Skipper says players are ready for the fight ahead
Latics captainn Gary Caldwell says the team was as frustrated as anyone after a late Fulham strike on Saturday denied Latics what would have been a precious win - but says everyone is up for the battle which lies ahead.
Hugo Rodallega's classy finish mid-way through the second-half looked to have settled the game, only for a late rally from the visitors which led to the leveller, minutes from time.
"It was really frustrating for the lads," Caldwell said, "when you get in front in a game like this, you need to hold on and see the game out.
"Unfortunately Fulham got back into it and pressed us hard which led to the goal. "
The was a hint of misfortune to the late Andy Johnson strike, after it took a deflection off Caldwell and the skipper said: "Unfortunately it did take a slight nick off my calf which seemed to spin it in the air making it difficult for Ali, he got a hand to it but couldn't stop it dropping in."
Roberto Martinez's men had taken control of the game in the second-half and the skipper said the manager had changed the formation a little at the break: "That helped us get on the front foot," he said, "the gaffer just told us to get forward quicker and play in their half a bit more."
"We did this but towards the end, we gave them too much space," admitted Caldwell, "which enabled them to break on us too easily and we can't allow teams to do that."
Despite some stoic defending by Latics, the introduction of Johnson was the key for Fulham and Caldwell said: "He plays on the shoulder of the last man and is always a threat.
"We tried to play him offside prior to the goal and gambled, but he got the break and punished us.
"When teams are losing, they're going to throw men forward and put you under pressure - we need to cope with this better and keep possession of the ball more."
The point could still prove valuable come May and Caldwell said: "The bottom gets tighter every week and it's going to be a real fight to the finish, but all we can do is concentrate on our own performances and I'm sure we can push up the table."
Latics captainn Gary Caldwell says the team was as frustrated as anyone after a late Fulham strike on Saturday denied Latics what would have been a precious win - but says everyone is up for the battle which lies ahead.Hugo Rodallega's classy finish mid-way through the second-half looked to have settled the game, only for a late rally from the visitors which led to the leveller, minutes from time.
"It was really frustrating for the lads," Caldwell said, "when you get in front in a game like this, you need to hold on and see the game out.
"Unfortunately Fulham got back into it and pressed us hard which led to the goal. "
The was a hint of misfortune to the late Andy Johnson strike, after it took a deflection off Caldwell and the skipper said: "Unfortunately it did take a slight nick off my calf which seemed to spin it in the air making it difficult for Ali, he got a hand to it but couldn't stop it dropping in."
Roberto Martinez's men had taken control of the game in the second-half and the skipper said the manager had changed the formation a little at the break: "That helped us get on the front foot," he said, "the gaffer just told us to get forward quicker and play in their half a bit more."
"We did this but towards the end, we gave them too much space," admitted Caldwell, "which enabled them to break on us too easily and we can't allow teams to do that."
Despite some stoic defending by Latics, the introduction of Johnson was the key for Fulham and Caldwell said: "He plays on the shoulder of the last man and is always a threat.
"We tried to play him offside prior to the goal and gambled, but he got the break and punished us.
"When teams are losing, they're going to throw men forward and put you under pressure - we need to cope with this better and keep possession of the ball more."
The point could still prove valuable come May and Caldwell said: "The bottom gets tighter every week and it's going to be a real fight to the finish, but all we can do is concentrate on our own performances and I'm sure we can push up the table."
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