Author Archives: ianhaspinall

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About ianhaspinall

Communications specialist, Wigan Athletic fan & blogger, interested in music, arts & culture.

Review – I Can’t Stop Thinking About VAR by Daisy Christodoulou

Posted on August 21, 2025 by ianhaspinall

This thought-provoking book by Daisy Christodoulou strongly challenges the view that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is the way forward for football.  Many people believe that since it’s introduction in 2019 VAR has been a disaster: players hate it, pundits … Continue reading →

Posted in Daisy Christodoulou, Football Book Reviews, Late Tackle magazine, VAR, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Latics left to rue missed chances – Luton Town 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on August 20, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Latics manager Ryan Lowe surprisingly made five changes from the starting line-up that had defeated Peterborough United at the weekend. Luke Robinson, Baba Adeeko, Tobias Brenan, Jensen Weir, and Paul Mullin replaced Tyrese Francois, Joe Hungbo, Fraser Murray, Dara Costelloe … Continue reading →

Posted in George Saville, League One, Luton Town, Ryan Lowe, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tics too good for Posh – Wigan Athletic 2 Peterborough United 0

Posted on August 17, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Ryan Lowe made four changes from Latics’ last league game at Leyton Orient. New signing Morgan Fox made his debut, Will Aimson returned from suspension and loan signings Ryan Trevitt and Callum Wright started in midfield. The hosts got off … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Saydee, Jason Kerr, League One, Peterborough United, Ryan Lowe | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics struggle after early setbacks – Leyton Orient 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on August 10, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Ryan Lowe named an unchanged starting XI against the O’s following the victory against Northampton Town last Saturday. Latics had an early setback when James Carragher went off injured in the third minute and was replaced by Jon Mellish and … Continue reading →

Posted in Josh Koroma, League One, Leyton Orient, Ryan Lowe | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Lowe’s Latics off to a flyer – Wigan Athletic 3 Northampton Town 1

Posted on August 3, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Manager Ryan Lowe named an unfamiliar starting XI for the opening League One fixture with many new faces making their debuts. Murray came in at wing-back for his debut with Academy graduate Tobias Brenan in midfield. There were also debuts … Continue reading →

Posted in Fraser Murray, Jensen Weir, League One, Michael Forbes, Northampton Town, Ryan Lowe | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Summer Reading 2025 – The Best Football Books

Posted on June 30, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Here’s the best football books of recent months for reading on the beach or by the pool. Kick off the summer with one of these six great reads. Review – Brian Moore Saved Our Sundays – The Golden Age of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adam Hurrey, Chris Evans, David Peace, Football Book Reviews, Gary Lineker, Geoff Hurst, Matt Eastley, Miguel Delaney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review – Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon by Chris Evans

Posted on June 10, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Chris Evans’s biography of Gary Lineker provides a fascinating insight into one of football’s most popular characters. Lineker led the itinerant life of a footballer with Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Spurs, Grampus Eight and England before becoming the accomplished presenter … Continue reading →

Posted in Chris Evans, Football Book Reviews, Gary Lineker, Late Tackle magazine, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lowe’s Latics are unbeaten and unbowed in last eight games – Northampton Town 1 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on May 4, 2025 by ianhaspinall

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Dale Taylor, League One, Northampton Town, Ryan Lowe, Tariqe Fosu, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lacklustre Latics are lucky to come away with a point – Burton Albion 1 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on April 30, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Latics Head Coach Lowe made two changes to the team which had drawn with Blackpool at the weekend with Toby Sibbick and Jonny Smith replacing captain Jason Kerr and Luke Robinson. James Carragher was given the opportunity to captain the … Continue reading →

Posted in Burton Albion, League One, Ronan Darcy, Rumarn Burrell, Ryan Lowe, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Latics’ draw with the Seasiders shows there’s plenty of room for improvement – Wigan Athletic 1 Blackpool 1

Posted on April 27, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Latics Head Coach Ryan Lowe named an unchanged lineup for the fourth consecutive match.  Latics went ahead after only three minutes as a ball over the top found Mellish who volleyed the ball towards goal from a tight angle which … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool, Jon Mellish, League One, Lee Evans, Ryan Lowe | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments