'They have learned a harsh lesson': Wigan assistant reflects on their narrow defeat to Blackpool

Sullay Kaikai's strike at the start of the second-half was enough to hand the Seasiders the three points as they recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Wigan, meanwhile, slumped to the foot of the League One table after suffering their sixth league defeat in seven games.

“On reflection of the game, I felt it was an honest performance," Richardon said.

"We are full of young, energetic and fearless players at the minute but the attention must come on to results.

“Everyone knows the situation that we are in and Kyle [Joseph] was another who made his full league debut tonight - I thought he was excellent in his play and his fearless positional play. He had a couple of chances too and possibly could have got the equaliser.

“You look at the team and six or seven of the lads were playing for the Under 23s last year and are now cutting their teeth in League One.

“It is great and refreshing to see lads make their debuts, no matter what situation we are in.

"I have said all along that what is a loss for many is an opportunity for young lads. They are taking it and learning on the job but, again, their attention must be on results being everything in this business.

“It is a learning curve; the team must learn the importance of starting games correctly and doing the finer details because the results of late have been decided by the finer details and at these levels if you don’t get those details right it costs you.

“Over the past few weeks, they have learned a harsh lesson because every mistake they have made has cost them results. It is a results-driven business, they need to learn quick and it is up to us to educate them that little bit quicker as well.”