Kieran Dowell | Catch up with our recent signing.
22-year-old talks about his local roots and friendships.
Dowell's debut reflections and excitement at working with Josh Windass.

Speaking on episode 17 of our Latics Listen podcast during a visit to our new Academy facility at Stadium Way, January recruit Kieran Dowell reflects on his debut at Leicester City in the Emirates FA Cup, his very quick settling in period at the club and his friendships with Tom Pearce, Joe Williams and Antonee Robinson.

Here's an excerpt from the chat, or you can listen to the complete interview on the podcast.

Kieran, it's been a bit of a whirlwind start to your time here, would that be fair to say?

“You could say that! With the game on Saturday, it was a perfect start because I was straight in with the lads and it’s much easier to integrate like that.

“I’ve only had the odd game here and there since November time, so it was perfect for me to come in and gain my fitness against a top side like Leicester City.

“The gaffer told me to see how long I could last and I felt good getting through the 90 minutes unscathed.

“It was a big confidence boost to be given that responsibility from the gaffer. He obviously likes me as a player because he’s tried to bring me in a couple of times.

“It’s a really good option for me to come and play here and know that the gaffer trusts me and knows what I’m good at and how I can make a difference to the team.

“From watching the lads in the two games against Derby, and I’ve seen a few other games on TV, I feel like their attitude to the game is brilliant, and in those two games they created a lot of chances.

“I think we’ve been hard done by with the results so far this season, so my aim is to help the team turn those good performances into results by adding my little touches, whether it’s setting goals up or chipping in with a few myself.”

Early signs look good for you, especially given your link up with Josh Windass at Leicester City last weekend?

“The gaffer said to me before the game that Josh has great movement. I spoke to Josh and we had a little chat about what runs he’d be making and how to get him in behind the defence.

“To be fair to him, his runs are so dangerous for defences. He almost got in a few times, but for the odd offside, but the signs are definitely there and I’m looking forward to working with Josh a lot more.”

Speaking of the team, you know quite a few of the lads already don’t you?

“I’ve got great relationships with Joe Williams, Jedi and Tom Pearce from growing up. It was nice to have Joe to lean on during my debut and it was good to have the three of them around me in the warm up just to settle in.

“I spoke to all three of them before I arrived and I’d heard the lads had been unlucky in a lot of their games this season.

“Joe and Jedi said we’ve started to play some really good football, that was music to my ears and I really think it will suit me here.

“Everyone I speak to says good things about this club and I’ve already seen that first hand, from the staff I’ve met, the lads and the messages from the fans on social media, it’s a really good setup and I think I’m going to have a good time here.”

You grew up with Tom Pearce in Ormskirk and I suppose being relatively local to here, you’ll know quite a few fans of the club?

“I’ve got quite a few mates who are Wigan Athletic fans actually. My mates growing up went to Winstanley College and they’ve got mates who are Wigan fans as well. My cousin’s boyfriend is a Latics fan as well.

“Growing up I played footy with Tom in the Skelmersdale leagues and in the Craven Minor League in Ormskirk for Town Green, so we’ve known each other pretty much all of our lives.

“It’s a funny coincidence that we’re now playing here professionally so close to home, but it’s exciting for us both as young players.”

You visited our new Academy facility, Stadium Way, on Monday, for someone who has come through an elite academy like Everton’s, what do you make of our new facility?

“It’s impressive. It’s a great setup and you can see by the way the young players and staff interact with each other that it’s an enjoyable environment for them to thrive in.

“The attitude from the staff is infectious and it’s great to see the club has its own indoor facility now. I’m from Ormskirk not too far away from here and the club getting a new indoor pitch like this has been talked about for quite a while in the local area.

“The Academy at Wigan Athletic wasn’t as prominent when I was coming through at Everton and young lads were leaning towards Everton and Liverpool, but now it’s starting to go the other way.

“You only have to look at Joe Gelhardt and Jensen Weir to see that. We’ve got a lot of good young players here and there’s a lot of progress being made.

“I remember watching Joe as an Under 15 or Under 16 for England when I was on one of the older camps. I asked one of the coaches who he was. I could tell he was a local lad, a scouser, because of his long hair. They said he was at Wigan, and that’s probably where it’s started for the club in terms of the hard work really showing through.

“He’s part of the next generation here at the club and from what I’ve seen and been told, the Academy is performing to a really high standard.”

Kieran Dowell | "Everyone I speak to says great things about this club."