Ali Al-Habsi returned to the team to keep a clean sheet

Wigan managed a welcome point at Portman Road in a dour goalless draw on Saturday. Chances were at a premium as both teams struggled to make an impact.

Jay Tabb had the best opportunity for the Tractor Boys in the first half, but he fired over the crossbar when put through by Tyrone Mings.

James Perch should have done better when he failed to get on the end of a Don Cowie corner and David McGoldrick might have given Town all three points but he headed straight at Ali Al Habsi from a good position.

Malky Mackay made three changes to the starting line up with Ali Al-Habsi replacing Scott Carson in-goal and Don Cowie and Marc-Antoine Fortune replacing the injured Chris McCann and the departed Callum McManaman. New signings striker Billy Mckay and defender Jason Pearce took their places on the bench.

Wigan made an early opening when James Perch crossed from the right hand side and Fortune got in a header but the ball looped over the crossbar.

Ipswich responded and from a similar type of cross Jay Tabb’s header was well wide. Tabb then had another opportunity but he failed to hit the target from about eight yards out.

As the half wore on neither side was able to gain the ascendancy as both lacked creativity and failed to string many passes together.

The second half was not much better as both teams struggled to build any momentum.

Latics did have a couple of half chances when Emyr Huws delivered a terrific cross into the box that Waghorn just failed to reach, Fortune pulled a shot wide after Huws had sent him clear, then Perch failed to connect with Cowie’s corner.

Ipswich had their own opportunities when McGoldrick headed straight at Al Habsi from 12 yards out and substitute Freddie Sears brought a better save from Al Habsi after McGoldrick had pulled the ball back from the by line.

Both teams huffed and puffed until the final whistle but in reality neither team deserved to take the three points.

Latics have had a very difficult week with so many top players leaving the club so Malky Mackay will be very pleased to secure a point away from home against promotion chasing Ipswich.

Wigan certainly showed some fight and determination yesterday,  but the question is: Do they now have the quality to survive in the Championship?

The club is going through a huge transformation with stars Roger Espinoza, Oriol Riera, James Tavernier, Ben Watson, Shaun Maloney, Adam Forshaw, Callum McManaman and Ivan Ramis having left the club in the space of a few weeks.

New signings have been relatively few with Liam Ridgewell and Chris Herd joining on loan and Jason Pearce and Billy Mckay signing permanently.

Latics’ rebuilding process is likely to continue before Monday’s transfer deadline with a couple more incomings and more departures likely.