Let's Hang On

Another frustrating afternoon for the Latics – Wigan Athletic 2 Sunderland 3

Posted on January 20, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Shaun Maloney – outstanding performance

A spirited second half fight back was not enough to rescue the points as Wigan went down 2-3 at home to Sunderland. The Latics had taken an early lead through a David Vaughan own goal but two goals by Steven Fletcher and a harshly awarded penalty, converted by Craig Gardner, had given the Black Cats a 3-1 half time lead before Wigan rallied in the second half and pulled a goal back by Angelo Henriquez.

Wigan had started the game brightly and were moving the ball around to good effect, but the opening goal was a somewhat fortuitous affair when it came on 4 minutes. After good work by Jordi Gomez, Jean Beausejour played in Ronnie Stam and the Dutchman’s side footed shot took a deflection off David Vaughan and flew into the Sunderland net.

It was not long before Sunderland drew level on 17 minutes but it was in controversial circumstances. The Black Cats were awarded a free kick near the Wigan penalty area following a foul by Emmerson Boyce. Sebastian Larsson’s free kick hit James McCarthy on the arm as he protected his face in the defensive wall and referee Anthony Taylor harshly awarded a penalty. Craig Gardner converted the penalty, sending Al Habsi the wrong way.

But things got much worse for Wigan three minutes later when a fine cross by Alfred N’Diaye found Fletcher and although his first header was initially saved by Al Habsi, the Scotsman followed up to score.

Sunderland were now in the ascendancy and Wigan struggled to get back on terms. The visitors surged forward and they seemed to be the more competitive in the tackle with new signing Alfred N’Diaye having an impressive debut in midfield.

The away team’s dominance was rewarded on 42 minutes after some slack Wigan defending. From a long ball into the Wigan area Fletcher glanced the ball to Johnson, with the defenders standing off, he was able to return the ball to the prolific £12m striker who volleyed past Al Habsi.

The 3-1 half time deficit was a huge set back for the home team but it was not an insurmountable score if they could get their game back on track.

Roberto Martinez reinforced the midfield with Roger Espinoza replacing the disappointing Stam at half time and Wigan immediately started the second half as the more positive outfit.

Shaun Maloney produced an excellent shot on the turn and looked to have pulled a goal back but the excellent Simon Mignolet somehow managed to make a one handed save.

Maloney has just signed a new 2 1/2 year contract and was having an outstanding game, being central to Wigan’s best attacking moves. The diminutive Scot produced a superb left foot drive which looked destined for the top corner but swerved inches wide of the angle of post and cross-bar.

Wigan were dominating possession and creating good opportunities but Stephane Sessegnon had a great chance to finish off the game when a quick break gave a clear run in on goal but the Beninese international dallied too long and the opportunity was wasted.

Wigan’s onslaught continued and they twice hit the woodwork, the first when Fletcher diverted a goal bound free kick by Jordi Gomez onto his own cross-bar and then when Maloney curled a twenty-five yard free kick against Mignolet’s left hand post.

The home team finally breached the Sunderland goal on 79 minutes when Substitute Henriquez headed a goal back after more fine work by Maloney. Soon afterwards Maynor Figueroa crashed a pile driver inches wide of the post.

Wigan continued to lay siege to the Black Cats goal, Martinez throwing on attackers at the expense of defenders, with only Figueroa and Caldwell operating as defenders in the latter part of the second half. But it was all to no avail as Sunderland hung on for the three points.

The result was enough to push Sunderland up to 11th in the table but Wigan have now slumped to 19th and are in the middle of another relegation dog fight.

The doom and gloom merchants will no doubt be out in force on social media and other forums but Wigan showed plenty of skill, character and spirit in the second half to give the fans optimism that we can once again escape the drop.

Posted in Craig Gardner, Shaun Maloney, Steven Fletcher, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic | Tagged craig gardner, Shaun Maloney, Steven Fletcher, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic | 3 Comments

Wigan end Bournemouth’s unbeaten run and progress to the FA Cup 4th Round – Bournemouth 0 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on January 15, 2013 by ianhaspinall

A superb 17th minute strike by Mauro Boselli was the difference between the two sides as Wigan ended Bournemouth’s 18 game unbeaten run in all competitions. Wigan will now face non-league Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup fourth round on 26th January at Moss Rose.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez once again decided to utilise his squad players in this FA Cup third round replay at the Goldsands Stadium (Dean Court). The manager gave full debuts to new signings Angelo Henriquez and Roger Espinoza with only Emmerson Boyce and Maynor Figueroa remaining from the starting line up at Fulham.

In freezing cold conditions Bournemouth started the better of the two sides with Simon Francis firing over the Wigan bar. But it was Wigan who took the lead on 17 minutes after a Bournemouth mistake.

The £6.5m Argentinian striker Boselli has struggled since signing for Wigan but he fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner after racing on to a mistake by Harry Arter.

Roger Espinoza was making a distinguished debut and Wigan looked defensively solid with Boyce, Figueroa and Roman Golobart all putting in good performances but as the half drew to a close the Cherries pressed hard for an equaliser with Euan O’Kane rattling the angle of post and crossbar.

Ali Al Habsi replaced veteran keeper Mike Politt at half time and Bournemouth continued their pressure on the Latics goal.

Harry Arter had a good shot saved by Al Habsi and Golobart made an important block in the penalty area. However Wigan could have increased their lead but Shwan Jalal made a top-drawer save to keep out Boselli’s header.

In a frenetic last few minutes Marc Pugh went close to levelling when his deflected effort came back off the crossbar.

Substitute Nouha Dicko then had a glorious opportunity after good work by Espinoza but the French winger put his effort wide of the post.

Substitute Matt Tubbs then saw his strike through a crowd of players bounce wide of the post before the striker’s free-kick from 25 yards was acrobatically pushed away by Al Habsi.

There was just time for a Wigan breakaway, but with the visitors players outnumbering their opponents, Henriquez unfortunately strayed offside and the chance came to nothing.

Wigan had just edged out their Division One opponents in a hard fought encounter and Eddie Howe’s team deserve great credit for the way they pushed their Premier League opponents right up until the 94th minute.

Wigan fans will now be looking forward to a rare foray into the FA Cup fourth round and a trip to former 1970’s non-league rivals Macclesfield Town.

Posted in Bournemouth, FA Cup, Mauro Boselli, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Bournemouth, FA Cup, Mauro Boselli, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Brilliant last ditch defending secures a crucial point for Wigan – Fulham 1 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on January 12, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Maynor Figueroa – crucial last-ditch clearance

A brilliant 96th minute goal line clearance by Maynor Figueroa secured an important draw for the Latics at Craven Cottage. Fulham had taken the lead after a stunning 25-yard strike by Giorgios Karagounis and an equally impressive strike by Franco Di Santo had drawn the sides level, but it was Figueroa’s injury time heroics that ensured the sides shared the points.

Fulham had Mark Schwarzer, Damien Duff and Mladen Petric returning to their starting line up while Wigan were without striker Arouna Kone, who is now on African Nations Cup duty with the Ivory Coast.

After a tentative start to the game by both teams, Franco Di Santo had the first of several good chances to give the away team the lead. Good interplay by Emmerson Boyce and James McArthur gave Di Santo a golden opportunity but the Argentinian miskicked inside the six yard box and the linesman flagged for offside, although subsequent television replays showed the Wigan player to be onside.

Soon afterwards James McArthur fired over the cross-bar from 25 yards after dispossessing Bryan Ruiz in midfield. There were several moments of uncertainty in the Fulham defence but Wigan failed to capitalise.

At the other end Wigan were conceding too many corners and defender Ivan Ramis was lucky on a couple of occasions when he gave the ball away in dangerous positions.

Fulham took the lead on 22 minutes when Karagounis was allowed too much space on the edge of the Wigan box and the Greek midfielder’s powerful angled shot gave Ali Al Habsi no chance.

Despite having their share of possession Wigan were giving the ball away too easily with Di Santo, Jean Beausejour and Ramis being the prime culprits. But they should have equalised when Di Santo missed another great opportunity inside the six yard box following an incisive cross by Boyce. It was looking as though Wigan would rue the departure of striker Kone to the African Nations Cup.

As the half drew to a close there was a feeling that neither side had been at their best, although Fulham had a slender lead Wigan had had the better chances.

Neither team made any changes at half time and the second half started in scrappy fashion with both teams giving the ball away far too easily.

The match sprung into life when Shaun Maloney’s deflected 25-yard effort was superbly tipped onto the bar by Schwarzer as Latics tried to draw level.

Kieran Richardson produced a great piece of defending when he slid in to deny Di Santo in the penalty area after good work by James McCarthy, before Maloney’s shot stretched the Fulham goalkeeper.

Di Santo did produce a sublime piece of skill when he flicked the ball up and volleyed on the turn but his shot went inches wide of the post.

Wigan were now on top, but there was a feeling that they might have wasted too many chances to get a result. Petric was replaced by former Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega as the Fulham manager Martin Jol tried to redress the balance of play.

Despite having so much of the play it was still something of a surprise when Wigan equalised. Di Santo had tested the patience of the Wigan fans with some poor finishing and many managers would have withdrawn him for loan signing Angelo Henriquez but Roberto Martinez’s patience was rewarded when Di Santo scored.

He moved unchallenged towards the Fulham goal and inexplicably the Fulham defenders parted to allow the player a clear sight of the goal and the young striker unleashed an unerringly powerful shot past Schwarzer. It was an important goal and the first goal in fifteen games for the recently capped Argentinian international.

Wigan’s equaliser gave them a definite boost and they proceeded to pressurise the Fulham goal. They forced a series of corners but the final cross or shot was always missing.

In fact it was Fulham who nearly regained the lead when a dangerous cross evaded every player in the Wigan box until Boyce cleared at the far post.

Wigan unfortunately lost Ivan Ramis towards the end of the half when he jarred his knee when challenging Dimitar Berbatov and was stretchered off with ligament damage.

They could have snatched all three points when Di Santo ran at the Fulham defence, and fired his shot from 12 yards which Schwarzer did well to turn around the post.

As the game moved into injury time the final drama came when substitute Ronnie Stam allowed Bryan Ruiz far took much room to get in his shot and the goal bound effort was superbly headed off the line by Figueroa. It was a crucial moment and the point gained was sufficient to move Wigan out of the bottom three and above Aston Villa on goal difference. The point gained could ultimately prove critical in Wigan’s fight for Premier League survival.

Posted in Franco Di Santo, Fulham, Giorgios Karagounis, Maynor Figueroa, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Franco Di Santo, Fulham, Giorgios Karagounis, Maynor Figueroa, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Has the FA Cup lost its sheen for the Latics? Wigan Athletic 1 Bournemouth 1

Posted on January 5, 2013 by ianhaspinall

The FA Cup

A Jordi Gomez equaliser kept Wigan in the FA Cup as they struggled to overcome a well organised and hard-working League One outfit Bournemouth. The Spanish midfielder followed up his missed penalty to score from the rebound and secure a replay on the South Coast. Euan O’Kane’s superb strike had given the Cherries the lead and the hope of an upset on 41 minutes.

Roberto Martinez has decided that the FA Cup is an opportunity to rest his key players and give the fringe and young players the opportunity to show their worth. The manager made nine changes from the side beaten by Manchester United with new signing Roger Espinoza and loanee Angelo Henriquez on the bench.

Many of Wigan’s first choice players were looking jaded after a hectic Christmas period and in the cold light of day it is surely the right decision to rest them in the FA Cup.

Martinez is also keen to see which players are ready to make the step up to the Premier League, but unfortunately on this performance only Henriquez and central defender Roman Golobart caught the eye with accomplished displays.

Stalwarts Emmerson Boyce and Maynor Figueroa were once again good value but many of the fringe players did not excel.

Wigan’s below par performance however should not take anything away from the efforts of the Cherries who fully deserved their draw. The League One side had gone into the game in confident mood and unbeaten in 17 games following the return of talisman Eddie Howe as manager. They were both competitive and creative and on another day could have gone away with a famous victory.

In the first half both sides had cancelled each other out until O’Kanes’ strike on 41 minutes. The travelling army of 2,500 Bournemouth fans must have been hoping that this would be the decisive goal but Martinez introduced on-loan Manchester United striker Henriquez at half time and Wigan looked much sharper in the second half.

Both Henriquez and Figueroa hit the cross-bar as Wigan went in search of the equaliser.

It came on 70 minutes when Gomez followed up his missed penalty to score with the rebound. Wigan had been awarded the penalty when Simon Francis fouled Figueroa inside the six-yard box.

Wigan were now in the ascendancy and it looked as though they would go onto win the game but Bournemouth stood firm and were not to be denied a replay.

Bournemouth are now slight favourites to win the replay as they will have home advantage and Latics are likely to once again field a reserve team. For a club like Wigan Athletic the FA Cup is no longer a priority. For the footballing traditionalists this may be a sad state of affairs but the realists know that maintaining our Premier League status has to be our top priority.

Posted in Bournemouth, Euan O'Kane, Jordi Gomez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Bournemouth, Euan O'Kane, Jordi Gomez, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

United’s win is all too predictable – Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester United 4

Posted on January 2, 2013 by ianhaspinall

£24m man Robin Van Persie

Manchester United eased past a weary looking Wigan Athletic on New Year’s Day with a brace each for strikers Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez providing the routine victory. The Latics have now conceded eight goals against the league leaders in their last two meetings and overall they have only once beaten United in sixteen league fixtures.

But given the disparity in resources available, is it really so surprising that United win so comfortably? Sir Alex Ferguson’s side is now valued in the region of £385m and Robin Van Persie alone is valued at £24m, costing more than the whole of the Wigan side put together.

Wigan did cause an upset last season by defeating United 1-0 and disrupting their title challenge but nine times out of ten United will take the three points. The financial gap between United, Manchester City and Chelsea is now so great that a Wigan victory against the top three is becoming less and less likely.

United were able to rotate and rest their squad for every game over the hectic Christmas period while Wigan have had to use nearly all the same players in every fixture. United have a huge depth to their squad while Wigan, still struggling with injuries, have a limited number of quality players to pick from.

Latics did manage to hold United until the 35th minute but the inevitable first goal came when Patrice Evra’s angled shot was parried by Ali Al Habsi into the path of Javier Hernandez and the Mexican slotted home from close range.

It was not too long before Robin Van Persie doubled their lead following a good pass from Hernandez. The Dutchman turned Ivan Ramis and Gary Caldwell in the box before curling his right foot shot inside the far post.

A 2-0 half time score line was about right, with United continuing their onslaught on the Wigan goal in the second half. The home team struggled to put together any counter attacking moves until the 58th minute when Arouna Kone had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside following a sharp pass from Franco Di Santo.

But normal service was resumed on 63 minutes when Hernandez reacted quickly to score the Reds’ third after Van Persie’s free kick had hit the Wigan defensive wall.

Chris Smalling should have been dismissed when as the last defender he pulled back Kone, but referee Andre Marriner only gave the United substitute a yellow card. The decision was yet another example of the inconsistent refereeing that Wigan have had to contend with this season. Jordi Gomez fired the resulting free kick just inches wide of the angle of post and cross-bar.

In the dying minutes United were gifted a fourth when Jean Beausejour and Emmerson Boyce got in each others way and the ball fell to Danny Welbeck who crossed for Van Persie to slot home his second goal.

The result once again highlighted the growing gap between the footballing super powers and the rest. This growing financial gap is an increasingly unhealthy one and the football authorities need to quickly address the issue if the Premier League wants to be a true competition.

The huge discrepancy in resources is typified by Latics latest loan signing from United, the young Chilean striker Angelo Henriquez is way down the pecking order at Old Trafford yet he is likely to go straight into the Wigan team as cover for Arouna Kone during the African Cup of Nations.

Apart from the fans of the three biggest three clubs, I’m sure that most football supporters would prefer a more equal baseline from which to compete in the league and also one in which the league winners do not always come from the same three clubs.

Posted in Javier Hernandez, Manchester United, Robin Van Persie, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Javier Hernandez, Manchester United, Robin Van Persie, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Wigan are singing in the rain – Aston Villa 0 Wigan Athletic 3

Posted on December 29, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Grey skies over Villa Park

Wigan recorded their first win in seven games with a comfortable 3-0 win against an Aston Villa side who have now conceded 15 goals in the last three games and are sliding towards relegation.

The returning Ivan Ramis gave Wigan the lead in only the third minute when he rose unchallenged to head home a corner by Jean Beausejour. Villa are going through a torrid time with heavy defeats against Chelsea (8-0) and Spurs (4-0) and this was the worst possible start for an inexperienced team. However it was a huge confidence booster for Wigan who had not been getting the results their performances had deserved.

Latics were immediately on top and Shaun Maloney should have been awarded a penalty when he had his legs taken from under him in the box by Stephen Ireland but as in the recent Everton game he was inexplicably denied by the referee.

The away side were bossing possession and Villa looked remarkably uncomfortable for a Premier League outfit, their lack of inexperience was far all too see as Wigan camped in the Villa half.

Shaun Maloney and Arouna Kone both blazed shots over the cross bar in the opening 15 minutes and Latics could have been three ahead in the opening half hour.

Wigan did lose their impetus towards half time and Villa nearly drew level when Christian Benteke had a goal disallowed because Andreas Weimann was in an offside position. Brett Holman also went close for Villa before the break when the Australian fired against the cross bar from close range.

But early in the second half Wigan took a firm grip of proceedings after a sublime piece of attacking play. Emmerson Boyce surged forward and played an intricate one-two with Arouna Kone before placing his low shot into the corner of the Villa goal.

Wigan increased their lead in the 56th minute when Kone got in on the scoresheet as he took a through pass from Franco Di Santo before rounding the Villa keeper and finishing from a tight angle.

At 3-0 the game was effectively over, but Paul Lambert made a triple substitution in an attempt to gain some respectability, with El Ahmadi, Bowery and Albrighton replacing Ireland, Holman and Lichaj.

Villa proceeded to launch high balls into the Wigan area but Ramis, Caldwell and Figueroa coped admirably and the home side were denied any clear cut opportunities.

Wigan had a couple of good opportunities on the counter attack and should have added to their tally, but a 0-3 away win was a very pleasing and much needed result.

Despite the dreadful weather and poor road conditions the Latics fans were in jubilant mood as they made their way back up the M6 to Wigan. The team had climbed out of the relegation places and above Villa to 16th place in the table.

Posted in Arouna Kone, Aston Villa, Emmerson Boyce, Ivan Ramis, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Arouna Kone, Aston Villa, Emmerson Boyce, Ivan Ramis, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

When being good is just not enough – Everton 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on December 27, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Referee Lee Mason

Despite putting in another good performance and matching Everton throughout the 94 minutes, Wigan came away from Goodison Park without any points. Once again the Latics were on the receiving end of some abysmal refereeing decisions by Lee Mason.

With the score at 1-0 to the home side Wigan had a clear penalty denied when Shaun Maloney was tripped by Leon Osman in the box. The referee was well positioned and it appeared to be a straight forward call but he waved away appeals despite close attention from Maloney and Jean Beasejour. It was to be the turning point in the game and if Wigan don’t start to get these decisions in their favour then the conspiracy theorists will have a field day.

Injury ravaged Wigan had Gary Caldwell returning to the back three alongside Maynor Figueroa and Emmerson Boyce. Arouna Kone was the lone striker with Wigan loading the midfield. Everton had Thomas Hitzlsperger making a rare start in midfield and Victor Anichebe leading the forward line.

Both sides struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the first half with the teams sharing possession 50/50. The major talking point for Wigan’s Banana clad and fancy dress following was the poor officiating from Lee Mason. In particular how Darron Gibson, who had been sent off in his previous game, had avoided a booking. The former Manchester United player committed two bookable offences in quick succession but the referee failed to caution him for either. It was perhaps not surprising that David Moyes decided to withdraw him at half time.

Everton upped their game early in the second half and Thomas Hitzelsperger crashed a thirty yard effort onto the Wigan cross-bar and they had a huge stroke of luck on 53 minutes when Osman’s left foot shot was cruelly deflected off Gary Caldwell’s arm to give them the lead.

Despite the set back Wigan surged forward to create an equaliser but it was evident that their luck had once again deserted them when the referee failed to award a penalty when Maloney was clearly brought down.

Kone had a close range shot blocked by Phil Neville before Everton went two ahead following a short corner on 77 minutes. Neville was allowed too much space to cross and Phil Jagielka rose high above Caldwell to power his header into the top corner.

Arouna Kone grabbed a goal back on 83 minutes following a scramble in the Everton box. Di Santo’s blocked shot spun high into the air before Kone out muscled three Everton defenders and then poked the ball past Tim Howard to give Everton a nervy last ten minutes.

In the post match press conference Roberto Martinez was inevitably disappointed with referee Mason and in particular the penalty decision. It was telling to hear that Everton manager David Moyes also felt a penalty should have been awarded.

Moyes also said afterwards: “Wigan are a good team, they don’t get the credit they deserve for how they play, and this is a good win (for Everton).”

Yes it was another good performance by Wigan but it is worrying that we are not getting the results we deserve.

The games are now coming thick and fast and we now go to Villa Park on Saturday for what is already looking like a must win fixture.

Posted in Arouna Kone, Everton, Leon Osman, Phil Jagielka, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Arouna Kone, Everton, Leon Osman, Phil Jagielka, Wigan Athletic | 5 Comments

Controversial decisions consign Wigan to another defeat – Wigan Athletic 0 Arsenal 1

Posted on December 23, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Despite producing a battling performance at a rain-soaked DW stadium, Wigan were thwarted by a resurgent Arsenal. The away side were awarded a controversial penalty in the 60th minute when Theo Walcott went down in the box after a challenge by Jean Beausejour. There was minimal contact by the Chilean but the England striker made sure that the referee had a decision to make. It was a very debatable decision by referee Jon Moss, who had a desperately poor game throughout, with some bizarre decisions incensing the home crowd.

Wigan’s injury crisis continues to hamper their progress and on this occasion they were without four established centre backs. Manager Martinez decided to go with a 4-4-2 formation with Maynor Figueroa joining captain Emmerson Boyce in the centre and regular wing backs Ronnie Stam and Jean Beausejour adopting a more conventional full back role.

Arsenal went into the game at full strength and in good form after Monday night’s 5-2 rout of struggling Reading. Despite the discrepancy in resources the Latics matched the Gunners all over the park in a close fought encounter.

The Wigan pitch was in surprisingly good condition despite the torrential rain and both sides created some good goal scoring opportunities in the opening minutes.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drew a fine left-handed save from Ali Al Habsi at the near post but the home side had the best opportunity of the first half when Arouna Koné was fed through by Franco Di Santo’s and the Ivorian striker outpaced Per Mertesacker but dragged his left-foot shot wide of the post.

Wigan’s full backs Stam and Beausejour got forward on numerous occasions but the final cross was often disappointingly poor. With a little more composure Wigan should have capitalised on their dominance of the flanks.

Early in the second half Arsenal had a good opportunity to take the lead when the relatively subdued Santi Cazorla made good progress down the right hand side before cutting the ball back to Walcott whose shot on the turn was well saved by Al Habsi.

Then in the 60th minute the game turned in Arsenal’s favour when Beausejour was controversially adjudged to have fouled Walcott. Mikel Arteta comfortably converted the spot kick by sending Al Habsi the wrong way. The Wigan fans’ humour was not improved when soon afterwards Di Santo was forced to stand on the touch-line for three minutes. It was a bizarre decision by referee Moss after Di Santo was mistakenly adjudged to be wearing an earring. The Fourth official Mark Halsey looked suitably embarrassed by the whole affair.

As Wigan challenged to get back on level terms there was a feeling that the Arsenal players went down too easily and referee Moss was all too ready to award them a free kick. The Wigan fans’ sense of injustice was all too palpable in the latter part of the second half when substitute Jordi Gomez’s shot was fended away with his arms by Kieran Gibbs in the box.

Wigan continued to pressurise the Arsenal goal as Figueroa blazed over the bar and a David Jones volley was inches wide of the post. Beausejour and Stam managed to get into good crossing positions but were once again wasteful with their final ball.

The game ended in a chorus of boos from the home fans directed at the referee; there was a clear sense of injustice as the key decisions had all gone in Arsenal’s favour and Wigan were left to rue another three points lost.

Most neutrals would agree that Wigan’s performance had deserved at least a point. Mr Moss may be demoted to a lower league for the next game, but Wigan won’t get these points back.

Posted in Arsenal, Jon Moss, Mikel Arteta, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Arsenal, Jon Moss, Mikel Arteta, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Wigan’s injury crisis deepens as Norwich winning run continues – Norwich City 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on December 15, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Adrian Lopez limped off with a hamstring injury

Norwich City secured their fifth successive home win and remain unbeaten in ten games after edging out injury hit Wigan Athletic 2-1 at Carrow Road. The Latics had started the game without three centre backs and finished the game with ten men after Adrian Lopez pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain. Earlier Irish international James McCarthy had limped off at half time with a foot injury.

Wigan put in a very disappointing first half performance and went 1-0 down on 16 minutes and they could have been at least three goals down at half time if it hadn’t been for some profligate finishing by the Canaries and some good saves by Ali Al Habsi.

Wigan’s build up play could be described as patient but it would be more accurate to say it was pedestrian. Norwich were much quicker in their progress and Wes Hoolahan, Grant Holt and Anthony Pilkington all had good chances for the home side.

When in possession Wigan gave the ball away far too easily and were unable to close down their opponents when defending. Norwich in contrast passed the ball with efficiency and worked hard to get the ball back.

After a scrappy first fifteen minutes, Norwich took the lead following a mistake by Wigan’s captain Emmerson Boyce. The defender dwelled on the ball on the edge of his own box and Wes Hoolahan dispossessed him before passing to Anthony Pilkington who rifled his shot past Al Habsi.

The Wigan bench was further incensed minutes later when Norwich’s Bradley Johnson appeared to stamp on James McCarthy’s foot. The Canaries midfielder was booked for the offence but McCarthy struggled with the injury for the remainder of the half.

Norwich could have increased their lead when Al Habsi missed Snodgrass’s deep cross but Pilkington inexplicably fired wide. Soon afterwards the Wigan keeper produced an outstanding reflex save to deny a goal bound Snodgrass header. Latics went into the break mightily relieved to be only one goal down.

Roberto Martinez replaced the injured McCarthy and Jordi Gomez during the interval and introduced David Jones and Shaun Maloney. The Scottish international Maloney made an instant impact on 51 minutes when he fired home the equaliser from the edge of the box after brilliant work by Arouna Kone.

Wigan were now on top and controlling possession, Maynor Figueroa had a long range effort which drew a fine save from the Norwich keeper Bunn and Maloney played an exquisite cross which just evaded Mauro Boselli and Kone.

Just when it was looking like the away side would snatch an unlikely victory another mistake by the usually reliable Boyce resulted in Norwich regaining the lead. The Barbadian defender let Pilkington turn far too easily on the edge of the box and the former Huddersfield Town player provide a perfect chip for Wes Hoolahan to head past Al Habsi.

Wigan huffed and puffed but rarely threatened an equaliser until the dying minutes when the hard working Kone was played in by substitute Franco Di Santo, but a great last ditch tackle by Sebastien Bassong denied the Ivorian a goal.

As the game ticked towards the final whistle Adrian Lopez pulled up with what looked like a hamstring strain and Wigan played out the final seconds with ten men.

Wigan’s poor first half showing had been their undoing, if they had not been so far off the pace in the first half they might have got something from the game.

Credit must go to Norwich however, who played with some style and vigour and deservedly took the three points, which moved them up to the heady heights of seventh in the table.

Wigan’s injury crisis continues to get worse with both McCarthy and Lopez unlikely to be available for the difficult upcoming games against Arsenal and Everton. It is fair to say that the squad is looking decidedly thin and the immediate prospects are not looking good. A quick return for some of our long term injuries is now a necessity if we are to gain some points over the Christmas period.

Posted in Anthony Pilkington, Norwich City, Shaun Maloney, Wes Hoolahan, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Anthony Pilkington, Norwich City, Shaun Maloney, Wes Hoolahan, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

McCarthy’s magic extends Rangers winless run – Wigan Athletic 2 Queens Park Rangers 2

Posted on December 9, 2012 by ianhaspinall

James McCarthy – an exceptional talent

Queens Park Rangers had a great opportunity to snatch their first three points of the season against a depleted Latics when they took a 2-1 lead through substitute Djibril Cisse in the 71st minute, but Wigan equalised three minutes later through Man of the Match James McCarthy to secure the draw.

McCarthy’s late equaliser confirmed Rangers have made the worst start to the season since the Premier League was founded in 1992, their 16th game without a win surpassing Swindon’s run in 1993.

Wigan were without seven senior players including four central defenders, Antolin Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell, Maynor Figueroa and Ivan Ramis. The defence looked decidedly makeshift with midfielder David Jones drafted into the back three alongside Emmerson Boyce and Adrian Lopez.

In contrast to Wigan’s sparse resources QPR had an expensively assembled squad at their disposal with high-profile players such as Djibril Cisse, Junior Hoilett, Estaban Granero and Alejandro Faurlin only making the bench.

Wigan may have been under strength but they created more chances and were the better side throughout. Yet two sucker punches nearly gave Rangers the three points.

Wigan had taken a deserved lead on 19 minutes through James McCarthy. Following a corner the Irishman drove his shot through a crowded box and the ball clipped Jamie Mackie before evading keeper Robert Green.

Against the run of play Rangers drew level six minutes later. Wigan’s inability to defend set pieces continues to haunt them as Rangers captain Ryan Nelson was allowed to rise unchallenged from a corner to head powerfully past Ali Al Habsi.

The goal initially stunned Wigan but they continued to create chances and Franco Di Santo wasted a good opportunity at the back post to reclaim the lead.

In the second half the home side upped the pressure on the Rangers goal. Former England keeper Green was in fine form producing some excellent saves to deny McCarthy, Jones and substitute Mauro Boselli.

Both Jones and Jordi Gomez hit the Rangers cross bar and it looked only a matter of time before Wigan would score. But the finishing touch could not be applied and the visitors took the lead against the run of play when substitute Djibril Cisse fired his side ahead.

Once again it was a Latics error that gifted the goal. Lopez’s underhit pass allowed Boyce to be robbed by Stephane M’bia who fed Shaun Wright-Phillips and the diminutive winger set up Cisse to side foot home.

But Latics were not to be denied and they deservedly equalised three minutes later. Man of the Match McCarthy firing through a sea of legs following Jean Beausejour’s good work.

McCarthy is an exceptional talent, the 22 year old Irish international was central to many of Wigan’s best moves and with a bit more composure he could have scored a hat-trick. His performances are attracting attention from the top teams, but it is to be hoped that Wigan can hold into him for a few more seasons before the inevitable big move materialises.

Posted in Djibril Cisse, James McCarthy, QPR, Ryan Nelson, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Djibril Cisse, James McCarthy, QPR, Ryan Nelson, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment