Embarrassed Bristol City boss Lee Johnson admits he has rarely been more disappointed at one of his teams after seeing the Robins slump to a 1-0 defeat at Wigan.
Nick Powell's 52nd-minute header from Josh Windass' cross settled the contest at the DW Stadium as Wigan climbed above their opponents and into third place in the Sky Bet Championship.
While the promoted Latics were left to celebrate a win that leaves them just two points off leaders Leeds, City manager Johnson was struggling to find any positives.
He said on Sky Sports: "I thought we were poor, I thought it was a poor game really. I thought it lacked genuine quality on the day and the one bit of quality was probably the ball in and the finish that got them their goal.
"We weren't clinical, we didn't have enough structure, it's as disappointed as I've been in one of my sides I think, ever.
"That's how bad it was and I have to say I was a bit embarrassed. I think we've got a good group of lads and we're going to have to bounce back now pretty quickly."
It was City's second successive defeat after a run of four wins and Johnson admits it is "back to the drawing board" ahead of next week's visit of promotion hopefuls Aston Villa.
He also refused to blame the fact that it was City's third game in a week, just as it was for Wigan.
"I certainly wouldn't use that as an excuse, we've got a big enough squad to be able to mix and match," he said.
"There were just two or three things I didn't like about my team today. It is very frustrating to even admit that because I do believe in these boys and even though it's a new team I do believe we can be successful this year.
"Fair play to Wigan – they worked their socks off. I think stats-wise we'd probably be slightly ahead in terms of possession and chances but we just didn't play with any cohesion tonight.
"I've obviously got to have a big look at why that was but it's back to the drawing board and we've got to (put in) a performance now against Villa at home."
Wigan have now picked up 16 points from their opening nine games and are hot on the heels of top two Leeds and Middlesbrough heading into the weekend's fixtures.
Powell has played a significant part in that impressive start, with his match-winner on Friday being his fourth goal of the season, and manager Paul Cook was keen to laud the former Manchester United midfielder after the game.
Cook said in quotes reported by Wigan Today: "That one little bit of magic, a great header, ends up being the difference.
"He's doing really well. He'll take a lot of the plaudits tonight and rightly so, he's in a good place at the minute with his football."
Cook admitted he was "delighted" after winning a game he felt could easily have ended in a draw, but is not getting carried away with their current lofty league placing.
He added: "Tonight for me was a game that probably had a draw written all over it, there was nothing between the teams, they probably both cancelled each other out.
"As a newly promoted team it's great, but you're nine games in. It's a tough league and it's an unforgiving league. Disappointment is never too far away so we won't be getting ahead of ourselves."
