Latics promise turns to disappointment – Wigan Athletic 0 Leyton Orient 2

Posted on August 24, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Chelsea loanee Reggie Walsh made his debut
  • Wigan Athletic suffered consecutive League One defeats when Leyton Orient won 2-0 at the Brick Community Stadium.
  • The visitors took the lead after 15 minutes when Latics failed to clear their lines and Tony Springett finished from close range.
  • Latics went close to a leveller when Dara Costelloe lifted the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Baxter but just over the crossbar.
  • Loan signing Reggie Walsh thought he had equalised on his debut with a volley from 15 yards, but he was flagged for offside.
  • Orient doubled their lead after 58 minutes when a mistake by Jon Mellish was punished by Yusuf Akhamrich from 10 yards.
  • Gary Caldwell made five changes to try and get back into the game with substitute Chris Sze having a golden opportunity with his first touch, but he was denied by Orient’s replacement goalkeeper Noah Phillips.

Caldwell made four changes from the opening day League One defeat at Cambridge with James Carragher returning and Reggie Walsh and Fin Burns making their league debuts as well as start for Akeel Higgins.

Latics started brightly with Chelsea loanee Walsh making a good impression on his debut.

His through ball found Costelloe, but Baxter was out quickly to deny him. 

Despite a good opening, Latics were behind on 15 minutes when they failed to clear their lines following a corner and Springett was able to beat Joe Walsh from close range.

Latics tried to respond and created a number of chances.

Costelloe did well to break clear from Jensen Weir’s ball over the top, but his lifted effort just cleared the crossbar.

A Fraser Murray cross caused all sorts of problems for the Orient keeper as he fumbled the ball backwards and almost into his own goal but it went just wide for a corner. 

Latics thought they had their equaliser as Walsh, struck a left-footed volley sweetly into the back of the net from a half-cleared corner, but the celebrations were short-lived as the flag had gone up for offside.

Walsh went close again minutes later with a strike that looked destined for the top corner but the ball went over Baxter’s crossbar.

After the break and Latics went close once more as Higgins picked out the forward run of Costelloe. But the striker’s effort was wide of the right-hand post. 

As against Cambridge last week, Latics were punished for their lack of clinical finishing as Akhamrich pounced on a defensive mistake by Mellish to double Orient’s lead.

Caldwell tried to freshen things up – and made five changes including the debut of Luke Harris and the return of Ryan Trevitt – but they continued to struggle to create any real opportunities.

Sze was brought on with 15 minutes to go, and he had the best chance for Latics as a first-time Murray cross was perfect for him to score but he tamely poked the ball at the Orient keeper who pushed the effort away from goal.

The visitors held on for their first three points and Latics will hope they can ignite their own season at AFC Wimbledon next Sunday.

Overview

It is very early days in the season and Caldwell is assembling a promising new team, but Latics currently have problems at both ends of the pitch. 

Caldwell has expressed faith in new signing Sonny Perkins as a goalscorer but his track record is not a good one. Similarly Dara Costelloe, Chris Sze and Christian Saydee rarely get on the scoresheet. The transfer deadline is looming and if Latics want to be serious contenders this season a reliable goalscorer like Joe Taylor (who scored for Huddersfield on Saturday) is a must.

Defensively the departures of Jason Kerr and Will Aimson have not helped Latics’ cause and the defence have started poorly. It will take time for the new backline and goalkeeper to settle but they cannot continue to make so many mistakes and expect to win games.

Post-match comments

Afterwards Caldwell spoke to the media,

“I was delighted with the performance, and disappointed with the result,” he said.

“You always want to get off to a good start in the league, and win your home games, but when I look back on the game, I’m very confident I’ll see a lot of very positive things.

“I think we’re doing a lot of very positive things at the moment, but we’re gifting the opposition goals, and we’re gifting the opposition games.”

“We’re playing into their hands in terms of what they want. What is that, seven goals in the last three games now? That tells the story of what we need to get better at.”

“The first goal is another second-phase from a corner, which we work on, and it can’t happen.”

“The second goal is an individual error, after we spoke at half-time about staying in the game, and not allowing them to get a second, like we did last weekend and in midweek.”

“We’re a team that hasn’t played together a lot, we’ve got a lot of new players, and there will be teething problems within that.”

“I can see progression, though, while knowing there are certain areas we need to get better at. A lot of our game was good today, and we can’t ignore that because we’ve lost the game.”

“There are a lot of positives, and we need to keep building on those.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com
Posted in Gary Caldwell, League One, Leyton Orient, Tony Springett, Yusuf Akhamrich | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Review – The Changing Game: The past, present and future of football by Martin O’Neill

Posted on August 19, 2026 by ianhaspinall

At the age of 74, Martin O’Neill has successfully revived his management career with Celtic.

Last October O’Neill was asked to join the Scottish giants as interim manager and, over two stints at the helm, went on to win the Scottish Premiership and Cup double.

In his new book, which is now out in paperback, O’Neill reviews the changes that have taken place in the footballing world during his long career.

It is a book about the development of football in the last half century. From aspects like how we deal with injuries, foreign influences on the British game, the changing roles of managers and coaches, players and agents. The effect of social media, wage structures, and a few rule conversions adding to the mix.

O’Neill weighs up the pros and cons about whether the game has changed for the better or the worse. He rightly identifies improvements such as the pitches, the fitness of the players, the removal of hooliganism and racism.

But he also identifies plenty of negatives. For example, he comments, “Football stadiums are increasingly becoming a place for wealthy people, rather than the working-class environments they were in my day.

It is good that people are getting into football who weren’t before, but this can dilute the atmosphere and culture when fans are priced out. Football has become a big-money industry.” This was so evident during the recent World Cup when England fans were having to pay £1000-plus for a ticket.

As far as punditry is concerned, he is critical of some of the language that has become common. He says, “The modern media is obsessed with assists. That wasn’t a common concept in my days as a player. An ‘assist’ is just the last player to touch the ball before the goalscorer. Of course, sometimes a goal is the result of a brilliant cross or pass, but I think we put far too much emphasis on assists nowadays, adding them together with goals to accrue ‘goal contributions’, which is ridiculous.”

“Along with assists, the other big statistic that comes up a lot in punditry these days is ‘expected goals’. I think this is total nonsense. You’ve got to remember what the game is about: winning football matches, and that means scoring goals, not recording the expectation of them.”

O’Neill has successfully identified how the game has changed during his lifetime, but he says the essence of the game remains the same – the importance of team spirit, the way that winning or losing a game changes your entire mood for a week, and the basics of attacking and defending.

He has had one of the most successful managing and playing careers winning ten major honours as a manager and winning the European Cup (now Champions League) twice and the First Division (now Premier League) with Nottingham Forest as a player. Incredibly, he’s still winning trophies in his mid-70s.

Martin O’Neill – The Changing Game: The past, present and future of football. Published by Tallis Street Books. Price £14.99.

This review first appeared in the September/October 2026 edition of Late Tackle magazine.

Posted in Celtic, Football Book Reviews, Late Tackle magazine, Martin O'Neill, Nottingham Forest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics in opening day defeat despite second half rally – Cambridge United 3 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on August 15, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Akeel Higgins made an impressive League One debut for Latics
  • Wigan Athletic suffered an opening day 3-2 defeat to Cambridge United after an abject first half display.
  • Latics were 1-0 down after only three minutes when following a corner Mamadou Jobe headed the ball into the path of former Latic Kell Watts, who forced the ball past Joe Walsh.
  • The visitors were 2-0 down on 34 minutes after some hapless defending. Isaac Heath led a break from the halfway line before finding Louis Appere who slid the ball past Walsh.
  • The match looked over seven minutes after half time, when Heath added Cambridge’s third finishing from Shane McLoughlin’s shot across goal.
  • But Latics rallied and on 69 minutes substitute Akeel Higgins hit a post from distance and Sonny Perkins followed in the rebound.
  • Four minutes later Latics scored again as a deep cross was nodded back across goal by Dara Costelloe, allowing Higgins to score from close range.
  • Despite some late pressure the visitors were unable to find an equaliser and Cambridge got their season off to a winning start.

Latics got off to a dreadful start when they went one down after only three minutes.

Following a corner Mamadou Jobe headed the ball into the path of former Latic Kell Watts, who forced the ball past Joe Walsh.

The visitors tried to get back into the game with Costelloe heading over but they were 2-0 down on 34 minutes after some hapless defending. Morgan Fox and Jensen Weir both failed to clear the ball and Heath found Appere, who slid the ball past Walsh.

The match looked over seven minutes after half time, when Heath added Cambridge’s third finishing from Shane McLoughlin’s mis hit shot across goal.

Latics made a double substitution on the hour mark, with K’Marni Miller and Akeel Higgins taking over from Connor Barrett and Chris Sze, to join Archie Harris, who replaced Llyton Chapman at the interval.

The visitors now looked more of a threat with Higgins looking particularly lively.

After Miller fired over from a decent shooting position, Latics pulled one back on 69 minutes when Higgins’ superb strike from 25 yards hit the post, before Sonny Perkins followed up to score from close range.

Soon afterwards Fraser Murray’s cross was headed back across goal by Costelloe, and Higgins tapped home from close range to make it 2-3.

Latics exerted late pressure but they were unable to create any clear-cut chances to snatch a point.

Overview

This was a disappointing opening to the season for Gary Caldwell’s fledgling team.

Unfortunately the first half defending was completely unacceptable and there will have to be a big improvement against Leyton Orient at the Brick Community Stadium next week.

Latics had been competitive against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, but against Cambridge in the first half they just didn’t compete, they were unable to defend long balls and they gave the ball away far too easily.

Latics missed the injured James Carragher but the other defenders did not cover themselves in glory in the first half.

New signing Finley Burns should add some quality to the defence and further recruits are needed before the end of the transfer window.

It will take time for Caldwell’s new team to settle down but they must quickly eradicate the basic mistakes of today.

Post-match comments

Speaking afterwards to the media Gary Caldwell said,

“I’m disappointed with the start. It wasn’t a good performance until we probably brought the substitutions on.

“One thing we spoke about coming here is competing, and we didn’t compete. We didn’t defend long balls well; we didn’t look after the ball well.

“I said competing isn’t just about tackling; it’s about keeping the ball, being brave on the ball, it’s about getting one-v-one and getting at people, and we didn’t do anywhere near enough of that. That’s the harsh reality of League One football, and we have to get up to speed quickly.

“I thought when we made the double change, even the second half in general, but we can’t concede the goals that we did and expect to win.

“We have to be better, we have to improve, and we knew that at the start of the summer. We knew that it was going to be a transitional period, and too many things went wrong today that we have to do better.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com
Posted in Akeel Higgins, Cambridge United, Gary Caldwell, Isaac Heath, Kell Watts, League One, Louis Appere | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Review – HH: Helenio Herrara Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts by Richard Fitzpatrick

Posted on June 10, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Review - HH: Helenio Herrara Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts by Richard Fitzpatrick cover

Richard Fitzpatrick has produced a fascinating biography of Helenio Herrara, one of the most enigmatic, successful and yet disturbing characters in European football.

Herrara had an almost mythic existence: a poverty-stricken childhood; he nearly died from diphtheria; he may have come from Buenos Aires or Casablanca; he said he was born in 1910 but after his death it was it was revealed he was born in 1916.

HH played for eight or nine clubs in France and fathered multiple children with different partners. As a coach Herrara won La Liga twice with both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, but it was his move to Inter Milan in 1960 that propelled him to stardom.

Fitzpatrick believes that HH was football’s first celebrity coach. He was the bridge between the days of working-class coaches and the millionaire managers of the modern era. He used every tactic possible to big up his players and boost their confidence.

Many people compare him to José Mourinho as he was known for being a charismatic, yet manipulative, outspoken figure who made managers central to team success for the first time.

Helenio Herrara
Helenio Herrara

HH is regarded as the original master of the dark arts. While not the inventor, Herrera perfected Catenaccio (the “door-bolt” system) at Inter Milan, leading them to two consecutive European Cups (1964, 1965) and three Serie A titles.

Contrary to some views of his tactics being purely defensive, his teams were known for lightning-fast counterattacks and intense fitness, which he demanded from his players.

Herrera ran a “regime of performance-enhancing drugs” (amphetamines) in Spain and Italy, which players sometimes hid under their tongues to avoid detection, according to interviews with former players. 

Nicknamed “Il Mago” (The Wizard), HH was a pioneer in sports psychology, using motivational slogans like “Taca la bala” (attack the ball) and engaging in deep psychological warfare, including “ritiro” (pre-match hotel lock-ups) to maintain strict control.

Fabio Capello, the former England manager, played under HH at AS Roma from 1968 until 1970. Capello was HH’s lieutenant on the pitch. He gave Capello great self-belief, the idea that he should never fear an opponent. Capello commented,

“He changed football in Italy in his era. His teams played with greater speed, with original ideas. He did things differently to any of the other coaches I worked with. He was 10 years ahead of them in his thinking. He was more forward-thinking, an innovator. He got players to interchange positions. He was great at getting the team moving without the ball.”

“His training sessions were very demanding. Everything was done at pace. He had lots of energy. He always held to his belief, his mantra: ‘As we train, so we play’ – if you maintain high standards, things will go well. It stuck with me. With other coaches, training was more relaxed.”

He was a man of contrasts: a devout practitioner of yoga for 50 years, yet a violent man, who allegedly attacked a fan and was a known philanderer. His career was affected by the 1969 death of Roma striker Giuliano Taccola, who died of heart failure after being forced to train despite being ill, leading to a manslaughter trial against Herrera. He was not convicted but his reputation had been damaged.

Herrera is not particularly well known in England but Fitzpatrick’s compelling book about this extraordinary character deserves to be read by a wide audience.

HH: Helenio Herrara Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts by Richard Fitzpatrick. Published by Bloomsbury Sport. Price £20. 

This review first appeared in the July/August 2026 edition of Late Tackle magazine.

Posted in Football Book Reviews, Helenio Herrara, Late Tackle magazine, Richard Fitzpatrick, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Recommended World Cup Book Reviews

Posted on June 10, 2026 by ianhaspinall

Here’s my personal recommendations of the best football books about the World Cup. Kick off the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA with one of these great reads. 

Review – Answered Prayers: England and the 1966 World Cup by Duncan Hamilton

‘Answered Prayers’ is Duncan Hamilton’s personal homage to Alf Ramsay and the England World Cup winners. 1966 is still England’s crowning football achievement and it may never be surpassed, but Ramsay and the players never got the rewards and recognition they deserved and were treated poorly by the Football Association.

The Power and the Gory - A New History of the World Cup cover

Review – The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup by Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson’s comprehensive history of the World Cup is not just about football. During the five hundred plus pages he makes a strong case that the story of the World Cup is also the story of the world.

Last Boy of 66 Cover

Review – Last Boy of ’66: My Story of England’s World Cup Winning Team by Sir Geoff Hurst

Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst is the last surviving member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team and his latest book delves deepest into his life and the key characters of the final. Hurst has had a bittersweet life with some unbelievable highs and distressing lows. The deaths of his younger brother Robert and his eldest daughter Claire are darknesses that he has taken decades to process.

O Jogo Bonito cover

Review – O Jogo Bonito! Brazil’s 1970 World Cup Samba Party by Gary Thacker

Gary Thacker’s book is the story of probably the greatest football team in the history of the World Cup. ‘O Jogo Bonito’ is Portuguese for ‘the beautiful game’ and the Brazilian World Cup winning team of 1970 truly defined the phrase.

Review – Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon by Chris Evans

Chris Evans’s biography of Gary Lineker provides a fascinating insight into one of football’s most popular characters. Lineker led the itinerant life of a footballer with Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Spurs, Grampus Eight and England before becoming the accomplished presenter of Match of the Day and other sports broadcasts, a successful entrepreneur and owner of sports podcasts.

Review: Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje – The Unfulfilled Glory of Dutch Football by Gary Thacker

Gary Thacker’s ‘Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje’ provides an illuminating and in-depth analysis of the Dutch national team and their dramatic failure to win a World Cup. This is an extensive history of Dutch football, but the narrative really gathers pace with the 1970s when they reached the World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978.

After Extra Time and Penalties

Review: After Extra Time and Penalties – Memories of a BBC Football Correspondent by Mike Ingham

Former BBC football Correspondent Mike Ingham’s autobiography is a thoughtful homage to the golden age of sports broadcasting. His own broadcasting experiences saw him attend eight World Cups, commentate on twenty-eight FA Cup Finals, work with ten full-time England managers and introduce Sports Report.

What You Think You Know About Footballi is Wrong

Review: What You Think You Know About Football is Wrong – The Game’s Greatest Myths and Untruths by Kevin Moore

The former director of the National Football Museum Kevin Moore has produced a challenging and revelatory new book which debunks many of the myths and assumptions about football. In 50 short chapters Moore shatters many of the strongly held beliefs of football fans. His entertaining commentary is generally supported with hard facts and statistics although occasionally he does stray onto more subjective ground.

Book Review: World in Motion – The Inside Story of Italia ’90 by Simon Hart

Simon Hart revisits Italia ‘90 with an entertaining journey through one of the most culturally significant World Cups. It was a rare tournament with Scotland, Ireland and England all qualifying. It was a time of Gazza’s tears, Pavarotti’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ and New Order’s ‘World In Motion’. Italia ‘90 was to prove groundbreaking in so many different ways.

Luka Modric My Autobiography cover

Review: Luka Modric My Autobiography

From humble beginnings Luka Modric has achieved incredible things during his football career winning more than 15 trophies with Real Madrid, a FIFA World Cup finalist, Golden Ball winner, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, FIFA Best Men’s Player and Ballon d’Or Winner.

Posted in 1966, 1970s, 1980s', Brazil, Croatia, England, Football Book Reviews, Germany, Holland, Italia '90, Wigan Athletic, World Cup | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics edged out in controversial fashion as Stevenage make the playoffs – Stevenage 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on May 3, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Stevenage defend a Latics attack
  • Wigan Athletic suffered a controversial 1-0 defeat to playoff-chasing Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.
  • As the game moved into injury time, Stevenage were seventh and behind Plymouth in the table.
  • But in the 92nd minute the hosts were awarded a goal by Dan Sweeney following a goalmouth scramble. The ball did not appear to cross the line but the linesman awarded the goal.
  • Latics will have been frustrated that they did not capitalise on their chances and by some erratic refereeing from Matthew Russell. 
  • Joe Taylor was brought down in the penalty area by goalkeeper Filip Marschall but the referee waved away the striker’s appeals.
  • Sam Tickle made some important saves to deny the hosts but Taylor had an effort cleared off the line and substitute Harrison Bettoni went close for the visitors when his 81st minute strike crashed against the crossbar.
  • Latics finish the season in 16th place and Stevenage in sixth in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell made one change from the defeat against AFC Wimbledon with Christian Saydee replacing Harrison Bettoni in the starting line-up.

Chances were limited in the opening period but the hosts first chance came after 17 minutes when Jordan Roberts cross to the back post found former Latic Charlie Goode, who headed over the bar from close range.

Latics first opportunity came when Raphael found space down the right and cut inside but his deflected effort found the side netting. 

Latics were frustrated when Taylor was brought down in the penalty area by goalkeeper Marschall but the referee Russell waved away the striker’s appeals.

At the other end Dan Kemp’s deflected half chance from the edge of the area was comfortably saved by Tickle. 

Later Matt Phillips’ strike from the edge of the area just cleared the crossbar.

In the second half Latics had an early chance when Raphael broke free down the right and tried to pull the back to the edge of the six-yard box but the Stevenage keeper did well to block the cross.

Louis Thompson threatened for the hosts when he volleyed towards the top corner but Tickle saved. 

Taylor then nearly broke the deadlock when his clever flick beat the Stevenage keeper but it was cleared off the line by Goode.

Goode then popped up at the other end forcing Tickle into a superb save plucking the ball out of the top corner. 

It was end-to-end now and Bettoni picked up the ball and let fly from the edge of the area, Marschall was beaten but the ball crashed against the crossbar.

News that Stevenage could miss out on the playoffs was spreading around the ground.

The hosts pressed for the breakthrough and in added time they were awarded a goal by Sweeney following a goalmouth scramble. The ball did not appear to cross the line but the linesman awarded the goal.

It was an unsatisfactory finish to the game for Latics but Stevenage advanced to the playoffs.

Overview

Latics will be disappointed to have lost the game when they had matched their playoff chasing hosts.

They had been denied a point at the death by a hugely controversial decision by the referee and linesman. Replays suggest that the ball didn’t cross the line and the score should have remained level.

They had been equal to the home side throughout and on another day might’ve come away with all three points.

They had created enough chances to win the game with Taylor having a good shout for a penalty denied and having an effort cleared off the line. Bettoni went close twice and crashed a dipping strike against the crossbar.

The hosts had also created good chances themselves but Tickle had been in excellent form to deny them.

It looked as though the game would finish in a stalemate until the late controversial decision.

Post-match comments

Afterwards Caldwell spoke the media. He said,

“It’s never nice to lose.”

“I thought we played well in moments of the game, but we weren’t ruthless enough with the opportunities we created, which probably sums up our season.

“When I came in February, this Club was in a dangerous position. We picked up 25 points from 16 games, and the players deserve a lot of credit for that.

“I think we’ve seen again today at this level – the fine margins – and we need to have a big summer ahead of us, and we need to be much, much better overall as a Football Club.

“I was really pleased with the players’ effort and attitude. We have kept going right until the very end – they couldn’t have given much more – but all the little things that ultimately win you football matches and get you to the places you want to be.

“We can’t stand still, and we can’t accept that. We have to keep pushing, keep driving to be better, and we’ll do that over the summer. We will make sure that when we come back in pre-season, we will work extremely hard to give our supporters a team they can be really proud of.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com

Posted in Dan Sweeney, Gary Caldwell, League One | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Wigan slip up as Wimbledon stay up – Wigan Athletic 0 AFC Wimbledon 1

Posted on April 26, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Gary Caldwell was disappointed with the performance
  • Wigan Athletic slipped to their first defeat in six games as Wimbledon got a last gasp winner to retain their League One status.
  • Latics enjoyed the greater possession and had more shots but the visitors battled hard to stay in the game.
  • The Dons best chance of the first half fell to Layton Stewart but Sam Tickle did superbly to come off his line quickly to block the strike.
  • Latics huffed and puffed but struggled to create any clear cut chances.
  • Just when it looked like the match would end in a stalemate the Dons struck in the 90th minute when substitute Antwoine Hackford converted fellow substitute Zack Nelson’s cross to secure safety for Wimbledon.
  • Latics are now in 16th place and Wimbledon are in 18th place in the League One table with one game of the season remaining.

Caldwell made two changes to the starting lineup following the 0-0 draw with Port Vale, with Captain Jason Kerr replacing Morgan Fox, and Harrison Bettoni replacing Dara Costelloe.

Latics started confidently and controlled possession but without really threatening the Dons goal.

Joe Taylor did well by the touchline to evade a Dons defender but he was unceremoniously brought down when he looked to have broken free.

The hosts approach play was good but when they got to the final third they were unable to penetrate a resolute Dons defence.

In fact the best chance of the half fell to the visitors Stewart but Tickle did superbly to come off his line quickly to block the strike.

Latics continued to dominate possession in the second half but they were once again frustrated by the Dons dogged defence.

Wimbledon did threaten on the counterattack and Stewart appeared to be pulled down by James Carragher on the edge of the box but despite appeals from the visitors, referee Matt Corlett waved away appeals.

Latics continued to press for the breakthrough and Fraser Murray came close when he cut inside and produced a powerful strike towards the top corner but the ball just cleared the crossbar.

Soon afterwards Latics went even closer when the ball bounced around the box following numerous blocked efforts before Taylor’s final effort was blocked on the line.

Just when it looked like the match would end in a stalemate the Dons struck in the 90th minute when substitute Hackford converted fellow substitute Nelson’s cross to secure safety for Wimbledon.

The defeat put a bit of a damper on Latics’ post match celebrations and they will be hoping for an improved performance in their final league one fixture at Stevenage next Saturday.

Overview

This wasn’t how the last home game was supposed to end. 

Latics had been hoping that they would sign off their last home game with a celebratory victory to finish the campaign.

But relegation threatened Wimbledon had other ideas and spoiled the party. The visitors had been defensively solid and tenacious in their desire not to lose the game.

Ultimately they had scored a late winner with a rare attack in a game that Latics had dominated.

The Dons hard work and commitment had shown they just wanted the victory more than Latics.

Latics had lacked a cutting edge and this game demonstrated that if Taylor isn’t firing then goals are hard to come by.

This performance will have given Caldwell plenty of food for thought. It will have given the manager more insights into the type of player that will be needed for next season if Latics are to be successful.

It’s clear that goalscoring has been a problem for most of the season and if it wasn’t for the loan of Taylor Latics might now be contemplating life in League Two.

A goalscoring striker who can lead the line must surely be the priority for next season.

League One Table

Post-match comments 

Afterwards Gary Caldwell spoke to the media.

“It was really disappointing in terms of the result.” He said.

“It was a frustrating game overall – we dominated possession. They came with a clear game plan and carried it out perfectly.

“We didn’t do enough – we didn’t play quickly enough, and didn’t hit the target enough. We had 16 shots, 10 corners and didn’t utilise them well enough to create problems.

“Ultimately, the longer the game went on, I could feel what was coming. We should’ve seen the game out for a 0-0 because when we can’t win like that, we cannot lose the game. 

“It was a big disappointment, but I am learning again about players and what we need to do as a team next season.

“Since we’ve been safe, part one is done, but there’s a big job to do in the summer to make sure that we have a much better team next season.

“The fans have been amazing. They have had a year which they do not want, and I have to make sure that next year they see a team they can be proud of, and hopefully when we play our last game here next season, there’s a much different feeling.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com

Posted in AFC Wimbledon, Antwoine Hackford, Gary Caldwell, League One | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics held in stalemate with the Valiants who are on the brink of relegation – Port Vale 0 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on April 20, 2026 by ianhaspinall
View from the away end
  • Wigan Athletic were held to a 0-0 draw by relegation threatened Port Vale in a game of poor quality at Vale Park.
  • Latics had some early chances with Joe Taylor twice and Morgan Fox missing the target.
  • Early in the second half Taylor blazed well wide with another good opportunity.
  • As the half progressed Vale gradually started to create chances and a strike by Ethan Archer produced an excellent save from Sam Tickle.
  • In added time Tickle produced a brilliant reaction save to keep out substitute Ben Waine’s close-range effort and the points had to be shared.
  • Latics had mathematically secured their League One status after Saturday’s results but Vale now need to win all of their four remaining fixtures to have any hope of survival.
  • Latics are in 13th place and the Valiants are in 23rd place in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell made one change to his side from the midweek victory over Rotherham United, with Morgan Fox coming in to replace the injured Jason Kerr. 

Latics started brightly and they could’ve gone ahead after only three minutes when Taylor broke clear but he volleyed over the crossbar. 

Just four minutes later, Latics had another opportunity. Fox latched onto a Fraser Murray corner and looked to guide into the top corner of the net, but the header just cleared the crossbar.

Taylor then had another opportunity when Callum Wright’s ball across the face of goal found the striker but the effort was straight at Joe Gauci.

The hosts first attempt at goal came in the one minute of added time with Liam Gordon firing high and wide.

At the start of the second half Latics could have taken the lead when Taylor capitalised on a mistake and unleashed a powerful strike but it was once again wide of the target.

As the half progressed the hosts upped their game and Latics retreated into defence.

Archer created an opportunity for Ryan Croasdale but his effort was straight at Tickle.

Tickle then came to Latics rescue in added time as Vale pressed for the winner.

A cross from the right came into the six-yard box where substitute Waine was able to flick towards the near post, but Tickle produced an excellent reaction save low down to his left keep the score level and earn a point for Latics.

Overview

Latics 1500 away fans were hoping for a celebratory performance but it never materialised as they rarely got out of second gear against Port Vale.

The normally reliable Joe Taylor had an off day and missed several good chances to open the scoring.

Latics players looked a little jaded after their recent three game winning streak and maybe having their League One status confirmed on Saturday took a little edge out of their game.

They had some good opportunities in the first half but in the second half they were mainly pegged back in their own half.

Against more clinical opponents they might easily have lost the game, but thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from Tickle they came away with a point.

Caldwell’s Tics Transformation

Latics looked destined for relegation under Ryan Lowe and Gary Caldwell has produced a remarkable turn around since he took over in February.

They have picked up 24 out of a possible 39 points and their safety was confirmed on Saturday afternoon following results elsewhere. 

Caldwell’s men having recorded three successive victories over Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and Rotherham United and are now one of the form teams in the division.

If only Caldwell and his coaching team had been appointed at the beginning of the season instead of Lowe, Latics might now have been preparing for the playoffs.

League One Table

Post-match comments 

Afterwards Caldwell spoke to the media and said, 

“It was a really tough game – and we knew it would be before the game.”

“They’ve only lost one in 10 here and have been on a brilliant run since Jon Brady came into the Club.

“I thought we started the game well and created good opportunities in the first half, and probably needed to take one of them to make the game easier.

“In the second half, we had to defend because they put us under a lot of pressure and put a lot of balls into our box. We defended well, and Sam (Tickle) came up with an unbelievable save at the end of the game.

“It was a hard, well-earned point, and we’ll take it and move on. 

“We have to be a team that is hard to play against and hard to beat. It’s another clean sheet, which is a really important foundation that any good team needs to be defensively sound. I am pleased with a lot of aspects – there are areas we can definitely improve.”

After a magnificent run of results from February under Caldwell’s leadership, Latics’ 2026/27 Sky Bet League One status was confirmed yesterday following results elsewhere. 

While the travelling supporters celebrated survival, Caldwell struck a measured tone about what it means for the Club moving forward.

“Staying up was the first task since I have come back, and it should never be the case that we celebrate that, because we should be looking at a much different challenge next season in trying to be up the other end of this league.

“In the situation we were in, the players have really performed well and got the points we needed, and it’s important we never find ourselves in this position again.”

Jason Kerr missed Sunday’s match through injury, while Ryan Trevitt had to go off late through injury. The Gaffer is hoping the pair both return to action before the end of the campaign.

“Jason (Kerr) is injured and will hopefully be back at some point next week. It’s not a serious one. 

“I don’t know what Ryan (Trevitt) has done yet, but we had made all of our substitutes, and he had to go off. It’s really frustrating for him because he’s worked so hard to get to the level he is at. 

“Fingers crossed it’s not serious, and he can get back quick.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com
Posted in Gary Caldwell, League One, Port Vale, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Latics move into mid-table as the Millers are relegated – Wigan Athletic 3 Rotherham United 0

Posted on April 15, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Callum Wright scored his third goal in three games
  • Wigan Athletic moved into mid-table as they comfortably defeated League Two bound Rotherham United 3-0 at the Brick Community Stadium.
  • Latics went ahead after 15 minutes when a well-worked move ended with captain Jason Kerr heading home from close range.
  • The hosts doubled their lead on 59 minutes when the prolific striker Joe Taylor converted Matt Smith’s through ball.
  • The visitors offered very little attacking threat and the hosts increased their advantage on 63 minutes when Callum Wright’s strike took a big deflection and looped over the Rotherham keeper Ted Cann.
  • This was Latics third straight win and the result has moved them eight points above the relegation zone with just three games remaining.
  • Latics are now in 13th place and the relegated Millers are in 22nd place. 

Gary Caldwell named an unchanged side for the fourth consecutive match.

Latics started brightly and they created a couple of early chances. Following a corner James Carragher flicked on at the near post, but the Rotherham defence managed to clear.

Soon afterwards Fraser Murray got past his marker down the left and cut the ball back to Dara Costelloe on the edge of the six-yard box whose first-time shot was tipped around the post by Ted Cann.

Following a well-worked move Latics went ahead on 15 minutes.

Smith set a ball back to Raphael who crossed towards the back post for Carragher to nod back across goal to Kerr who headed home from close range.

Rotherham briefly threatened just before half-time but Sam Nombe fired high and wide from the edge of the area. 

Latics started the second half in strong fashion and they doubled their advantage on 63 minutes when Smith played a superb through ball to Taylor, who produced a first time finish past the on-rushing Cann.

Four minutes later Wright added a third with his third goal in three games.

The midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the area and his strike deflected off a defender before looping over Cann and into the net.

Rotherham had offered very little throughout and Latics had run out comfortable winners.

Overview

After three consecutive victories Latics are virtually safe from relegation with three games remaining.

Gary Caldwell has made such a difference since he took over as Manager. The team was in dire straights and looked destined for relegation under Ryan Lowe. Those same players are now performing to a high level and producing promotion level performances under Caldwell’s direction.

Admittedly Caldwell has been lucky to have the services of one of the best strikers in League One. Since joining in January on loan Joe Taylor has scored a remarkable 11 goals.

But the manager has galvanised the whole club and given the players the confidence to be a force in the division.

If he is backed with some sensible resources in the summer the signs are very promising for next season.

League One Table

Post-match comments

Speaking afterwards to the media, Caldwell said,

“He was really delighted to win back-to-back for the first time all season and then have a Tuesday night game.

It was important the players recovered and then came out again with a winning mentality. A ruthless mentality.

I thought they showed that from the start of the game. We were aggressive, we scored a brilliant goal from a second phase set-piece, we could’ve had more in that first half.

Second half I think we went up a level. I thought some of our play was as as good as it’s been since I’ve been back in terms of our passing through lines, scored two goals, could’ve scored more, clean sheet, so really happy.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com

Posted in Callum Wright, Gary Caldwell, Jason Kerr, Joe Taylor, League One, Rotherham United, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Stags pay the penalty as Latics move up the table – Wigan Athletic 2 Mansfield Town 1

Posted on April 12, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Joe Taylor made the difference
  • Wigan Athletic defeated Mansfield Town 2-1 at the Brick Community Stadium to move away from the relegation zone in League One.
  • Mansfield enjoyed plenty of possession but it was Latics who took the lead in the 25th minute. A superb through ball by Raphael found Callum Wright down the left and he cut inside before slotting past Anthony Nunez.
  • The visitors responded and were level within three minutes as Lucas Akins shot from the centre of the box found the bottom left corner.
  • In the second half Latics almost regained the lead when Joe Taylor’s strike was parried into the path of substitute Christian Saydee but he could only hit the post from close range.
  • Latics did go ahead on 71 minutes when Taylor got away from his marker and was brought down by Frazer Blake-Tracy when through on goal. Taylor stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick.
  • The Stags had late opportunities with Kyle Knowle, Will Evans and Blake-Tracy all going close but Latics held on for a vital three points in their search for League One safety.
  • Latics move up to 15th place and the Stags are in 13th place in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell named an unchanged side for the third consecutive game. On-loan Brentford midfielder Ryan Trevitt returned to the matchday squad for the first time since September.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession but Latics took the lead with their first real attack.

A superb through ball by Raphael found Wright down the left and he cut inside before slotting past Nunez.

However, Mansfield quickly found themselves back on level terms when Jon Russell’s cross into the area after a corner was cleared, found the feet of Akins, who finished into the bottom corner. 

1-1 at the interval but Latics looked much better after the break.

Early in the second half centre back Will Aimson created an opportunity for himself when he drove forward from his own half, his strike from the edge of the area only narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Latics almost regained the lead when Joe Taylor’s strike was parried into the path of substitute Christian Saydee but the substitute could only hit the post from close range.

Taylor gave Latics the advantage soon afterwards when he got away from his marker and was brought down by Blake-Tracy when through on goal. The on-loan Huddersfield striker stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick.

The visitors tried to respond and they pressed for an equaliser when Knoyle’s strike forced Sam Tickle into a save low down before Evans followed in on the rebound but struck wide. 

Blake-Tracy then had a chance but his header from the centre of the box was narrowly wide of the target.

Caldwell made three substitutions to get Latics over the line with Owen Moxon, replacing Smith, Ryan Trevitt replacing Taylor and Morgan Fox replacing Raphael.

In added time Trevitt nearly added a third goal when his left footed shot from the centre of the box was narrowly wide of the post.

Latics secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season and increased the gap between themselves and the drop zone with four games remaining.

Overview

Incredibly this was a game of firsts for Latics, a first back-to-back win of the season and also a first penalty awarded and converted. 

Latics are a different team under Gary Caldwell’s management. If only he had been appointed earlier, they might now be looking at a playoff position.

In a closely fought encounter, the difference between the two teams was ultimately the quality of Taylor. He produced a brilliant turn of pace to evade his marker and draw the penalty which he confidently converted. 

If only Latics could somehow secure his services they would be in a strong position for next season.

League One Table

Post-match comments 

Speaking afterwards Caldwell was thrilled with the result and has challenged his players to make it three wins on the bounce when Rotherham United visit on Tuesday night. 

It’s an amazing three points,” he told the media.

“I thought that the players gave everything – I said at half time, the game was there for us, and we just had to up the quality and energy.

“They went out in the second half and gave that – I thought we deserved to win in the end.

“It was all about sticking to the process. We said as good a team Mansfield are, the big thing was to focus on ourselves and be clear with how we were going to score goals and stop them.

“I thought we defended well and didn’t give them too many opportunities, even though we sat in at the end. 

“I am delighted with how the players played, and how they responded in the second half when we asked for a bit more.

“It’s a real team effort to make sure we keep winning games, and doing enough to make sure we are a League One club next year.

“It’s another step forward – but we have to be professional and prepare for another tough match on Tuesday. We have to keep going all the way until the end of the season. 

“It’s the first time this season in the league where we’ve won back-to-back, and the challenge is to now recover tonight and tomorrow, prepare on Monday, and see if we can make it three.

“What they’ve been giving is incredible, but there’s still four games remaining.”

Player ratings

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Posted in Callum Wright, Gary Caldwell, Joe Taylor, League One, Lukas Akins, Mansfield Town | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment