WHEN young players get sent out on loan it is largely to develop them as a player and enhance their football education and experiences.

Charlie Wellens has only been with Oldham Athletic for 21 days, but already he could not have asked for much more.

His senior debut was swiftly followed by his first senior goal - a wonderful last-minute winner no less - and then, just a few days later, he was introduced to a new manager, after John Sheridan's sixth spell in charge of Latics came to an emotional end.

"Moving up to senior level you get a lot of new experiences, but it's good, you've just got to deal with it," said the 19-year-old, who is on loan from Manchester United until January.

He has been well schooled at Old Trafford and Carrington, but also has the benefit of his footballing dad, Richie's, experience.

"He's taught me a lot about the politics of football and the stuff you've got to get through and deal with as a person. You've got to be strong and get through it," said Wellens of the words of wisdom passed down from the former Latics player and manager, who is now boss of Leyton Orient.

Wellens senior would have been especially proud of the role his son played in last Saturday's send-off for Sheridan in securing a late 3-2 win over Eastleigh.

"It was special, that's the only word for it. Seeing the fans go mental like that, there's nothing better, honestly," said the youngster of his significant first senior goal.

"We needed a win. The manager said at half-time if we believe in ourselves we can do a lot, we can get back up to the top of the table or thereabouts. To score that goal in his last game as well, nothing better.

"We got the early goal but then conceded two sloppy goals again, we've got to stop conceding those soft goals.

"But credit to the lads, we stuck in there which we haven't done recently to be fair, and we got the win for the fans, and for the manager.

"He brought me in for my first loan so I sort of owed him it.

"I wanted to do it for him and hopefully it was a good send-off for him. He has done a lot for the club and we all love him to be fair.

"A new manager has come in now and I've just got to try to impress him and keep my place in the starting line-up, and keep trying to impress the fans as well."

And, Wellens says, that is the general consensus among the rest of the squad.

"The changing room's good, especially with the win. We're only a couple of good results from getting back up there so we've just got to keep positive," he added.

"We've had good spells. We've not been battered in any games. Scorelines we have, but they've all been soft goals. If we cut that out we're in games and then we'll start to dominate games."