Leam looks ahead to Fleetwood Town on Latics TV.

Leam Richardson | “I am really pleased to add quality to the squad”
Latics signed Zach Clough, Corey Whelan and George Johnston on Friday
Richardson: “I think it’s important for the group of lads that they want to see some strength in numbers.”

Leam Richardson says Latics are stronger for the additions of Zach Clough, Corey Wilson and George Johnston after the trio joined up on Friday.

Forward Clough arrived after four years at Nottingham Forest in the Sky Bet Championship, whilst defenders Wilson and Johnston are both Liverpool academy graduate, with the former recently returning from a spell in the USA with Phoenix Rising and the latter joining on loan from Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

Speaking to Latics TV, Richardson said:

“I am really pleased with the signings; it’s no secret we are low on numbers. It’s challenging for the small squad with the fixture list so to be able to add some numbers and quality to the squad it will be very beneficial for the lads.

“Zach has a great pedigree. He’s been frustrated over a period of time not playing football. After speaking with him for five minutes he’s desperate to play football, desperate to get a Wigan shirt on and roll his sleeves up and get on with it. We all know his pedigree from Bolton and onto Nottingham Forest but he will be an important player for us.

“George was at Liverpool for some time and I kept a track of his career again with game time. It’s a position we want to fill. He’s a young expressive defender and it will be a great challenge for him, but he’s joining a great club and he will enjoy his time here.

“Corey has been training with us for a few days. Again, a great lad, great character and very versatile which helps in a small squad like ours.

“I can only compliment them on how hard they’ve been training and the men that they are with the numbers that we need to go in the squad. It’s been a challenging week with the ever-changing laws regarding the short-term contracts, the challenging weather but fingers crossed we have some numbers now and can compete tomorrow.

“I think it’s important for the group of lads that they want to see some strength in numbers. We run with a small squad and it’s up to us now to try and implement our stamp on now and try and move forward and the quicker we can do that the better.”

Latics face Fleetwood Town for the third time this campaign on Saturday, having previously lost at Highbury Stadium in the Carabao Cup in September before earning a late draw thanks to Olly Crankshaw’s header last month.

And Richardson says the Cod Army are a squad full of strong individual players.

“They have absolutely outstanding individual players,” he added. “They obviously had a change of manager but their squad is very strong for the level of player that they’ve got. It will be challenging for us but we’ve tried to prepare as well as we can and one we are looking forward too.

“We love playing at home, we can prepare that little bit extra with less travelling but it will be a great test for us. We may drop a few young lads in there possibly but we will do our best and that’s all we can ask for.”

Leam Richardson | “I am really pleased to add quality to the squad”