Shaun Maloney | Blackpool FC (H) Reaction

SHAUN MALONEY SPEAKS TO LATICS TV POST-GAME FOLLOWING THE 1-0 VICTORY OVER BLACKPOOL FC

• Shaun Maloney | Blackpool (H) Reaction 
• The Latics Gaffer speaks following the victory against Blackpool FC
• Maloney: "“It was a huge three points. This was a big game for us. All credit has to go to the players, I thought they were brilliant."

Shaun Maloney insisted the 1-0 victory over Blackpool FC was a "huge three points" for his Wigan Athletic side.

One of our own, Scott Smith grabbed the winner with his first senior goal midway through the first half before Latics defended well in the second half to secure the three points.

Speaking to Latics TV post-game, Maloney praised his players: “It was a huge three points. This was a big game for us," he said.

"We have spoken all season about trying to stay in this league, so it was a big game for us. All credit has to go to the players, I thought they were brilliant.

"The first half was a really good performance with the ball. That’s as high of a level that we can play at the moment and the players were very good. In the second half, all credit to the players they had to work very hard to defend the lead. 

"I really liked it, Blackpool are very good at pressing you. If you get that wrong, you can give up big chances and that was the challenge to the players; they had to play under big pressure today, and they did."

The Manager reserved special mention for Scott Smith after his first professional goal secured the victory.

"It’s a brilliant day for him. I asked him to play a really different position today and he had to defend in a wide area, but I had to try and use him as a midfielder when we had it. I thought he (Scott Smith) and Stephen Humphrys were very good down that right side," he continued.

"Scotty is everything you want as a manager. He trains the way that he plays, every day he’s on it, and he deserves everything he gets.

"He was down in Torquay and wasn’t playing when I came in. With the work that he’s put in, he deserved a moment like today. I can’t speak highly enough of Scotty."

Watch the full interview on Latics TV above.