Latics Review | Fleetwood Town
Latics central defender looks ahead to Tuesday's visit of Fleetwood Town
- Match Day Programme | Curtis Tilt feature interview
- Tilt looks ahead to the visit of Fleetwood Town and discusses his determination to build on Latics' impressive 2021/22 campaign
- Latics defender is the feature interview in Tuesday's matchday programme against Fleetwood Town
Latics defender Curtis Tilt is hoping that his side can continue to build on their strong position in Sky Bet League One when they host Fleetwood Town this evening.
Latics will welcome back former defender Stephen Crainey and his Fleetwood Town side to the DW Stadium tonight, and if the previous meeting between the two sides last November is anything to go by, supporters could be in for a real thriller and a fantastic advert for League One football.
Tilt, who was the match-winning hero in Latics' 3-2 away win at the Highbury Stadium, is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead and is hopeful that his side can get another three points on the board and complete the double over the Cod Army.
Reflecting back on the reverse fixture, Tilt said:
“It was a great game for me personally. Football is full of highs and lows and we were definitely low at half-time. To win it in the way we did in front of the away end was something special," he said.
“You cannot take any team lightly in this division and every team can upset you. We’ve got to concentrate on ourselves but be ready for the team that is put in front of us.
“They’ve got some good players - and a lot of young, hungry lads within that - so we’ve just got to match them and be ready for whatever they throw at us. Hopefully, we can come out on top.”
Latics have made excellent progress in the 2021/22 campaign after accumulating 66 points from 32 games as well as reaching the Semi Final of the Papa John's Trophy, and Tilt believes that the immense character amongst the squad has been a key contributing factor behind their success so far.
“It’s one of the best dressing rooms I have ever been in,” he smiled.
“We’ve only been together since the summer so we’re still gelling as a team but as a dressing room, we’re very close.
“We all know we're here to do one job and we’re all on the same page, working in the same direction. We’re all very focused but we cannot get ahead of ourselves.
“Everyone in the dressing room knows what League One is about. It’s a funny league and teams can be in form and be one of the best teams in the league but then suddenly lose form.
“We’ve just got to keep ticking the games off and hopefully we can be where we need to be at the end of the season.”
The central defender previously enjoyed three successive loan spells with Latics before penning an 18-month permanent contract at the DW Stadium back in January.
Having helped Latics to secure their League One status in 2020/21, Tilt has picked up where he left off and has once again been instrumental for Richardson's side this season in their rise to the automatic places in the division.
Tilt has developed a strong affinity with the Latics faithful for his hard-working and committed performances, and the Latics supporters are held in equally high esteem by the Jamaican international.
In recent weeks, the chant ‘Tilt, Tilt will tear you apart, again’ has been heard in the stands and the central defender expressed that it is a special feeling to hear his name being sung.
“I keep hearing myself whistling my own song at home and I’ve just got to say thank you to them. It’s very nice and something special when you hear your name from the crowd," he said.
“It’s always a proud moment when you hear your name being sung by other people. It’s one of those catchy songs and I keep hearing myself whistling and humming it. I probably need to stop doing it because I’m singing about myself!”
Richardson’s side have been backed in numbers both home and away in the 2021/22 campaign and the 30-year-old is hoping that the Latics fans can continue to get behind the boys for their remaining League One matches.
“I feel like the fans have helped massively, especially travelling all over the country," he said.
"It can be hard at times (to travel) and we know that fans have a day job. But they still come and support us despite getting home from games in the early hours of the morning.
“We do really appreciate it and my relationship with the fans is brilliant. I think we’ve connected well with each other and it’s a nice feeling.
“We need them to continue to come out in their numbers both home and away as they are vital for us. They help push us along and help us battle on in games to get the three points.
“Up the Tics!”