• Wigan Athletic moved into mid-table as they comfortably defeated League Two bound Rotherham United 3-0 at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics went ahead after 15 minutes when a well-worked move ended with captain Jason Kerr heading home from close range.
• The hosts doubled their lead on 59 minutes when the prolific striker Joe Taylor converted Matt Smith’s through ball.
• The visitors offered very little attacking threat and the hosts increased their advantage on 63 minutes when Callum Wright’s strike took a big deflection and looped over the Rotherham keeper Ted Cann.
• This was Latics third straight win and the result has moved them eight points above the relegation zone with just three games remaining.
• Latics are now in 13th place and the relegated Millers are in 22nd place. 

Gary Caldwell named an unchanged side for the fourth consecutive match.

Latics started brightly and they created a couple of early chances. Following a corner James Carragher flicked on at the near post, but the Rotherham defence managed to clear.

Soon afterwards Fraser Murray got past his marker down the left and cut the ball back to Dara Costelloe on the edge of the six-yard box whose first-time shot was tipped around the post by Ted Cann.

Following a well-worked move Latics went ahead on 15 minutes.

Smith set a ball back to Raphael who crossed towards the back post for Carragher to nod back across goal to Kerr who headed home from close range.

Rotherham briefly threatened just before half-time but Sam Nombe fired high and wide from the edge of the area. 

Latics started the second half in strong fashion and they doubled their advantage on 63 minutes when Smith played a superb through ball to Taylor, who produced a first time finish past the on-rushing Cann.

Four minutes later Wright added a third with his third goal in three games.

The midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the area and his strike deflected off a defender before looping over Cann and into the net.

Rotherham had offered very little throughout and Latics had run out comfortable winners.

Overview

After three consecutive victories Latics are virtually safe from relegation with three games remaining.

Gary Caldwell has made such a difference since he took over as Manager. The team was in dire straights and looked destined for relegation under Ryan Lowe. Those same players are now performing to a high level and producing promotion level performances under Caldwell’s direction.

Admittedly Caldwell has been lucky to have the services of one of the best strikers in League One. Since joining in January on loan Joe Taylor has scored a remarkable 11 goals.

But the manager has galvanised the whole club and given the players the confidence to be a force in the division.

If he is backed with some sensible resources in the summer the signs are very promising for next season.

Post-match comments

Speaking afterwards to the media, Caldwell said,

“He was really delighted to win back-to-back for the first time all season and then have a Tuesday night game.

It was important the players recovered and then came out again with a winning mentality. A ruthless mentality.

I thought they showed that from the start of the game. We were aggressive, we scored a brilliant goal from a second phase set-piece, we could’ve had more in that first half.

Second half I think we went up a level. I thought some of our play was as as good as it’s been since I’ve been back in terms of our passing through lines, scored two goals, could’ve scored more, clean sheet, so really happy.”

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