Watson wants to reproduce top-form from last campaign

Ben Watson has explained that his aims for the coming season are simple, to continue to kind of form that helped him finish the last campaign so strongly.

After a couple of loan-spells during last season Watson returned to Latics producing match-winning performances and scoring a crucial goal in the club's spectacular win over Arsenal at the DW Stadium, the kind of display he wants to repeat when the Blackpool game arrives;

"Last season it was important for me that I was playing games," said Watson.

"By going out on-loan I managed to do that so when I came back towards the end of the season I felt a lot better and was able to contribute a lot more. Hopefully this season I can continue that form and play a big role.

"The Austria tour as a whole has been excellent for us. The environment, the training and the games have all provided us with the perfect conditions at this time of the season.

"Now we look forward to Real Zaragoza on Wednesday night when we'll be even sharper thanks to this tour and I'm sure it'll be another good test for us."

Ben was speaking after Thursday's 0-0 draw with Genclerbirligi, in which he was able to complete 90 minutes and continue his preparations for the coming season;

"Thursday's game was a lot tougher than the one at the beginning of the week, and was the right kind of challenge that we needed.

"They're a very good side from the Turkish top-division and overall it was a competition and physical game.

"At the beginning of pre-season you dread the work that needs doing to get up to speed, but once it starts coming back things become a lot more natural.

"Come the Blackpool game, if you're selected to play, it's always nice to have plenty of minutes under your belt before-hand so I'm happy to have got a full-game behind me and hopefully a few more to come."