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Gary Caldwell provides Wigan Athletic recruitment latest after trialists feature at Southport Gary Caldwell on the club’s search for new signings ahead of the transfer deadline on September 1 Wigan Athletic need signings “across the board” according to boss Gary Caldwell. Speaking after seeing his side play out a tepid 0-0 draw at Southport on Friday night, the Latics manager spoke of his frustration after seeing potential signings slip through the net. With the new season just around the corner, Caldwell admitted recruitment remains his priority, with the club continuing to pursue additions in a number of positions. "It's still across the board,” he said. “We're talking to people, and you get close on one, then it falls through, then another one comes up. "We know exactly what we want. I think we've been very clear throughout the window in terms of our strategy and the type of player we're signing, and we'll continue to do that right until the end of the window. "It's not even for me for the start of the season for the cup or the start of the league season. I think it's ridiculous that you start the season and the transfer window is still open, but that's another story. "Right until the end of August, we'll continue to try and make the squad as strong as we can make it." With Latics light on numbers, Caldwell called upon the help of three trialists who were handed starting roles at Southport. Former Portsmouth defender Tom McIntyre and ex-Birmingham City striker Scott Hogan started before coming off at half-time, while Archie Harris filled in at left-back. Caldwell was pleased with the trio’s input and said the club's ongoing recruitment search meant the trio's involvement was beneficial on several fronts. "We're just a bit light on numbers, and there are obviously trialists out there that we can look at who have the potential to sign,” he said. "We've done it earlier in pre-season and we'll continue to do it to take a look at players while also it helps us with numbers in terms of the players we need for games like tonight and tomorrow (at Grimsby) as well. "I thought they did quite well in the game, which is good for them, and we'll assess them over the next week as well." Subscribe now for HALF PRICE and catch every minute of our Latics coverage this season - from pre-season to the final whistle. Click here The match also provided valuable minutes for a host of academy players and saw Llyton Chapman make his first appearance since April following injury. But despite the clean sheet, Caldwell was left frustrated by his side's display, feeling they were too careless in possession and failed to make the most of promising situations, with K'Marni Miller seeing Wigan's best openings go begging. "It was good for them to play, but I've just said to them in there, I'm not going to keep it a secret - I think we need to be so much better,” he said. “I know they're young players, but too many times we gave the ball away, we were loose in possession and we need to be better. “But it's important minutes for younger players at this level, alongside some experienced players that they need to learn from, and hopefully they do."