Gary Caldwell has called on his Wigan Athletic squad to sharpen up after a 2-0 defeat to Leyton Orient left the Latics without a victory in the League One season so far. Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester shortly after the final whistle, Caldwell said "we all have to prepare to win more" as he looked for answers to a flat performance against an Orient side who were thoroughly in control.
A familiar theme emerging
This is not the first time this season that Caldwell has had to address a listless display. After the opening-day reverse, he publicly acknowledged that Wigan had been "too easy to play against", and Saturday's performance at the DW Stadium suggested those problems have not yet been ironed out. Failing to score in each of their first league outings, the Latics are yet to register a goal at home and sit rooted to the foot of the early League One table.
Leyton Orient, meanwhile, arrive into this fixture with momentum already building in the third tier. Their own post-match reaction, reported separately on this site, noted that they "could have had more" from the game, hinting that the scoreline perhaps flattered the hosts. For Wigan, conceding twice without reply makes for uncomfortable viewing whatever the margin might have looked like at its worst.
What needs to change for Wigan
Caldwell's message was pointed. The phrase "prepare to win" is significant because it goes beyond tactics: it speaks to mentality, routine and the daily habits that separate sides who grind out results from those who ship early-season points they will later spend months chasing back. The Latics boss has spoken positively about the squad's togetherness and work ethic in pre-season, but the step up to competitive football has exposed something missing in the final product.
Wigan did add to their squad before the campaign began. Luke Harris joined on a season-long loan from Fulham, Finley Burns arrived on a permanent deal from Manchester City, and Chelsea teenager Walsh also came in on loan. The collection of young, loan-profile players gives the squad energy and potential, but blend and cohesion in a competitive League One environment takes time to bed in. Three matches into the season, the clock is already ticking.
The structure of the defeat will concern Caldwell most. Conceding twice suggests defensive vulnerabilities that opponents at this level will continue to probe. League One sides are well-drilled at exploiting width and transitions; if Wigan are giving those spaces away, the goals-against column will grow before the squad finds its attacking rhythm.
The bigger picture
It is still early. The League One season is long, and sides have climbed out of worse early-season holes to finish comfortably mid-table or higher. Wigan's squad, on paper, carries enough quality to turn performances around. But Caldwell knows the division does not afford managers patience in perpetuity, and the supporters at the DW Stadium will need to see a response quickly.
The manager's public accountability, fronting up to the media and setting a clear expectation that the preparation for winning must improve, is at least the right tone. Whether the team can translate that message into points on the road or at home in the coming weeks will define how Wigan's season ultimately shapes up. For now, Orient head back to east London with three points, and Caldwell heads back to the training ground with questions to answer.
Frequently asked
- What was the score between Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient?
- Leyton Orient won 2-0 away at Wigan Athletic in this League One fixture, leaving Wigan without a win in the division so far this season.
- What did Gary Caldwell say after Wigan's defeat to Orient?
- Caldwell said "we all have to prepare to win more", acknowledging the squad needs to improve both mentally and on the pitch after a second disappointing performance of the season.
- How many League One wins do Wigan Athletic have this season?
- Wigan are yet to win a League One game this season. The 2-0 loss to Leyton Orient continued a run of winless league outings for Gary Caldwell's side.