Lee Evans encouraged by Latics' performance at Charlton Athletic.
String of decisions frustrated Evans.
Midfielder determined to return home and collect points against Peterborough and Plymouth.

Speaking to Latics TV after his side's 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic, midfielder Lee Evans said he was frustrated and disappointed, but certainly not in the manner of Latics' performance.

"The performance was much better in the second half, but the one chance they got they put away," Evans began.

"We had plenty of chances and some of the decisions have gone against us. There is stuff to build on from the second half, but we shouldn't be coming away from this ground without any points."

The reason for Evans' frustration lies in two penalty appeals and a disallowed goal, with both Evans and Will Keane seemingly fouled in the penalty area, while captain Joe Garner had a goal chalked off when Keane was judged to have fouled Akin Famewo.

"Naisy has picked me out with a little cut back," Evans said on his penalty claim.

"I'm about to shoot and I got a kick from behind. That's the advantage of having no one in the ground, you can actually hear the big knock on my foot.

"He doesn't give it, and there's one on Keano in the first half where again you can hear him boot his foot.

"I think the less said about the Garner one where he scores the better, because I'll end up getting in trouble."

Returning his focus to the performance, Evans continued:

"I don't think we were good enough first half and I think we should have been a lot better, but the game was a bit stop-start. The first half had a lot of fouls, it was hard to get any momentum.

"We put in a performance we can build on in the second half, so hopefully some goals will start coming our way."

With three chances for Latics and a number of positions shuffled around, Evans was able to play in a deeper, more controlling midfield role. On his position, Evans remarked:

"I've done the job in the number 10 position and I've tried to do the job Leam and the gaffer have needed me to do because we've had no one to play in there. I'm a team player, so I've been more than willing to do that.

"My preferred position is definitely going in there to get the ball, which I think the Wigan fans know by now. I want to try and dictate the play, which is what I had the opportunity to do in the second half."

Latics return home for a DW Stadium double-header against Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle next week, with Evans looking forward to playing in quick succession on home turf.

"We've had two defeats on the road since the last home game, so we're looking forward to getting back. It doesn't matter what team is on the pitch, this club has always been strong at home and hopefully we can continue that with some positive results over the next two games.

"We're a new group with a lot of new players arriving at the club. It's the first time this starting XI has played together and we've got to have time to gel.

"You can also say the same thing for Charlton's team, that's why I think the first half was a bit scrappy, but we took control in the second half and apart from the goal we were the better team. It all means nothing when you come away without any points."

Lee Evans | "We have plenty to build on from the second half performance."