Malky Mackay still struggling for an answer

Wigan plunged to new depths on Wednesday night as Nottingham Forest handed out a humiliating defeat. In a season that goes from bad to worse this was a new low point.

The nature of the 3-0 defeat at the City Ground suggests that Latics relegation to League One is only a matter of time.

Forest are a good mid-table team but Latics were thoroughly outclassed and the score line could easily have been so many more.

The glimmers of hope from the Bournemouth performance were soon extinguished, as Latics looked second best all over the pitch. The players now seem to have lost belief and there was a noticeable lack of organisation and any cohesion had disappeared.

Malky Mackay’s team selection and tactics have got to be called into question. The selection of former Cardiff City players Andrew Taylor and Don Cowie is baffling. Both players have struggled for any kind of form this season but the manager persists with playing them.

New loan signing Chris Herd was thrown into midfield against Forest but looked out of his depth against Championship opposition. Maybe not surprising given his track record of fitness problems and lack of game time.

One of Latics few bright spots on the night at Forest, Kim Bo-Kyung was strangely withdrawn by Mackay early in the second half.

The manager’s cautious approach is not providing any benefits. His tactics of playing a lone striker is clearly not working, and with wins vital for any chance of survival, playing for a draw is not an option.

New striker Billy Mckay is the top scorer in the history of the Scottish Premiership but was only introduced as a substitute at Forest when it was too late the affect the result.

On loan Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo looks an exciting prospect who is capable of turning a game in his team’s favour, but he was only introduced as a substitute when Latics were already two nil down at Forest.

Mackay has brought eight new players to the club and shipped out 12 players. The quality of those arriving is already being called into question and those on short-term loan deals are most likely to return to their host clubs.

Mackay has a pitiful record of only one win during his 14 games in charge. We are now eight points adrift of safety with only 16 games remaining.

The manager has had little, if any, positive impact since taking over and despite a massive turnover in players during the transfer window the situation is getting worse.

Is it time for drastic action in a last gasp attempt to stave off relegation or should we accept relegation and try to rebuild in the League One with Mackay in charge?

Clubs such as Southampton and Wolves have successfully managed to regroup and make a quick return to the Championship, but others such as Sheffield United have floundered.

Dave Whelan has a big decision to make. Is Malky Mackay the right man to lead the club going forward?

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 13th February 2015.