Paul Cook needs to address the poor form

Wigan Athletic turned in their worst performance of the season as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Brentford at the DW Stadium.

Latics were behind after only five minutes as some dreadful defending allowed Bryan Mbeumo to stab the ball home from close range.

Kamohelo Mokotjo increased the Bees advantage midway through the second half as he lashed the ball home from the edge of the box.

When Cedric Kipre was dismissed for a second bookable offence on 73 minutes matters went from bad to worse as first Josh Dasilva fired into the top corner of the net for the third before Joe Gelhardt was knocked unconscious and Latics ended the game with nine men.

Brentford had Julian Jeanvier sent off after the Gelhardt incident following a clash with Joe Williams but it was Latics who ended the game in complete disarray.

Paul Cook made one change to the team defeated 2-1 by Swansea last time out with Michael Jacobs replacing Gavin Massey.

Brentford started briskly and Latics were on the back foot almost immediately.

The Bees were ahead after only five minutes with the Latics defence all at sea.

Christian Norgaard was allowed to head towards goal unchallenged in the area, David Marshall spilled his header and Mbeumo scored from close range despite the best efforts of Kipre.

The expected response from Latics failed to materialise as they struggled to create any clear cut chances.

Kieffer Moore did fire wide of the target from 30 yards but it was a rare foray.

Brentford 1-0 ahead at the interval and Latics would have to improve significantly if they were to get back in the game.

Cook introduced Joe Gelhardt and Josh Windass soon after the interval as he attempted to get Latics back in the game but it was not long before Mokotjo doubled the lead for the visitors from the edge of the area.

Matters soon got worse as Kipre was sent off for a second bookable offence.

On 83 minutes an impressive Brentford sealed the three points with an emphatic finish from 25 yards by Dasilva.

To compound Latics misery young England starlet Gelhardt was knocked unconscious and had to be stretchered off in added time.

Following the initial incident, Joe Williams and Julian Jeanvier were involved in an altercation and the Latics midfielder was booked and the Brentford defender sent off.

But it was far too late to have any impact on the final outcome and Latics slipped to another defeat and closer to the relegation zone.

Despite some improved recent performances this was a sorry display by Cook’s men. Shambolic defending, poor decision-making in midfield and toothless in attack.

The players should take a good look at themselves after such a dispiriting display but the manager also needs to rethink his strategies.

After such an impressive appearance last week Gelhardt should’ve started against Brentford but Cook persisted with the out of form Michael Jacobs.

Moore is also struggling to make an impact and is low on confidence so it could be time to give him a break and try something new.

Without Charlie Mulgrew, the defence lacks organisation and his calming presence was sorely missed yesterday. Hopefully he will return after the international break.