Latics go close at the Sixfields Stadium

• Wigan Athletic ended the League One season with a 1-1 draw at Northampton Town and extended their unbeaten run to eight games under Head Coach Ryan Lowe.
• In a scrappy first half the Cobblers went ahead following a breakaway from a Latics corner with Tariqe Fosu finishing well on 33 minutes.
• The visitors were much better in the second half and created some good chances with Mitch Pinnock clearing a Jason Kerr header off the line.
• In added time Latics deservedly equalised when Dale Taylor headed home James Carragher’s deflected cross.
• In the last moments of the match Latics defender Will Aimson saw red for a dangerous challenge on substitute goalkeeper James Dadge.
• Latics finished the season in 15th and the Cobblers in 19th place in the League One table.

Ryan Lowe made three changes from Tuesday’s draw at Burton Albion, with captain Jason Kerr, Luke Robinson, and Ronan Darcy replacing Toby Sibbick, Jon Mellish, and Owen Dale in the starting line-up.

Sam Tickle came up with a brilliant save inside the first five minutes after a free kick from the right was deflected off Luke Robinson, the Latics keeper did magnificently to get a hand to the ball and make the save.

At the other end, good play from Darcy and Robinson saw a chance for Jonny Smith at the back post, but his shot was saved by comfortably Lee Burge.

Latics were building pressure but they were hit on the counter attack following their own corner. Nesta Guinness-Walker broke forward quickly and played in Fosu who cut inside and finished well into the far corner.

The visitors looked off the pace in the first half and had struggled to create many chances. They went into the half-time break needing a big improvement in the second half.

Lowe sent his team out early for the second half, no doubt after an appropriate ear bashing.

Taylor was continuing his fine form and he broke quickly beating three players before playing through Asamoah Junior, but he was flagged for offside.

Kerr then had a header cleared off the line following another Latics corner as Pinnock diverted the ball over the crossbar.

Taylor then flicked a near post free-kick wide before he then fed Asamoah Junior, whose effort nearly deflected in.

Lowe introduced nineteen year old K’Marni Miller from the bench in place of Robinson and his dangerous cross from the left crashed against the outside of the post.

After a couple of very long stoppages for injuries the game went into 11 minutes of added time.

Latics pushed forward for a late equaliser and they deservedly drew level when Taylor grabbed his 11th goal of the season, heading Carragher’s deflected cross into the net in the sixth minute of added time.

As they pressed for a late winner Aimson was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge on substitute goalkeeper Dadge and the points had to be shared.

Overview

Latics were out fought in the first half and were second best in many challenges against the combative Cobblers.

They were badly caught out from their own corner kick and Lowe was rightly critical of his players with Jensen Weir withdrawn soon after the goal. But after a dressing down by Lowe at half-time Latics were much better in the second half.

They pushed forward and deservedly equalised after some sustained pressure and might even have gone on to win the game in added time.

Defensively Latics have a top goalkeeper in Tickle and excellent defenders in Kerr, Aimson and Carragher but they are clearly lacking quality in midfield and attacking areas apart from the impressive Nottingham Forest loanee Taylor.

Next season Matt Smith and Tyrese Francois should return from injury to help to improve the midfield, but unfortunately Tickle is likely to be transferred in the close season and Taylor is likely to return to Nottingham Forest.

It’s pretty obvious to everyone that Latics need to strengthen the squad in all areas in the summer but attacking players are a clear priority after a very disappointing goal tally this season.

Credit should be given to Lowe for making such a positive impact since he took over from Shaun Maloney, but the really hard work to rebuild the squad starts now.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards Ryan Lowe said,

“The first half wasn’t acceptable, and I said that to the group.”

“That’s not what we want. I know Northampton were making it tough for us, but we can’t get done from our corner.

“To get countered on like that is a criminal offence in my eyes so we were disappointed with that. 

“We said them to at half-time that we have to get the ball down and play. I thought we were the better team in trying to get the ball down and play.

“Again, we fought right till the end and that’s what I want. I need more calmness from certain players – I’ve given people opportunities to showcase what they’ve got.

“They’ve got to be a lot of hard work. We know that – there’s going to be a recruitment turnover with players coming into the building. 

“We have gone eight unbeaten – should we have had a few more wins? I think we should have.

“The lads fought hard to get a point and get a goal back. 

“We’ve got to make these fans happy. The Tics fans are travelling up and down the country, and they are paying for coaches, travel and tickets.

“It’s not cheap – we’ve got to send the fans home happy and that’s one of my remits. We’ll use the fans as motivation and a rallying cry because if they can get behind us and be with us, we’ll win more games of football.

“I’m here to bring back the good times. We’ve got to do our bit on the pitch because they are definitely doing their bit off it.”

Player ratings

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