WIGAN captain Graham Bolton believes that his team’s outstanding start to the 2009 season can partly be explained by some straight talking in the depths of winter.

The Bull Hey side have won eight of their nine league games and go into tomorrow’s match at Skelmersdale 35 points clear of Highfield at the top of the Liverpool Competition’s First Division table.

“Wigan have been perennial underachievers since we were relegated from the Premier League in 2003 and I had a good chat with the squad about that in the close season,” he explained.

“The talent’s been there, but our approach was lackadaisical. I asked people to step up to the plate and everyone at the club has been delighted with their magnificent response.

“The job now is to remain focused and not slacken off. I remind the players of that before every game.

“There’s only one team going to be promoted from the First Division in September and it’s going to be very difficult to secure that spot. None of us are under any illusions about that.”

But the streetwise Bolton is equally clear about the value of Sean Casham to his line-up. The former Wigan opener returned to the club from Highfield in the winter and has scored 367 runs in nine innings.

“Sean adds a great deal of class to the top of the order,” said Bolton.

“He’s a batsman of Premier League standard, and he and Andy Ford have given us a really solid opening partnership.

“Then there’s Mark Shorrocks, who’s taken 30 wickets at 8.2 apiece. He’s one of the best amateur bowlers I’ve come across when it comes to exploiting seamer-friendly conditions. He lands it on a tanner and he’s just what we need.”

Bolton also praises Wigan’s younger players like Adam Samouelle and Lee Dawber, and the skipper also hopes that the left-arm spin of Sri Lankan professional Suwanji Madanayake will come into its own as the season progresses.

“Maddy’s settled in very well at the club,” he said. “He’s given us balance in the attack and some aggressive batting in the middle order.”

As to rivals for that coveted promotion spot, Bolton accepts that the main challenges may come from near neighbours.

“So far, the likes of Highfield, Orrell Red Triangle and Leigh have played well and it’s good to see that the Wigan and district sides are competitive,” he said.

“But there may yet be a challenge from outside that area.”