Two-goal striker Brett Pitman felt Saturday’s 3-2 win at Wigan epitomised the spirit in the Town squad.

The Blues, who had led 1-0 through a seventh-minute Pitman penalty having made a strong start, looked destined for defeat after a dramatic turnaround saw the Latics go into a 2-1 lead, Yanic Wildschut having scored both their goals.

But Pitman netted again and David McGoldrick nodded home an 88th minute winner as Town, revitalised by the introductions of McGoldrick, Kevin Bru and Grant Ward from the bench, came from behind to win a game for the first time since the 2-1 home victory over Leeds in January.

“We showed good spirit to come back towards the end,” Pitman said. “I think we started particularly well, probably in the first half an hour up until their goal we were on top and we probably should have been ahead by maybe one or two more.

“They scored and they got a lift from that and in the second half they started brightly and got a good goal through the lad on the left.

“And then it’s tough away from home, we’ve had to withstand a little bit of pressure but I think it shows the spirit that we’ve got in the group to keep going and come away with three good points in the end.”

He added: “Whatever level you play at goals change games and they swing the momentum.

“At 1-0 up we were so comfortable, then they got a goal from a deflected freekick and a rebound, then they’re on top and they get a good second goal. But you’ve got to stay in the game and hope you get a chance.”

Pitman’s penalty was his second goal of the season with his previous strike also having come from the spot at Reading.

The 28-year-old admits that that decision might have been harsh on Wigan defender Dan Burn, although the Blues frontman felt Town had a penalty decision which went the other way just before the break when a Jonny Williams cross was handled.

“I think he did catch Tom Lawrence but he got the ball as well,” he continued. “But the ref has given the penalty. I think we arguably could have had a penalty just before half-time with the handball, so things even themselves out.

“You need a little bit of luck, especially when you’re having a not great spell, you need a tiny little bit of luck and we’ve managed to take our luck and come away with three points.”

Like his manager Mick McCarthy, Pitman admitted relief was the overriding feeling when McGoldrick’s header hit the net.

“I think whenever you come back to score a late goal, it’s just relief and elation that you should win the game,” he said. “I think we’ve seen the game out in the final few minutes pretty well.”

The former AFC Bournemouth and Bristol City man was making his first start since returning to action after 10 weeks out with the ankle injury he suffered at Leeds at the end of September.

He says he was as pleased to be back in the XI as he was with taking his season’s tally to three goals: “I think more than the goals it was just nice to be back out playing and starting games.

“I’m not quite as sharp as I’d like to be but I think you’re only going to get that from playing games and 90 minutes today will certainly help.”

Was he surprised to start having made only two sub appearances? “Not overly, I played 20 minutes last Saturday and about 40 minutes in the week, so the next step was to start a game. Maybe a little bit surprised to last 90 minutes but I like to think I’m a fit lad.”

Pitman will get plenty of time to recover with Town’s next match the home game against Fulham on Boxing Day.

“It’s nice when you win to get on to the next game, so we’ll get ourselves right, people will recharge their batteries and we’ll go again against Fulham,” he said.

Saturday night saw the squad fly out to Ireland for their Christmas party, but Pitman wasn’t in the mood for a late night: “I’m looking forward to going to sleep, that’ll do me!”

Meanwhile, Town's U23s are in action against QPR at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm).

Photo: TWTD

battyblue added 06:18 - Dec 19 Yes good win changes made to the positive at last which brought with them entertainment but still one or two more changes desperately needed one at right back for starters but i won't be to critical but will wait to see if McCarthy carries this thinking on further or is it just acting on instruction to boost half season ticket sales ,sorry i am still McCarthy out for the time being.

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battyblue added 06:34 - Dec 19 And well done Pits one of the standouts in the squad +well done Bart again another of the relied on.
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Cakeman added 08:20 - Dec 19 Hopefully Pitman can stay fit as he is a naturally talented finisher. Well said battyblue, Bart was outstanding and without doubt his contribution helped enormously with securing the win.
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ArnieM added 09:49 - Dec 19 Now all Evans / MM have to do is to give a firm NO to inquiries made for our best players over the coming weeks and to add 2-3 quality players. I'd be happy with loan with view to buy in summer since January is the worst time to.buy as we all know. But MM has to stay with a more adventurous playing style.
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muccletonjoe added 10:08 - Dec 19 The times we have been more attack minded we have come away with good results - ie barnsley , sheffield and wigan. Most fans would be more forgiving of defeats if we played that way.
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iaintaylorx added 10:28 - Dec 19 Also shows that if we put out a stronger, attacking team and drop douglas we score goals! But that changes nothing.. MICK OUT!
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BlueMachines added 10:31 - Dec 19 We can be attack minded and not suffer if we have a balanced and capable defence. The reason MM prefers the 8 defensive players as his go to is to hide the deficiencies of the defence. Wigan have barely scored in recent games but managed 2 against us. We must continue to play our attack minded players, but improve the fullbacks further to give that stability to build from at the back.

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planetblue_2011 added 11:34 - Dec 19 I'd bring in a right back if we are to make a serious charge up the table we need someone who can play there. As a striker goes I would try a sneaky bid for Billy Sharp he's banging the goals in for sheff utd & can quite easily play at this level & do the same for us. Not sure how old he is now but must be a bit younger than Murphy. If we keep Williams then we have to play him, if not we need a ball winning, good passer & scorer cm player, like a Matt Holland👍

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NoelTheDub added 14:28 - Dec 19 I did not comment on sat as I was happy to see Dozzell and Williams start,great to see that awful partnership in the middle broken up one of the reasons we got this result imo.Big issue for me now going forward is will the manager change back v someone better that Wigan.Love to see our two young full backs start and pass a ball on the grass to Williams all day long hope im not looking for to much as a lifetime supporter Mick..

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BobbyBell added 16:04 - Dec 19 Wildschut was beating Chambo over and over and over again. He was up against a centre back playing at right back supported by a strike playing right midfield and he loved the freedom. Why oh why did it take MM so long to try and sort that situation out? Emmanuel should have come on as Cambo was being walked past. We need a quality right back NOW.
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chevvymalc added 17:07 - Dec 19 Well done Pitman a good player and hopefully will get sharper and fitter the more he plays He chases and keeps nagging at defenders which is something we have been missing up front lately.
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Seasider added 17:54 - Dec 19 Pitman and Bart won us this game I feel,even though David McGoldrick got the winner. These 3 plus Jonny Williams and Adam Webster,should I feel form the nucleus of the side. Several on here have been critical of Kevin Bru;but he is a good footballer in my opinion,and made a great pass to Ward out right to cross for the third and winning goal. I feel that all the players mentioned above are ok for the Championship,however Jonathan Douglas I feel should not be a regular starter anymore,and it is unfair on Kenlock and Emmanuel to be kept out as full backs. I do not feel that Chambers Knudsen and Skues,who have all played continuously since they arrived at the club,are just not good enough to play every game regardless;despite Mick saying previously that his Captain is undroppable,and Skuesey is always first name on team sheet. Chambo especially gets targeted by opposition wingers,as their Managers can see his weakness,whilst on the other side Kenlock has looked better than Knudsen,even though he has hardly been played.I also am not sure about Cole Skues anymore either. If Mick is so keen to keep Luke in the team,he could move him inside with Webster taking Skues role on occasions.Kevin Bru can also play in this position. It is good that Mick has at last made positive changes.He also used all his subs on Saturday,and was not strident like he was after the last win;so I am hopeful that the penny has at last dropped.!

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blueboy1981 added 18:13 - Dec 19 Battyblue - makes a good point. Let's hope the slight (but far from complete) change of attitude from McCarthy is sustained, and further improved. Time will tell - the point about 'spin' at appropriate timing for 'half season ticket' sales, will be proved one way or other. Let's give him the benefit of doubt shall we ? - and hope it's genuine. COYB.
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