only a consolation.
“I actually thought that was the best that Wigan played in all three matches,” said Caldwell.
“They gave us so many problems in possession, I thought they were excellent, the way they kept rotating their shape and asking questions.
“First half out of possession we were outstanding, the way we set-up, the understanding of how we could restrict them trying to play through us.
“Second half they put even more men forward and asked even more questions, and put us under a lot of pressure.
“We had to really defend our box to see it through, but football is a really funny game.
“I thought we played much better in the first two games and came away with nothing.
“Although we were excellent out of possession today, in possession I know we can play a lot better, but it was a good one to win.”
When asked whether the result meant slightly more given the circumstances, Caldwell replied: “I don’t think so, other than obviously where both sides are in the league.
“I do feel for Wigan because of the points deduction, they shouldn’t be where they are in the table.
“That’s unfortunate and I think they have dealt with that extremely well this season.
“But in terms of our league position, and the run we’ve been on, I think it was important we didn’t lose today.
“You could see with the attitude of the players and the way they worked out of possession, there was a real spirit and a determination not to get beat – and fortunately we got the win.”
For opposite number Maloney, it was a tough result to take on the back of last weekend’s victory at high-flying Peterborough.
“I imagine I’m feeling very similar to how Exeter would have been feeling on definitely one of the occasions we won down there,” he said.
“It was a really tough result to take because the second half in particular was everything I want to see from my team moving forward.
“We needed more intensity in that second half, I thought we lacked intensity without the ball in that first half.
“We started the game well, Thelo (Aasgaard) had a couple of good chances and Martial (Godo) another with his header.
“But 1-0 down, I didn’t like the feeling in the group and I needed to see more intensity.
“I was really happy with the players who came on, although I must say the players they replaced have all been really good for me as well.
“It just felt like I needed to make a momentum change, which happened in the second half, but unfortunately we lost a second goal on the break.
“In the end, it was just too big a challenge for us to pull it back at the end.”
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