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

Wigan Athletic were left to rue their missed chances as they were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. The Hatters went ahead after only eight minutes when George Saville converted a low cross by Liam Walsh. Latics … Continue reading →

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

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

Posted on August 10, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Ryan Lowe’s Latics slipped to their first defeat in 10 games when they lost 2-0 to Leyton Orient at the BetWright Stadium (Brisbane Road). Latics had an early setback when James Carragher went off injured in the third minute and … Continue reading →

Posted in Josh Koroma, League One, Leyton Orient, 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

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 … 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

A lacklustre Wigan Athletic grabbed a very late equaliser at Burton Albion to extend their unbeaten run to seven games under Head Coach Ryan Lowe. Burton needed a point to guarantee their League One status for next season and in … 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 extended their unbeaten run to six games after a 1-1 draw with Blackpool at the Brick Community Stadium. The hosts had the better of the first half and went ahead in bizarre fashion when Jon Mellish’s volleyed cross deceived … Continue reading →

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

Latics edge out the Millers to secure safety – Wigan Athletic 1 Rotherham United 0

Posted on April 22, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic defeated Rotherham United 1-0 at the Brick Community Stadium and secured their League One safety with three games left to play. Latics threatened on 35 minutes through Asamoah Junior but his effort was saved by the Millers goalkeeper … Continue reading →

Posted in James Carragher, League One, Rotherham United, Ryan Lowe | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Latics nearly home and dry after Lowe’s first win in charge – Shrewsbury Town 0 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on April 19, 2025 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic won their first game under Head Coach Ryan Lowe, against relegated Shrewsbury Town, which should effectively secure their League One status. Latics dominated the first half and went close when Asamoah Junior drove into the box and fired … Continue reading →

Posted in Dale Taylor, League One, Ryan Lowe | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments