Latics move up at the Tykes expense – Wigan Athletic 2 Barnsley 1

Posted on November 15, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Fraser Murray scored his first goal of the season
  • Wigan Athletic moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory against fellow strugglers Barnsley at the Brick Community Stadium.
  • In an evenly contested game Latics went ahead on 36 minutes when Fraser Murray scored his first goal of the season curling a superb strike past Cieran Slicker into the far corner.
  • The visitors started the second half brightly and they drew level on 57 minutes when Reyes Cleary set up Cameron McGeehan.
  • But Latics were not to be outdone and Jensen Weir headed home Morgan Fox’s cross at the back post on 75 minutes.
  • Latics are now in 19th place and the Tykes in 23rd place in the League One table.

Caldwell made seven changes from Tuesday night’s victory at Crewe in the EFL Trophy with Latics reverting to the side that secured progression into the FA Cup Second Round with victory over Boreham Wood.

The visitors had the first opportunity in the 13th minute when Reyes Cleary won a free-kick around 30 yards out and Luca Connell tested Joe Whitworth, who produced a fine save tipping over the crossbar.

Latics’ first real opportunity came when Slicker punched away a cross but only for Max Power on the edge of the area to strike a first-time volley just wide. 

Murray started to pose a threat down the left. Jon Mellish set up the Scottish wide man who came inside and curled an effort towards the bottom right corner, but Slicker parried it away. 

However, when Murray tried again soon afterwards he made the breakthrough.

The Latics wingback hit a superb curling effort around the despairing dive of Slicker and into the net at the far post.

The visitors started the second half strongly pushing players forward and putting hosts on the back foot.

Cleary raced past his marker and his low cross into the six-yard box, found McGeehan who slid in and finished powerfully into the net. 

It looked like Latics would struggle to react to the setback but they responded well and 20 minutes later when Fox crossed to the back post, Weir rose above his marker and headed into the top right corner past the flapping Slicker.

Barnsley threw men forward in an attempt to draw level, but Latics might’ve scored again on the counterattack with Christian Saydee, Brad Burrowes and substitute Ryan Trevitt denied by some last-ditch saves and defending.

Despite some nervy moments Latics held on for an important victory which moved them out of the relegation zone.

Next up for Latics is another bottom-end-of-the-table clash with local rivals Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Overview

This was a game that Latics dared not lose as they had played more games than the other teams and they needed to move away from the bottom four.

They played well in patches but weren’t totally convincing. After Barnsley had equalised they were in the ascendancy, but Weir came to Latics’ rescue with a winning header.

Murray had his best game of the season after what has been a rough patch for the Scottish wingback. He was a constant threat particularly in the first half and he scored a superb curling effort to put Latics ahead.

Jensen Weir did the hard yards again and popped up with the crucial winning goal.

Joe Whitworth continues to impress in goal and is a very reliable replacement for Sam Tickle.

Overall Caldwell’s team is improving game by game and they have now made it three wins in a row and five unbeaten in all competitions. 

The trick now is to keep up the good form and to move further up the table.

Post-match comments

Speaking to the media, Caldwell said:

“I think as we evolve into the team we want to be, then that is definitely a trait we want to have: when we are not playing at our best, we can win football matches. Any top team, good team does that.

“I thought we had a five-minute spell in the first half, where we were excellent; we scored in that period, but second half, we just couldn’t get going, get any sort of rhythm, but always looked to threaten the counter.

“Yeah, we look like a team that can score; we create chances, we were doing that at the start of the season, and they weren’t quite going in the back of the net. 

“But if you keep working, you keep believing, and you keep building an understanding within the team, then we always knew that there would be moments when the goals would start to come.

“We have a lot of things we can improve. We have a lot of opportunities to get better, and as long as we keep working and work into the process that we have weekly, I see the team growing in terms of the quality of the performances.

“I also see a real spirit and a togetherness growing in this group, and we need to continue that to keep this one going.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com
Posted in Barnsley, Cameron McGeehan, Fraser Murray, Gary Caldwell, Jensen Weir, League One | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Latics ease into the FA Cup Second Round – Boreham Wood 0 Wigan Athletic 3

Posted on November 8, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Morgan Fox at the double
  • Wigan Athletic avoided a potential banana skin when they comfortably defeated Boreham Wood 3-0 at Meadow Park in the FA Cup first round.
  • Latics had in the process of the victory recorded the home side’s first defeat of the season.
  • The visitors went ahead in the 11th minute after some neat interplay. Brad Burrowes flicked the ball to Christian Saydee, whose pass across the box found Jon Mellish, who slotted home.
  • Latics were 2-0 up in the 36th minute. Mellish was tripped 25 yards out and Morgan Fox stepped up to place his free-kick into the top left corner.
  • The hosts tried to get back into the game in the second half but Latics held firm and they added a third goal in the 74th minute when Fox headed home at the near post from Max Power’s corner.

Latics started on the front foot and first chance of the game fell to Burrowes, who fired into the side netting from a tight angle.

Saydee then tested goalkeeper Ted Curd from the edge of the box after eight minutes.

Latics went ahead in the 11th minute when Burrowes flicked the ball to Saydee, whose pass across the box found Mellish, who slotted home.

The hosts briefly threatened on 21 minutes James Carragher made a good block to deny one of the Wood players.

But Latics continued to be the dominant force with both Fraser Murray and Saydee having good chances to increase the lead.

Just after the half-hour mark Tarryn Allarakhia had an opportunity for the hosts but his shot cleared the crossbar.

Latics doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Mellish was tripped 25 yards out and Fox nonchalantly stepped up to place a stunning free-kick into the top left corner. 

The hosts tried to get back into the game at the start of the second half but Latics held firm.

Latics should’ve had a penalty when Connor Barrett was fought down in the box but inexplicably referee Oliver Mackey waved away the appeals.

But soon afterwards Latics added a third goal and effectively put the tie to bed. Fox added his second goal when he rose highest at the near post from Power’s corner to head home.

The visitors should’ve added a fourth when substitute K’Marni Miller cut inside a defender in the box but he could only hit the ball straight at Curd and fellow substitute Charlie Gray fluffed the follow-up.

The hosts had some late half-chances but Latics survived the threat and progressed to the second round of the FA Cup.

Overview

This was a good professional performance by Caldwell’s men against a team who were at the top of the National League, were undefeated and in fine form.

Many people had predicted that Latics would fall at the first round but they had shown their character and were the deserving victors.

Fox scored two high quality goals and Latics had been defensively sound.

Utility player Mellish was playing in an unfamiliar forward position and made a big impact on the day.

Saydee continued his excellent recent form and led the line to good effect.

Returning midfielder Ryan Trevitt got some more minutes under his belt and hopefully he will soon be in position to start a game.

Latics will be in FA Cup second round draw which will take place at 6.45pm on Monday 9th November.

Post-match comments 

Speaking to the media after the game, Caldwell said:

“We gave them the full respect they deserve, but I thought we were very, very good. And if anything, I thought we could have won the game by more with the chances we created on the counter-attack.

“It’s probably the oldest team we can pick. And I thought they’ve done an amazing job of controlling the game, controlling the crowd, and understanding what an FA Cup first round looks like in terms of the atmosphere and the occasion.

“I thought defensively we looked really strong today. They had a lot of possession, but they didn’t create a lot of big chances, if any. I thought we defended our box and our half really well. 

“We have to be competitive, and we have to keep putting results together, and not just take it as one result and then the next game doesn’t matter. Every game matters. 

“Like I said, our attitude today and the professionalism that we came here today. I thought was outstanding. We have to continue that Tuesday and next Saturday.”

Posted in Boreham Wood, FA Cup, Gary Caldwell, Jon Mellish, Morgan Fox | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics and Stags in stalemate – Wigan Athletic 0 Mansfield Town 0

Posted on November 4, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Charlie Gray had his best game for Latics
  • Wigan Athletic and Mansfield Town fought out a goalless draw at the Brick Community Stadium.
  • In the early stages Latics keeper Joe Whitworth made a good save to keep out a low shot from Mansfield’s Rhys Oates.
  • Brad Burrowes had a great chance when clean through on goal, but he could only shoot straight at goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
  • The visitors Michael Smith then headed straight into the hands of Whitworth from six-yards when it appeared easier to score.
  • In an evenly contested second half neither side could get the upper hand and they both had to settle for one point.
  • Latics are in 21st place and the Stags are in 11th place in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell made one change from the victory against Bromley with Scott Hogan replacing Christian Saydee.

In a quiet opening period neither side threatened until in the 19th minute the visitors got in behind the hosts’ defence and Oates struck low and hard but Whitworth was able to make a good save with his legs.

Latics then had an opportunity when Connor Barrett raced forward and into the final third before setting the ball back for Burrowes but the Aston Villa loanee’s strike hit Scott Hogan on its way to goal.

Burrowes was causing plenty of problems for the visitors and when he cut inside on his right foot he went close to scoring but his effort was just wide of the far post.

With half-time approaching Burrowes had a great chance to put his side ahead. A long ball from the back travelled over the head of Deji Oshilaja, but Burrowes strike was straight at Roberts who blocked the effort. 

Moments later Mansfield had the best chance of the half though when Smith was left unmarked in the box but his header was comfortably saved Whitworth in the centre of the goal.

After the break the visitors threatened when George Maris was played in on goal but his strike towards the bottom left corner was well saved by Whitworth.

Reggie Walsh provided another chance for Burrowes but his header was over the crossbar.

Chances became few and far between and neither side could get the upper hand and the points had to be shared.

Next up for Latics is a potential banana skin at runaway National League leaders Boreham Wood in the FA Cup. 

Overview

This was a very evenly fought contest and a draw was probably a fair result.

Mansfield are in the top half of the table and are a difficult side to beat under Nigel Clough. Latics had acquitted themselves well on the night.

Four points from the last two games is certainly an improvement on their previous form.

They must now try to sustain this form in their upcoming games against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup and Crewe in the EFL Trophy.

Unfortunately for Latics Scott Hogan had to be substituted with what appeared to be a bad injury which could keep him out for some time.

Looking positively Charlie Gray had his best game so far for the club and Latics other youngsters Burrowes and Reggie Walsh are showing improvement. Christian Saydee is getting stronger game by game and Ryan Trevitt made a welcome return from the bench for the final ten minutes.

Post-match comments 

Speaking to the media after the game Caldwell said:

“It’s a frustrating night really. I thought it was a tight game, and there’s a team that can go man for man and make it really difficult.

“We played a bit more direct and played into the last line quite a lot, and I thought we caused them problems and created the better chances throughout the game.

“We just couldn’t find that goal that we needed. I felt it was going to be a one-goal game, and if anyone was to get one, they would probably win the game.

“I thought we deserved a bit more. It’s a point, a clean sheet, which is a big positive. I thought we controlled the game much better than we have done, so we will take it and move on.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com

Posted in Charlie Gray, Gary Caldwell, League One, Mansfield Town, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A leap forward for unconvincing Latics – Wigan Athletic 3 Bromley 2

Posted on November 1, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Brad Burrowes scored his first goal for Latics
  • Wigan Athletic moved off the bottom and three places up the League One table after an unconvincing 3-2 victory against Bromley at the Brick Community Stadium.
  • The visitors went ahead after only six minutes when Mitch Pinnock’s long throw found Kamarl Grant, who steered the ball home.
  • The hosts drew level after 18 minutes when Christian Saydee converted from close range after good work by Connor Barrett down the right.
  • K’Marni Miller put Latics ahead on 23 minutes after Reggie Walsh’s shot had been tipped onto the crossbar by Grant Smith.
  • But just when it looked like Latics would go onto extend their lead Bromley drew level at the end of the first half through George Saville.
  • The visitors pressed forward in the second half and it was against the run of play when Brad Burrowes put Latics ahead from close range.
  • The hosts rode their luck as the half progressed and despite some uneasy defending survived to record an important three points.
  • Latics are now in 21st place and Bromley bottom of the League One table.

Gary Caldwell made three changes to the team which lost at Leicester with Max Power, Charlie Gray and Christian Saydee coming in to replace Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Dara Costelloe and  Scott Hogan. 

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors after a corner was met by Adam Jackson, who headed over from eight-yards out. 

It was an early warning and the visitors went ahead soon afterwards when a long throw into the area found Grant unmarked who finished from eight-yards out.

Latics responded quickly and were level through Saydee on 18 minutes after Barrett’s cross found him at the unmarked at the back post.

Saydee almost added another when Miller raced down the left and crossed but Smith somehow saved the former Portsmouth striker’s close range effort.

But moments later Latics had their second as Burrowes crossed into the area for Walsh and his powerful strike was tipped onto the bar by Smith before Miller followed up to head home for his first senior goal for the club.

Would Latics now go on to press home their advantage? The answer was no.

They showed their defensive brittleness once again as Bromley equalised. Latics failed to clear their lines and Saville was allowed the space to pounce 

In the second half the visitors looked dangerous going forward as Latics dropped deeper.

But on a 58 minutes a Latics counterattack resulted in the crucial third goal.

Miller drove a low cross into the area, which found Barrett and he set up Burrowes, who finished past Smith for his first goal for Latics.

Burrowes nearly added a fourth goal when he drove forward into the final third and his strike from the edge of the box produced a good diving save from Smith.

But the visitors continued to enjoy greater possession and pressed for an equaliser in the remaining minutes.

Substitute Victor Adeboyejo, tried his luck from distance but his strike missed the target.

Despite the nervy ending Latics survived and moved off the bottom of the table and in the process dropped Bromley to the bottom.

Overview

Despite Caldwell’s pre-match comments to the contrary this was a must-win for his team. 

A defeat at home against struggling and manager-less Bromley would have been a disaster.

Latics started poorly and conceded an early soft goal. Fortunately they reacted well and got ahead with goals from Saydee and Miller but once again they gifted Bromley an equaliser when they failed to clear their lines.

In the second half the visitors looked dangerous going forward and Latics were a little fortunate to be ahead through Burrowes.

As the half progressed Latics dropped deeper and looked uncomfortable. Against a better team they would’ve conceded.

It was a nervy finish for the fans. If they are to progress they must learn how to manage out games when they’re ahead. 

Latics will need to be much better against Mansfield at the Brick Community Stadium on Tuesday night if they are to achieve back-to-back wins.

Post-match comments 

Speaking to the media after the game, Caldwell said:

“The grey hairs are definitely coming!

“It was a crazy game, where I thought we had moments of some sensational play, moments of madness, moments of pure play, but we’ve won the game, and I think we deserved to.

“I think some of our attacking play in moments was exceptional, and I thought K’Marni (Miller) and Brad (Burrowes) were a constant threat. We scored good goals, and we could have scored more, so we deserved to win the game.

“The reaction was incredible. We spoke about it during the week about not giving the opposition anything, and we did that straight away.

“It shows the mentality of the group though; it didn’t take us out of our stride, and we didn’t try something different.

“We committed to the game plan, and I thought the wingback and 10 combinations down the side were good. Having Connor and Brad on one side, and K’Marni and Reggie on the other was a constant threat.

“We kept playing our game, kept playing through them, and we scored our goals.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com
Posted in Brad Burrowes, Bromley, Christian Saydee, Gary Caldwell, George Saville, Kamarl Grant, K’Marni Miller, League One, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Latics suffer another dispiriting defeat – Leicester City 3 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on October 28, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Another defeat for Gary Caldwell’s team
  • Wigan Athletic were comfortably defeated 3-0 by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
  • Crazily Latics should have been ahead before half-time but they wasted some golden chances, first Scott Hogan’s shot was well saved by Alex McCarthy before Dara Costelloe fired wide of an open goal from six-yards out.
  • The Foxes went ahead on 17 minutes as the Latics’ defensive frailties were once again exposed as Emil Riis converted Will Smallbone’s 17th-minute corner. Caleb Okoli flicked on at the near post and the unmarked Dane forced the ball over the line from very close range.
  • Latics struggled to create any meaningful chances in the second half and the hosts effectively sealed the three points in the 67th minute, with Riis steering home a Luke Thomas cross at the near post.
  • Substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid made it three from a stoppage-time penalty after Reggie Walsh fouled Harry Souttar.
  • Latics remain rock bottom and the Foxes are now in 11th place in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell made three changes from the side that lost at Huddersfield Town, with Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, K’Marni Miller & Scott Hogan replacing Morgan Fox, Jon Mellish and Sonny Perkins. Charlie Gray was suspended after collecting five yellow cards.

In a quiet opening period neither side had created any significant chances.

However, the hosts gradually grew into the game and started to create opportunities.

They went close when Riis’ strike at goal deflected off James Carragher and was well tipped onto the bar by Joe Whitworth.

But the Foxes made the breakthrough on 17 minutes as Latics defenders were once again found wanting. Riis had the easy task of converting Smallbone’s corner. Caleb Okoli flicked on at the near post and the unmarked Dane forced the ball over the line.

Latics should’ve been level moments later but Scott Hogan’s shot from the centre of the box was well saved by Alex McCarthy

A minute later and the visitors had another great chance as Connor Barrett drilled a low cross towards Dara Costelloe at the back post, but the forward put the ball wide from six-yards out. 

There was another quiet opening to the second half but the first chance fell to Latics when Miller got down the left and crossed for Barrett on the edge of the area but the wingback blazed his strike high over the crossbar.

Latics then struggled to create any meaningful chances and Leicester grabbed their second goal when a cross from the left by Thomas was met by Riis at the near post. 

Latics tried to respond but lacked any real cohesion or conviction and the hosts enjoyed the majority of the possession.

Substitute Morgan Fox fired a powerful strike which was well saved by McCarthy but the hosts consolidated the result in added time when Substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid converted from the penalty spot after Reggie Walsh fouled Harry Souttar.

Overview

This was a desperately dispiriting display by Latics which doesn’t augur well for the rest of the season.

The visitors had been their own worst enemies at the King Power Stadium. Leicester played well in patches but sadly Caldwell’s charges exemplified failure throughout the team, they failed to take their chances when presented, they failed to keep possession in midfield and they failed to defend when required. If they carry on like this they will surely be relegated.

Post-match comments

Speaking to the media after the game, Caldwell said:

“I thought the first half was quite even. We created two big chances; they scored from a set-piece, which was really disappointing. But I thought we had the better moments in that first half.

“Moments of the game, again, I feel like we’ve done well. But in both boxes, again, we need to be better.

“We want to win football matches, but it’s not for a lack of effort. I think the players are doing everything. I think we are doing a lot of things well. We still have to improve. But I think the performance level tonight, in moments, we could win a lot of games.

“So, yes, we’re disappointed. Yes, we don’t want to be where we are. But everyone’s fully committed and working hard to make sure we change that.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com
Posted in Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Emil Riis, Gary Caldwell, League One, Leicester City, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Latics continue to toil in vain – Huddersfield Town 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on October 25, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Christian Saydee scored a late consolation goal
  • Wigan Athletic were defeated 2-1 by promotion-chasing Huddersfield Town in the early kick-off at the Accu Stadium.
  • In a tight first half the Terriers created the most chances from set-pieces and went ahead on 34 minutes when Cameron Humphrey’s cross found Ilias Bronkhorst who headed home at the back post.
  • Latics were better in the second half and Jon Mellish headed over from the six-yard box and Charlie Gray curled an effort wide.
  • But Huddersfield effectively sealed the three points in the 80th minute when a mistake in midfield by Brad Burrowes allowed the hosts to break quickly and Derensil Sanchez Fernandes finished past Joe Whitworth.
  • Substitute Christian Saydee produced a spectacular late goal for Latics in added time but it was all too late for the visitors.
  • Latics remain bottom and Huddersfield are top of the League One table.

Gary Caldwell made five changes to the side that lost at Oxford United in midweek, with James Carragher, Jon Mellish, Dara Costelloe, Sonny Perkins, and Reggie Walsh replacing Archie Harris, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Charlie Gray, Scott Hogan, and the suspended Fraser Murray. 

Latics started confidently and passing the ball to good effect. But the hosts soon started to impose themselves and former Latic Ashley Fletcher hitting the bar with an effort off his shoulder. 

Huddersfield were getting far too many set-pieces and from one of those a cross from the left found the head of Sean Roughan at the back post, but he could only head wide of the target. 

Latics did put together a dangerous attack of their own when Connor Barrett drove inside and linked up well with Jon Mellish and the former Carlisle man crossed low and hard across the six-yard box, but no Latics player could get on the end of it.

Following a succession of corners the Terriers went close again from a Roughan header at the back post before Joe Low looked to tap in the rebound, but Joe Whitworth did superbly to smother his effort at very close range. 

The home side did go ahead on 34 minutes when a left-sided cross from Humphreys found Bronkhorst at the back post and he headed powerfully past Whitworth. 

Latics tried to respond when Walsh floated a free-kick to the back post but Carragher’s header could only land on the roof of the net. 

The Terriers continued to create more chances though and Whitworth once again did superbly to deny former Latic loanee Joe Taylor. Taylor’s header looked destined to find the net but the former Crystal Palace keeper tipped the ball onto the bar and away before referee David Rock deemed Taylor to have pushed Burns and awarded a free-kick. 

Early in the second half substitute Gray sent a corner into the area which Carragher nodded towards Mellish for a header that went inches over the bar. 

Latics were growing into the game and Walsh drove forward before finding Gray on the edge of the box. He worked some space for himself and curled an effort wide of the target.

Saydee then managed to hold off his marker before powerfully striking at goal and forcing a good save from Matty Young. 

But with Latics pressing for an equaliser a mistake by Burrowes gifted the ball to the hosts who broke quickly and Fernandes raced clear and finished past Joe Whitworth.

Latics managed to pull a goal back through Saydee in added time when he curled a strike over the top of Young and into the back of the net, but it was just too little too late.

Overview

It was always going to be a tough ask to get something at high-flying Huddersfield but Latics acquitted themselves fairly well at the Accu Stadium without creating too many chances.

Latics had defended well for most of the first half but they had also conceded far too many set-pieces from which Huddersfield had gone close.

They were once again outmuscled in many of the 50/50 challenges and they will need to improve their physicality if they are to survive in League One.

Ironically 20-year-old on-loan midfielder Charlie Gray picked up his fifth yellow card for an innocuous foul and will be suspended for one game.  

The visitors were much better in the second half and had gone close with Mellish and Gray. As they had done against Oxford they had grown into the game and with the introduction of Gray and Saydee they looked more of a threat.

Unfortunately when Latics were pushing for an equaliser a mistake in midfield by Burrowes allowed Huddersfield to break quickly and seal the three points.

Saydee produced another magnificent strike to follow up his goal at Oxford but it was far too late for Latics to make a comeback.

Surely the in-form striker should start at Leicester City if Latics are to stand any chance of getting a result at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

Post-match comments

Speaking to the media after the game, Caldwell said:

“Another defeat that I think we’ve handed to the opposition rather than one they earned. I thought we controlled the game without doing a lot in their half.

“In the first half, I think we could have been better passing forward, with the game plan we wanted to play today – we played with two number nines and tried to play in behind and play forward more than we did.

“I still think that at the end of the first half, we have to come in at 0-0. They didn’t create any big chances.

“We restricted them by sitting off and denying space behind, which we know they want, and you can see in the second half that when the game did open up, in moments, they’re very dangerous.

“Disappointing to come in behind, 0-0 probably would have been fair, but again, we give ourselves a mountain to climb. We had a go, but we’ve spoken about doing that at 0-0 and being a more progressive team at 0-0, rather than 1-0 down.”

Player ratings

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Posted in Christian Saydee, Derensil Sanchez Fernandes, Gary Caldwell, Huddersfield Town, Ilias Bronkhorst, League One, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Murray madness proves costly for Latics – Oxford United 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on October 21, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Christian Saydee produced a brilliant equaliser
  • Wigan Athletic slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium after Fraser Murray’s moment of madness proved to be the difference.
  • Oxford dominated the first half and Latics’ containment strategy came unstuck on 43 minutes when Michal Helik fired the hosts ahead at the second attempt.
  • Substitute Christian Saydee gave Latics a lifeline on 69 minutes with a wonderful strike from 25-yards which swerved into the bottom corner of the net.
  • But three minutes later Latics were reduced to ten-men as Murray made a reckless challenge on Jack Currie and was red carded by the referee.
  • It didn’t take long for Oxford to take advantage as on 76 minutes Siriki Dembele set up Kai Andrews who finished from inside the box into the bottom corner.
  • Aidomo Emakhu was wasteful for the hosts as he fired high over the crossbar on three occasions in the closing minutes.
  • The result leaves Latics at the bottom of the League One table and Oxford United are in seventh place.

Gary Caldwell made two change frrm the team that had defeated Reading at the weekend with Morgan Fox replacing the suspended James Carragher and Fraser Murray replacing Reggie Walsh. 

Latics were pushed back into defence by Oxford for most of the first half and they just couldn’t gain an attacking foothold. 

Joe Whitworth made a good early save at his near post to deny Mark Harris and later Dembele fired over from the edge of the box.

Jensen Weir made an important block in the box on 35 minutes as the hosts pressed for a breakthrough.

Latics had a rare venture upfield on 42 minutes when Archie Harris sent a long throw into the area, and Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen attempted an overhead kick towards goal, but his effort bounced wide. 

Latics’ containment strategy nearly got them to haf-time but on 43 minutes the hosts went ahead after Helik met a Goodrham cross from the left, which was initially saved by Whitworth, but the centre half was quickest to react to the follow-up and fired into the back of the net.

The game continued with a similar pattern at the start of the second half with Oxford in the ascendancy but the introduction of Saydee and Reggie Walsh sparked life into Latics, and that eventually saw them draw level from Saydee’s wonderful strike. Saydee got away from his marker and drove forward before unleashing a swerving strike from 25-yards into the bottom corner to equalise. 

But three minutes later Murray had a rush of blood and made a dangerous challenge on Currie and was red carded by referee Emily Heaslip. 

It didn’t take long for Oxford to take advantage as on 76 minutes Dembele set up Andrews who finished from inside the box into the bottom corner.

Caldwell made some attacking changes to his side after the hosts regained their lead, with Chris Sze and K’Marni Miller introduced, but it was Oxford who kept coming for more, this time through Dembele, who played a quick one-two and tested Whitworth, but the Latics ‘keeper saved well. 

Aidomo Emakhu was wasteful for the hosts as he fired high over the crossbar on three occasions in the closing minutes.

If only Latics had kept 11 men on the pitch they might have held out for an important point but instead they fell to another defeat on the road. 

Overview

Caldwell had clearly decided to adopt a containment strategy in the first half at the Kassam Stadium and it nearly worked until they were breached by Helik’s strike at the end of the half. 

Latics had looked second best for most of the first period, as they were slow to close down and losing most of the 50/50 challenges. It’s easy to see why they have been criticised for being out-muscled and lightweight in comparison to their opponents. 

The visitors did look much better when Saydee and Walsh were introduced on 51 minutes and when they equalised through Saydee’s wonder strike, for a moment they looked like they might go on to get something from the game. But Murray’s foolish red card challenge turned the game back in Oxford’s favour.

The result leaves Latics rooted at the bottom of the table with difficult away fixtures at Huddersfield Town and Leicester City upcoming.

Post-match comments

Speaking to the media after the game, Caldwell said:

“I thought in the first half we were poor, and I thought they were really aggressive on the press, made poor decisions, and we couldn’t get out.

“Especially for the first 20 minutes, and then we got a handle on the game and started to find Charlie [Gray], find Brad [Burrowes], but we didn’t play the game that we wanted in the first half.

“I felt we were too passive; we lost too many duels, and they’re a very good team. That being said, I think we should have come in at 0-0. They didn’t create a lot of chances, and they scored a really poor goal from our point of view from a set piece.

“In the second half, I thought we were excellent. We started to understand how we could get in, we pressed with more aggression, and we won the ball back high up the pitch.

“From there, I think we could have won the game at 1-1 until the decision that went against us, but then I feel a lot of decisions went against us.”

Player ratings courtesy of Whoscored.com

Posted in Christian Saydee, Gary Caldwell, Kai Andrews, League One, Michal Helik, Oxford United, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Latics upset the odds with rare home victory – Wigan Athletic 1 Reading 0

Posted on October 18, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Scott Hogan scored his first goal for Latics
  • Wigan Athletic recorded their second League One victory of the season against in-form Reading at the Brick Community Stadium.
  • Scott Hogan scored his first league goal of the season on 71 minutes after substitute Christian Saydee’s cross was parried by Joel Pereira and the well-travelled striker followed up to seal the three points.
  • The lively Brad Burrowes came close on several occasions to give Latics the lead and at the other end Joe Whitworth made a superb save to deny Jamie Reid.
  • Reggie Walsh should have opened the scoring for Latics just before half-time but he fired high over the crossbar.
  • In the second half Burrowes sent another shot just wide and Whitworth made his second good save to deny Reid.
  • The visitors had a late chance but Whitworth diverted away Josh Stokes’ strike and Latics held out for an important victory.
  • Latics remain bottom of the League One table and the Royals are in seventh place.

Gary Caldwell made two changes from the side that lost at Stevenage, with Archie Harris and Reggie Walsh coming into the starting XI to replace Jon Mellish and the injured Max Power.

Latics started positively, passing the ball with good intent.

They had an early chance when a long ball evaded goalkeeper Pereira who had come out of his box and allowed Connor Barrett to challenge Jeriel Dorsett and send a ball high up in the air and towards Burrowes, but the winger headed over the crossbar.

Jensen Weir then tried his luck from the edge of the area forcing a save from Pereira.

Reading then had a golden opportunity to open the scoring but Whitworth did superbly to keep out Reid who looked destined to score when clean through on goal.

Burrowes threatened again when he produced a low effort towards the bottom left corner and forced a save from Pereira before he later set up Walsh who was free in the area, but the young Chelsea loanee blazed over from a great position.

The visitors threatened to break the deadlock just before the break when a deep cross from the right found the head of Paddy Lane at the back post, but fortunately for Latics he sent the effort over the bar. 

The hosts created an early chance in the second half when Hogan won the ball back and set Burrowes free who drove into the area forcing a diving save from Pereira, with Barrett heading wide on the follow-up. 

Latics deservedly made the breakthrough on 71 minutes when substitute Christian Saydee’s cross was parried by Pereira and Hogan followed up from close range.

Reading had a late chance but Whitworth diverted away Stokes’ strike and Latics held out for an important victory.

Overview

This was a confidence boosting victory for Latics against and in-form Reading who despatched MK Dons 5-1 last week.

Latics were desperately in need of a positive result, as another defeat would’ve pushed the fanbase into an even bigger depression.

The hosts were the better team, enjoying the majority of possession and creating plenty of chances.

But could they convert their chances? On this occasion they managed a goal which turned out to be the difference.

Substitute Saydee had made a difference when he came on and Caldwell should be congratulated for getting his tactics right by leaving Hogan on the pitch.

Chance conversion continues to remain low however, and improving this must be a priority.

Latics young players had passed the ball to good effect and hadn’t allowed Reading to impose their game.

Former Latics manager Leam Richardson looked clearly frustrated with the Royals performance but Latics had deserved their  second win of the season.

Next up for Latics is a trip to eighth placed Oxford United on Tuesday night. Can Latics maintain this level of performance and get a good result at the Kassam Stadium?

Post-match comments

Speaking to the media after the game, Caldwell said:

“I said last week after the defeat it was a good training week. We replicated that this week and that’s what we have to keep doing.  We have to keep working hard on the training pitch, and we will get the rewards on a match day if we do that. I thought we deserved to win the game.

“Some of our attacking play, creating good chances, and again, you have to be more ruthless in those moments. In the last ten minutes of the first half, I thought we stepped off the game a little bit and looked a bit leggy. But credit to the players in the second half. They dug in.

“I keep saying that to the players. The potential they have is huge, but in football you have to turn it into goals to make it count. Too often we miss the last pass, or we miss the chance to put it in the net, and that lets the opposition off the hook. I thought the first half hour we should have been two goals up, and then the game is far easier. But that will come.

“[Reading] are a very, very good squad, a very good team that is difficult to play against, difficult to beat, difficult to keep a clean sheet against. They just scored five away from home in their last game. We can compete with the very best teams. In saying all that, we can still get a lot better.

“Definitely things we can still improve, but we can improve that from a place of confidence and belief and try and build on this result.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com

Posted in Gary Caldwell, League One, Reading, Scott Hogan, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Review – Fanzine: The Story of Football’s Alternative Press by Daniel Gray

Posted on October 14, 2026 by ianhaspinall

Daniel Gray’s new book explores the fanzine phenomenon during the peak years of the 1980s and 1990s. It offers an alternative history of football during a troubled and transformational time as witnessed by supporters.

Gray neatly summarises the birth of fanzines. “They sprang from a time of despotic club chairmen and intransigent administrators of the game who cared not a fig for the supporters and the derelict conditions in which they watched football. During that era, supporters were policed as if they were all potential terrorists. Stadiums that fans said were death traps proved to be so.”

For many, by the mid-1980s the simple act of going to the match was often an unpleasant undertaking, yet their devotion to football meant they still went along to the games.

It was a time of dreadful treatment of football fans by the Police. When violent incidents occurred, what happened next worked to a standard formula. News outlets would often embellish and hyperbolise events. Politicians would then scramble to be the most hardline in their responses. Journalists fanned the flames and the police felt emboldened in their draconian attitudes to matchdays. 

Fanzines came from a belief that football fans deserved something better than the negative national media. Graham Ennis of Everton fanzine ‘When Skies Are Grey’ recalls the massive surge in Fanzines. “Before, the fan’s voice was completely unheard and there was no outlet for it whatsoever. It seems really odd in today’s game where fans’ voices are absolutely everywhere.”

Nationally, the Guardian’s Stephen Brierley spoke for many when, in February 1989, he described fanzines as ‘one of the delights of soccer in the past few years, glorious pulsating beacons of irreverence, wit and real information’.

Later that year in the Independent, Patrick Barclay gave deep praise for the way fanzines had eloquently struck back against the linking of football with hooliganism and inspired a vast improvement in literature about the game.

In 1988/89 the Inflatables craze showed the public that that fun-loving football fans were not hooligans. “Some supporters chose objects that pertained to their clubs or local areas – West Ham United fans brought hammers, Brentford bees, Hull City tigers, Norwich canaries and Grimsby fish. The Bury club shop stocked 3000 inflatable black puddings while followers of Lancastrian neighbours Wigan Athletic waved baked bean tins, a nod to the local Heinz factory.”

The new fanzines were especially adept at co-ordinating protest against the schemes of club owners. The threat of club mergers was rife at the time, and some fanzines ran successful campaigns against club mergers.

“Even if you’re on the dole,” declared an encouraging ‘Off the Ball’ article, “you can get a typewriter for a couple of quid a week through a Mail Order catalogue.’’ Other requirements for starting a fanzine included a stapler, glue and a “stencil (less than a quid) for headlines” although “about £10 worth of Letraset gives you the opportunity to make far more striking and varied” versions. It should be remembered, though, continued the piece, that “what the mag says is more important than how it looks.’’

Fanzines gave people an opportunity to write for the first time. Jonny Owen now an actor, producer and radio presenter said, “…the utter thrill of seeing one’s own words in print across a fanzine’s pages was known to thousands. This democracy was simply unknown in the traditional media.”

Throughout the book Gray is nostalgic for the simpler days when xeroxed pages and irreverent humour were the norm before the technological change that brought social media and all that entails.

He successfully takes us back to the heyday of fanzines; recounting the major events of the period and achieves this with some style and wit. He has an affinity with the alternative and independent and he revels in stories about the different fanzines.

‘Fanzine’ is a superb account of what we were thinking, wearing, eating and saying 40 years ago, it is a people’s history of football, and of Britain.

Fanzine: The Story of Football’s Alternative Press by Daniel Gray. Published by Bloomsbury Sport. Price £19.00.

A version of this review first appeared in the November/December 2026 edition of Late Tackle magazine.

Posted in Daniel Gray, Fanzines, Football Book Reviews, Late Tackle magazine, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Latics sink deeper into trouble – Stevenage 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on October 11, 2026 by ianhaspinall
Another frustrating afternoon for Gary Caldwell
  • Wigan Athletic remain rooted to the bottom of the League One table after they suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stevenage at the SPORTA Arena. 
  • After a tight 45 minutes with very few chances there was a dramatic end to the half when Brad Burrowes created a great goalscoring opportunity but Connor Barrett fired just wide.
  • Jensen Weir then volleyed high over the crossbar before former Latic Matt Smith gave the visitors a scare but he was unable to finish past Joe Whitworth. 
  • Stevenage broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when a Josh Magennis ball to the back post found the head of Wanya Marcal, who headed across goal and into the net off the far post.
  • Latics huffed and puffed but struggled to create any clear-cut chances and Stevenage ran out comfortable winners.
  • Latics remain bottom of the League One table and Stevenage are in ninth place.

Gary Caldwell made three changes from the EFL Trophy win against Blackpool with Joe Whitworth, Charlie Gray and Jon Mellish replacing Joe Walsh, Archie Harris and Dara Costelloe. 

Latics enjoyed plenty of early possession and produced their first shot on target when a ball into the feet of Scott Hogan saw him set Burrowes for a first-time effort at goal, but Tommy Setford held well. 

The hosts created an opportunity of their own when a ball floated into the feet of Olly Sanderson, was taken nicely on the half-turn for a tame effort at goal, but into Whitworth’s hands.

There was a dramatic end to a lacklustre first half as Burrowes did superbly to beat his man on the left, drive inside and switch play out to the right to Barrett who struck towards the far corner but just wide of the post. 

Weir then volleyed high over the crossbar on 46 mins before former Latic Smith gave the visitors a scare but was unable to finish past Whitworth in added time at the end of the half.

In the second half the hosts Dan Kemp tried his luck sending an effort towards Whitworth’s near post and wide after cutting in from the right. 

However, the opening goal came in the 60th minute when a Magennis cross to the back post found the head of Marcal, who headed across goal and in off the far post.

Late on Whitworth had to make a brilliant point-blank save to prevent a second Stevenage goal. 

Latics huffed and puffed but struggled to create any clear-cut chances and Stevenage ran out comfortable winners.

Overview

Stevenage have a good home record but Latics gave them an easy afternoon and rarely looked like scoring at the SPORTA Arena.

Despite the long break due to the internationals the Latics players showed no improvement from their previous poor displays.

It was yet another desperately poor performance which doesn’t augur well for the future.

Caldwell had Latics’ players trying boxing in training earlier this week but maybe trying to play football would’ve been a better option.

Six defeats in eight games leaves Latics in deep in trouble rooted to the bottom of the table.

The team continues to struggle in front of goal and unless this changes very soon you have to wonder if this team is capable of pulling away from the bottom of the table.

Post-match comments

Afterwards speaking to the media Caldwell said:

“[It was a] frustrating game again, a game where I think we started extremely well in terms of our personality, how we wanted to control the game, limited them to very little.

“Probably the same old story in terms of final third play: more incisive, more quality, more chances. We need to put that ball in the net and if you can’t win, don’t lose. It’s happened a few times already this season, and we obviously still have to address it and get better at it.

“We can’t hide away from the fact that we haven’t won enough games. I think what we have to say is [that] some of what we’re doing is good, but some of what we’re doing has to be better, and we have to keep working on that and improving on that.

“It’s not the position we want to be in. As I said to the players, we can’t start blaming each other and looking at each other. We have to stay together as a group; we have to individually look at ourselves and [ask], where are we going to get better? How are we going to improve next week? And work hard to try and do that and win at home against Reading.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com
Posted in Gary Caldwell, League One, Wanya Marcal | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments