Wigan cheered by 'best performance of season'

The mood in the Wigan Athletic FC camp was one of growing confidence after the FA Cup holders beat NK Maribor 3-1 in north-west England. Ben Watson, scorer of Wigan's second goal, said the win gave Owen Coyle's side a strong platform in UEFA Europa League Group D – while for fellow midfielder James McArthur it reflected the team's improved form. The result also left the visitors still without a point in the section, though Maribor forwards Tavares and Jean Philippe Mendy remained positive about both the performance and the Slovenian champions' prospects.

Ben Watson, Wigan midfielder
It was a great win. It's key to win your home games and we've got off to a good start with four points from two games. We could have been home and dry with the chances we had in the first half – and even in the second. Then they got one back but we kept going and got the goal at the end. But I felt we controlled the game throughout and thoroughly deserved the victory. It's always nice to score and I've just found out it was on my 100th appearance for the club.

If you get through the group then you've got some big teams from the Champions League coming in, but we'll take it one game at a time and – if we get through – take it from there. Our main priority is the league but after that we'll see how far we can go in this competition. The two games against Rubin Kazan will be tough but if we can pick up points, we're in a good position.

James McArthur, Wigan midfielder
It was an excellent performance. They're a good side and passed the ball well second half, but I think we controlled the game from start to finish. It was our best performance of the season. We played really well and hopefully we can build on this. Nick Powell was excellent – he got two goals and could have had another couple. He's playing in an unfamiliar role up front but wherever he plays, he has lots of ability. He works really hard for the team.

It's exciting now we are starting to play with a bit of consistency, to play the way we know we can. It hasn't been a great start [to the domestic season] points wise but we're getting our consistency and the points are following.