Colgan: “Last season was a proud moment for the goalkeeping group as a whole because you are only as good as the people pushing behind you.”

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iFollow Latics enjoyed a catch up with Latics’ goalkeeping coach Nick Colgan whilst the first team were out in La Cala last week.

The week marked a year for Colgan with Paul Cook’s squad and he says it’s been one he has thoroughly enjoyed.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed it,” Colgan said. “I have been involved in a squad that won the league, had the best defensive record in the league and that recorded a club record number of clean sheets.

“For me, that’s a culmination of a lot of things; the gaffer’s ethos is that our defending starts from the front and I don’t think our goalkeepers would say that last season they were overly worked, but when they were called upon, each and every one that played, performed. And that’s Christian [Walton] for the most part, Jamie [Jones] played a good part too and certainly didn’t put a foot wrong and Owen [Evans] was involved in the Cups early on in the season too.”

Latics’ record-breaking season saw defence and clean sheet records put to the sword as Cook’s side proved one of the meanest defences in world football.

And Colgan says that success was down to the squad and a success for the goalkeeping group as a whole.

“Last season was a proud moment for the goalkeeping group as a whole because you are only as good as the people pushing behind you,” Colgan continued.

“When Christian came back [after injury] he fully expected to sit on the bench for a couple of games because Jamie Jones had done absolutely nothing wrong and had got nine clean sheets in 15 games.

“We knew when we brought Jamie to the club, we were getting a very able deputy – not back up because that’s disrespectful – goalkeeper to Christian. Jamie showed in every single game that he played that he is more than capable. I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep if Jamie Jones had to play for us in the Championship this year.

“Likewise, we have young goalkeepers in Owen, Dan and Jordan, who are trying to be in Jamie’s position so they can be pushing Christian.”

Sky Bet League One Golden Glove winner Walton returned to Latics this summer for a second loan spell and Colgan was grateful the stopper’s parent club Brighton acknowledged the DW Stadium was the best place for his development.

“Lucky enough for us, Brighton have decided that Wigan is the best place for Christian after a successful season last year,” Colgan said.

“He did League Two with Luton, League One last season with us and now he has an opportunity to ply his trade in the Championship.

“For me, as a young goalkeeper – and people forget he is only 22 – he has shown great maturity in his game and let’s hope he can show that and his talent in the Championship this year.”