Let's Hang On

Latics show fighting spirit but City maintain top spot – Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester City 1

Posted on January 17, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Man of the Match performance from Ali Al Habsi

Wigan made the gap between top and bottom look a narrow one as they gave a hard-working performance against their wealthy rivals.

Before kick off City’s strength in-depth was for all to see as the injured Mario Ballotelli was replaced by £35m man Edin Dzeko and Pablo Zabeleta deputised for Micah Richards. Wigan started with an attacking line-up that included Albert Crusat, Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses, with James McArthur filling in for Momo Diame who is on African Nations Cup duty.

As expected City dominated possession in the opening proceedings as Wigan were careful not to concede an early goal. But it was Wigan who were creating chances as Crusat fired his centre across the six yard box and Victor Moses produced some darting forward runs.

However, on 22 minutes it was Dzeko’s height that made the difference, the 6ft 4in striker out-jumped Antolin Alcaraz from David Silva’s free kick to head past Ali Al Habsi.

The team’s went into the break evenly matched but City had the decisive lead.

The second half commenced with City creating some good chances and Wigan’s defending looking haphazard. In fact, it was only a superb Man of the Match performance from Al Habsi that prevented City adding to their lead. First he denied Dzeko with an outstanding reflex save and then diving to his left he superbly kept out Silva’s shot. Sergio Aguero wasted another good chance after an amazing dribble, but Wigan’s goal was not to be breached again.

City noticeably tired and Wigan pushed them back while growing in confidence. James McCarthy drove forward and his goal bound shot was excellently turned around the post by Joe Hart.

Roberto Martinez replaced Crusat and Gomez with Ben Watson and Franco Di Santo and Roberto Mancini introduced Nigel de Jong and Nedum Onuoha for Silva and Nasri. Wigan were pegging City back in their own half, but although Moses continued to look lively, the final ball into the box was limited.

As the game moved towards the final whistle, controversy ensued as Maynor Figueroa standing just inside the City half handled the ball preventing Aguero from running through. Figueroa was only given a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson. There was turmoil on the touch-line as Mancini remonstrated that it should be a red card. His behaviour was certainly not befitting of his profession. Mancini’s agitation signified that he was not happy with referee Martin Atkinson but also that he was aware that Wigan had pushed City very close and could still equalise.

In the final minutes Wigan pushed men forward with Callum McManaman added to the forward line, but they just couldn’t get enough players and crosses into the box to cause any damage.

As against Chelsea and Liverpool, Wigan’s performance had been hard-working and spirited but ultimately they lacked the killer punch.

Wigan’s next game is a crunch clash with QPR at Loftus Road, points from this game are now crucial if Wigan are to close the gap with the teams above them.

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Edin Dzeko, Manchester City, Roberto Mancini, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Edin Dzeko, Manchester City, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment

Lacklustre Latics bow out of the cup – Swindon Town 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on January 8, 2012 by ianhaspinall

A disappointing day at the County ground

It is not a pleasant experience to see your team outplayed by a team three divisions below you. Wigan Athletic were once giant killers themselves but now the tables were turned as the Robins overcame a team 53 places above them.

Paulo Di Canio’s Swindon deserved their 2-1 victory against an uncommitted Wigan who had made nine changes from their previous game against Sunderland.

Wigan’s priority has to be Premier League survival but it was a very dispiriting spectacle for the 600 or so Latics fans who made the long trip to Wiltshire. It may be a sad indictment of modern football but for teams like Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves and QPR the FA Cup is now an unfortunate distraction to the main event.

Wigan started the game steadily enough with returning loanee Callum McManaman showing some lively touches and good link ups. It was McManaman who was brought down by Aden Flint to give away a penalty. Ben Watson’s spot kick crashed against the upright but McManaman followed up to give Latics the lead.

Instead of giving Wigan a boost the goal seemed to galvanise Swindon who proceeded to put in a series of telling crosses and shots. Ali Al Habsi had to be at his very best to save a goal bound shot by Matt Ritchie.

Swindon were now bossing the midfield and Wigan’s Hendry Thomas, Ben Watson and James McArthur all appeared reluctant to close down their opponents.

It was no surprise when Swindon equalised, Ritchie put in an excellent cross and Alan Connell glanced his header past Al Habsi.

Swindon went into half-time in the ascendancy although Latics fans were hoping the break might give their team time to regroup and reorganise.

But when the second half continued Wigan looked even more bereft of ideas and Swindon urged on by the crowd created several good opportunities. Ritchie blazed over from 10 yards and then on 76 minutes Ritchie’s 35 yard shot was deflected by Benson and into the Wigan net with Al Habsi wrong footed. Benson was standing in an offside position but the goal was only what Swindon had deserved.

Wigan had rarely threatened the home team’s goal throughout and it was Swindon who had shown the greater desire to progress into the fourth round. If Wigan are still in the Premier League next season it will probably be the best for everyone if we don’t enter the FA Cup.

Posted in Callum McManaman, Swindon Town, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Callumm McManaman, giant killers, paulo di canio, Swindon Town, Wigan Athletic | 2 Comments

O’Neil has the Midas touch – Wigan Athletic 1 Sunderland 4

Posted on January 4, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neil

A combination of very poor refereeing by Mike Dean and clever counter-attacking by a well-drilled Sunderland contributed to Wigan’s latest setback.

Martin O’Neil’s ability to transform an average Sunderland team into a winning outfit should not be underestimated, it can’t just be the luck of the Irish that has transformed former manager Steve Bruce’s hapless Black Cats into an organised and effective team.

O’Neil’s team have already surpassed Bruce’s points total obtaining 13 points from six games.

Referees certainly seem to have it in for Wigan at the moment, Phil Dowd’s atrocious display at Old Trafford was replicated by Wirral referee Dean. He gifted Sunderland the opportunity to get the opening goal by firstly denying Wigan a clear corner and then at the other end of the pitch giving an unjust free-kick on the edge of the Wigan box from which Craig Gardner smashed home.

Wigan had dominated the first half creating numerous chances but could not get the vital breakthrough. Steve Gohouri had a shot cleared off the line by Craig Gardner and both David Jones and Ben Watson hit the woodwork. Albert Crusat was a constant thorn in the Black Cats side until he had to retire early with a back injury. His incisive passing and jinking runs made him Wigan’s liveliest player. But it was Sunderland who went into the break one goal ahead.

The second half began in similar fashion with Sunderland sitting back and inviting Wigan pressure. But in the 54th minute a mistake by Jones allowed Sunderland to double their lead. Richardson fed Vaughan who crossed for McClean to head home at the second attempt after Al Habsi had saved his first effort.

Wigan then laid siege to the Sunderland goal and it was no surprise when Hugo Rodallega grabbed a goal back when his deflected shot from outside the box found the corner of the Sunderland net.

Wigan continued to press and it seemed only a matter of time before they would equalise.

However, once again the referee was at fault as he failed to see a pull on Maynor Figueroa by Niklas Bendtner, the Danish striker then crossed the ball for Stephane Sessegnon to score.

As Wigan committed more men forward, they were always vulnerable to the counter-attack and from McClean’s charged down shot the ball broke to Vaughan who lashed the ball into the top corner.

The 4-1 result flattered Sunderland but Wigan’s failure to take their chances had contributed to their own downfall.

Wigan remain in the bottom three, two points away from safety and Sunderland rise to a heady tenth.

The Latics priority for the transfer window should be a striker and a punt on a goalscorer such as Rickie Lambert or Billy Sharp could be invaluable, if they are to evade the drop this season.

Posted in Albert Crusat, Hugo Rodallega, Martin O'Neil, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic | Tagged craig gardner, Hugo Rodallega, Martin O'Neil, mike dean, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic | 2 Comments

Refereeing mistakes ease the way for United – Manchester United 5 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on December 27, 2011 by ianhaspinall

Phil Dowd - A Manchester United fan?

The scoreline may suggest an easy win for United but it was two catastrophic mistakes by referee Phil Dowd that tipped the game in United’s favour.

United had taken the lead through Park Ji-Sung but Wigan were starting to get a foothold in the game. The first refereeing mistake meant Wigan would have a mountain to climb if they were to get anything from the game. Conor Sammon was harshly adjudged to have elbowed Michael Carrick in the face, referee Dowd must have been to only person in the ground to think it was a sending off offence. It was clear to everyone that the contact was a hand not an elbow and that it was accidental.

This incident was in stark contrast to events at the DW Stadium last season when Wigan’s James McCarthy was blatantly elbowed in the face by Wayne Rooney and referee Mark Clattenburg didn’t send off Rooney. It really does seem that the referees find it easier to give the big teams in the Premier League that extra bit of help when they are playing teams like Wigan.

Before the sending off Wigan had been creating chances and Ronnie Stam in particular was getting behind the United back line and putting in some telling crosses, Sammon nearly got on the end of one and the ball zipped dangerously across the six yard box for another. But just before half time United doubled their lead with an excellent finish by Dimitri Berbatov.

Roberto Martinez reshuffled his troops at half time because he knew it would be a difficult second half. He decided to take off midfielder Mo Diame and bring on the offensive Franco Di Santo, clearly hoping that Di Santo and Victor Moses could occupy the United defence and quell the onslaught.

However, both Moses and Di Santo were not retaining the ball well enough and United increased their lead when Berbatov collected a pass from Valencia and fired past Al Habsi.

Valencia then made it 4-0 with a low drive across Al Habsi after a corner was cleared straight to Carrick.

Then came the second major refereeing mistake of the day as Antolin Alcaraz fouled Park Ji-Sung just outside the box and Phil Dowd pointed to the penalty spot. Alcaraz was incredulous, but Dowd wanted five!

The Bulgarian then granted Dowd his wish, while ensuring his own hat-trick.

After the game Dowd went for a glass of champagne with Sir Alex to celebrate.

Well maybe he didn’t. But it does seem as though when playing against the might of Manchester United we also have to endure unequal refereeing that makes it near impossible to get a result.

Posted in Antolin Alcaraz, Antonio Valencia, Conor Sammon, Manchester United, Park Ji-Sung, Phil Dowd, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Antolin Alcaraz, Conor Sammon, Manchester United, Phil Dowd | 8 Comments

Ali is the Wigan hero – Wigan Athletic 0 Liverpool 0

Posted on December 22, 2011 by ianhaspinall

Ali Al Habsi - Another outstanding display

Prior to the game all attention was on Luis Suarez after his proposed eight-game ban was announced by the FA. The decision seemed to galvanise Liverpool but it was Wigan who ultimately emerged the stronger team from one of the most exciting 0-0 draws I have seen in a long time.

Liverpool who had warmed up in supportive Suarez T-shirts, started the game in breathtaking fashion and for the first 15 minutes Wigan were pegged back in their own half. If Ali Al Habsi had not been on top form and the Liverpool players had not wasted some good chances the game could have been over in this opening period.

But as the half progressed the Latics started to get a foothold in the game, Victor Moses looked to be tripped by Martin Skrtel in the box and then he produced an outstanding dribble, collecting the ball near his own box, he seemed to take on most of the opposition team before driving his shot straight at Pepe Reina.

The game had become an exhilarating feast of attacking football with both sets of attackers seemingly able to create chances at will. Suarez curled a free kick over the wall and Al Habsi acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.

The incidents came thick and fast and Referee Mike Oliver was often in the centre of it, as he gave some controversial decisions, often in the Merseysiders favour.

One such incident was in the 50th minute when Gary Caldwell was harshly adjudged to have handled Suarez’s overhead kick. From the resulting spot kick Charlie Adam’s effort was saved excellently by Man of the Match Al Habsi.

The game continued in frenzied fashion and Wigan sensed that they could go onto win the game. Twin impact substitutes Franco Di Santo and Hugo Rodallega were creating problems for the Liverpool defence. Moses produced a great cross for Rodallega’s header but Glen Johnson managed to deflect the ball for a corner.

Moses then had the best chance to win the game when his angled effort from about six yards went inches wide of the far post.

It was fair to say that the result could have gone either way, but once again Wigan won’t get much credit for this result. All the attention will be about Suarez and Liverpool not being at their best. Liverpool have won four of their last five away games and for Wigan to match such a star-studded outfit deserves much greater credit from the media.

Roberto Martinez’s team have gelled into a cohesive formation and are now capable of competing with the best teams in the league.

However, Wigan’s biggest test will come when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. They have never taken a point from United, so a good result at Old Trafford would signify a huge progression for a small club that is battling against the odds.

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Liverpool, Luis Suarez, Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Ali Al Habsi, Liverpool, Luis Suarez, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment

Cech hands Wigan a deserved point – Wigan Athletic 1 Chelsea 1

Posted on December 18, 2011 by ianhaspinall

Goal scorer Jordi Gomez

Wigan Athletic earned an excellent point against their super wealthy opponents in the late kick off at the DW Stadium on Saturday evening. Daniel Sturridge had given Chelsea the lead in the 59th minute but a mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech handed Wigan an equaliser in the 88th minute.

Wigan often looked the more accomplished team as they out fought and often out thought a team who had only this week defeated title favourites Manchester City.

Chelsea had started well, John Terry and Oriol Romeu had long-range efforts and Didier Drogba headed wide from a good position, but the Wigan back five looked relatively solid for once.

As the game progressed the Latics seemed to grow in confidence as they came to realise that Chelsea were not invincible.

Victor Moses was causing problems for the Chelsea defence and he had a good shout for a penalty turned down by referee Martin Atkinson when his goal bound shot hit the arm of Branislav Ivanovic.

Just before half-time Moses nearly got on the end of a cross by Dave Jones, but the ball was fractionally too far ahead of him.

Wigan continued the second half in similar fashion to the first and Moses had another good chance when he produced a sublime piece of skill to flick the ball over John Terry’s head before blazing his shot out for a throw-in.

Chelsea’s goal came when Frank Lampard was off the field receiving attention for a cut mouth. A long cross field ball from Ashley Cole found Daniel Sturridge who expertly volleyed past Ali Al-Habsi from an acute angle.

Despite the set back Wigan maintained their passing game and continued to threaten the Chelsea goal. Maynor Figueroa had a long-range shot tipped around the post by Cech and substitute Franco Di Santo had his goal bound effort headed away by Ivanovic.

It was in fact the two substitutes Di Santo and Hugo Rodallega who combined to create the Wigan equaliser. Di Santo picked the ball up on the left-wing and his slide rule pass fed Rodallega whose shot was only parried by Cech and Jordi Gomez followed up to score his fourth goal in five matches.

The match statistics reinforced the view that Wigan had edged out their expensively assembled rivals. Wigan had 50.8% possession, Chelsea 49.2%. Wigan had 14 shots and Chelsea 11, Wigan had seven corners to Chelsea’s five.

This is quite an achievement for a team who have been struggling for most of the season, but augurs well for the rest of the season. If Wigan can continue to play the slick passing game while eradicating the basic mistakes that have been a constant thorn in their side, then we can look forward to another season at the top-level.

Posted in Chelsea, Jordi Gomez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Chelsea, Jordi Gomez, Wigan Athletic | 3 Comments

West Bromwich Albion 1 Wigan Athletic 2 – Moses is the difference

Posted on December 11, 2011 by ianhaspinall

Victor Moses - game changer

Before this game Roy Hodgson patronised Wigan by saying their summer bid for Peter Odemwingie was “a little bit like West Brom trying to sign Lionel Messi”. Hodgson’s ill-considered comments may have helped to motivate the Latics who fought back from a goal down to take the three points.

West Brom had started the brighter of the two teams with Chris Brunt heading wide and then blasting a shot which Ali Al-Habsi tipped onto the cross-bar and over. Gary Caldwell also did brilliantly to deflect a goal bound shot from Odemwingie.

As per usual Wigan managed to maintain a high level of possession and looked to be gaining a foothold in the game until the 32nd minute when Caldwell was adjudged to have fouled Shane Long. From the resulting free-kick Steven Reid superbly curled the ball into the top corner with Al-Habsi stranded.

West Brom pushed for a quick second, but Wigan were the team to score next when Youssouf Mulumbu cut out Mohammed Diame’s cross only for Victor Moses to expertly curl the ball into the top corner. It was a brilliant finish by Moses, his first goal of the season.

The second Wigan goal was once again the result of great play by Moses who turned Reid inside out before the desperate defender tripped him in the box. Jordi Gomez calmly stepped up and sent Foster the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

As West Brom pushed for an equaliser Wigan retreated deeper and invited pressure, but were ready to hit the Baggies on the break.

West Brom huffed and puffed but could not breach the Wigan defence. The late substitute Paul Scharner had a glorious chance to equalise but his close range header went well over the cross-bar.

There was just time for one final contentious incident in the dying minutes when Graham Dorrans was adjudged to have dived in the box and was yellow carded by referee Mike Dean.

Ultimately the difference between the sides were two pieces of sublime skill by the twenty-year old Moses. He may have had 46 shots this season and only scored one goal, but he is an exciting talent who can go past defenders with ease. He has an array of tricks and skills up his sleeve and if he can start to convert some of the chances he creates he will become a top player.

Wigan moved out of the bottom three on Saturday night but following Sunderland’s win over Blackburn on Sunday they are now in 18th position. This still keeps them within site of mid-table and the likes of Wolves, Sunderland, West Brom, Fulham and QPR.

The Latics can now go into a series of difficult Christmas fixtures in a positive frame of mind and with the belief that they have a realistic chance of avoiding relegation.

Posted in Roy Hodgson, Victor Moses, WBA, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Roy Hodgson, Victor Moses, WBA, Wigan Athletic | 2 Comments

Back to the bottom – Wigan Athletic 0 Arsenal 4

Posted on December 4, 2011 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic returned to the bottom of the table after this disappointing home defeat to a formidable Arsenal. Wigan’s ability to self destruct was once again in evidence, as was the excellence of Arsenal’s intricate passing game.

The Latics started brightly and for the first 25 minutes matched the Gunners for possession and probably should have taken the lead when Jordi Gomez had a clear chance but was denied by Andre Santos late intervention.

However Wigan’s ability to gift the opposition was demonstrated in the 28th minute when Mikel Arteta was given way too much space in front of the Wigan goal and his swerving shot deceived Ali Al-Habsi.

Only one minute later Arsenal won a corner and from Robin Van Persie’s cross Gary Caldwell allowed Thomas Vermaelen to rise above him to head an easy second. Once again Wigan’s poor defending had been their downfall.

Arsenal now took full control of proceedings and produced a masterclass in slick pass and move football. The Gunners totally dominated possession and the gulf in class was for all to see. Wigan couldn’t get a foothold in the game and as the game moved towards half- time it was clear that it would require a minor miracle for them to get anything from the game.

Only the most optimistic fans expected a comeback similar to the ones in the previous two seasons when Wigan came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2 and draw 2-2.

The second half started in similar fashion to the end of the first, with Arsenal in total control and the home team players retreating further and further towards their own goal. It looked only a matter of time before Arsenal would increase their lead.

Van Persie, Walcott and Gervinho all wasted good chances before a phenomenal chain of 33 passes resulted in Van Persie transferring the ball from left foot to right and then bending his shot towards the corner, Al-Habsi saved well but Gervinho followed up the rebound.

Worse was to come in the 78th minute when another example of poor Wigan defending let in the Gunners. Caldwell and Walcott chased a through ball and the Wigan defender looked to have the advantage but he somehow contrived to lose the 60/40 tackle and Walcott squared the ball for Van Persie to finish.

Poor defending has characterised the season so far and it is fair to say that Wigan will not escape relegation without a radical solution. In my view, the prime candidate for a rest is the Captain Gary Caldwell. It was another disappointing display by Caldwell and this performance was typical of his form this season.

I know that Roberto Martinez will be reluctant to sideline his Captain but Caldwell’s current performances cannot justify his place in the team. Now is the time for a change as Antolin Alcaraz returns from suspension at West Brom and he is the obvious replacement.

I would also replace the erratic Steve Gohouri with Emmerson Boyce at centre back and have a new defensive pairing of Alcaraz and Boyce to try to stem the run of poor defending.

A defensive reshuffle is required if we are to bounce back quickly. A good result at West Brom is now imperative as we then face difficult games against Chelsea (H), Liverpool (H) and Manchester United (A).

Posted in Antolin Alcaraz, Arsenal, Emmerson Boyce, Gary Caldwell, Steve Gohouri, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Antolin Alcaraz, Arsenal, Emmerson Boyce, Gary Caldwell, Steve Gohouri, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment

The wheel of fortune turns in Wigan’s favour – Sunderland 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on November 27, 2011 by ianhaspinall

The wheel turns in Wigan's favour

Last week Wigan Athletic were thwarted by some terrible luck, poor refereeing and a 99th minute equaliser, this week the wheel of fortune turned in Wigan’s favour as they overcame Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Wigan’s 2-1 victory heaped further pressure on the beleaguered Sunderland manager Steve Bruce. Cries of ‘Bruce Out’ echoed around the Stadium at full-time as Wigan pulled off an unlikely win.

Wigan had their usual poor start as Ali Al-Habsi first failed to hold a shot from Nicholas Bendtner and then from Kieran Richardson before Sebastian Larsson slotted home after eight minutes. Sunderland were creating numerous chances but were profligate in front of goal. Al Habsi made some fine saves but one miss in particular by Phil Bardsley typified the Black Cats inability to take the easiest of chances.

Latics did manage to get their passing game going on a few occasions, with Mo Diame and David Jones performing well in midfield, but overall the direction of travel was towards Al-Habsi’s goal.

However, the tide turned in Wigan’s favour in the 43rd minute when the quick footed Victor Moses went over in the penalty box under pressure from Larsson. In a bizarre twist of fate, it looked as though Moses had slipped on one of the many pieces of litter that had been blowing around the windswept stadium. Jordi Gomez calmly despatched the penalty despite Kieran Westwood’s attempts to distract him.

Wigan went into the break level, they had ridden their luck and had Al-Habsi to thank for keeping them in the game.

The second half started in familiar fashion with Sunderland pressing and creating chances. But Al-Habsi’s goal was not breached and Wigan held firm. Sunderland introduced substitutes David Vaughan and Craig Gardner for Bardsley and Cattermole and Wigan brought on James McArthur and Franco Di Santo for Ronnie Stam and Conor Sammon and it was the Wigan substitutes who were to have most impact on the final result.

Just as the game seemed destined for a draw Wes Brown was caught in possession by the terrier-like McArthur and he combined well with Di Santo before Di Santo side footed home the winner. The scenes on the Wigan bench were something to behold as Graeme Jones celebrated with the ecstatic Robert Martinez.

For once luck had turned in Wigan’s favour as they moved off the bottom of the table, two points above Blackburn and now level on points with Bolton. In his post match interviews Martinez was confident that this win could be a springboard for the rest of the season. Lets hope he’s right.

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Franco Di Santo, Jordi Gomez, Roberto Martinez, Steve Bruce, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Ali Al Habsi, Franco Di Santo, Jordi Gomez, Roberto Martinez, Steve Bruce, Sunderland | 2 Comments

High drama as Rovers steal a point – Wigan Athletic 3 Blackburn Rovers 3

Posted on November 20, 2011 by ianhaspinall

99th minute penalty incident

There was high drama on Saturday as Wigan took on local rivals Blackburn Rovers in a pulsating relegation six pointer. This game had just about everything – six goals, defensive mistakes, a sending off, a game changing refereeing error and a 99th minute equaliser – once again the Latics were the better team, but as usual this season they failed to take the three points.

The game started in typical fashion for Wigan as after only one minute they conceded. A high ball deceived Gary Caldwell and Ayegbeni Yakubu was left alone to lob past Ali Al-Habsi. After such a bad start the Wigan fans must have feared for the worst.

But only five minutes later Jordi Gomez rifled in an equaliser past the unsighted Paul Robinson. Wigan were dominating proceedings with Mo Diame outstanding in
Midfield and Victor Moses tormenting fullback Michel Salgado. Moses had two glorious chances, he first blazed over from a Ronnie Stam cross and then from another cross he somehow contrived to head over when it looked easier to score. If only we could take half the chances we create we could be comfortably in mid table. As in recent weeks the game’s statistics demonstrated the Latics dominance, 29 shots to Rovers 9, and 58.5 % possession to Rovers 41.5%.

Wigan had a clear penalty turned down when Moses broke into the box and Morten Gamst Pedersen chopped him down but the increasingly hapless referee Andre Marriner failed to point to the spot. Key refereeing decisions change games and Wigan are certainly not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

Some sense of justice was achieved in the 31st minute as Caldwell was allowed a free header in the box from a corner and his well placed header evaded Robinson.

The fickle Blackburn fans cheered enthusiastically for Blackburn’s goals but each time Wigan scored the Kean out chants and banners came to the fore. Whatever the merits of the manager Steve Kean, it cannot help the team’s cause when the fans are booing and chanting to sack the manager during the game.

Things got worse for Blackburn at the beginning of the second half when David Dunn was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Diame.

Wigan were dominating possession and Rovers were having to defend deep in their own half, but the referee once again came to Rovers aid in the 59th Minute when he allowed a controversial goal to stand. Yakubu went over to take a corner with the intention of touching the ball to Pedersen, but either deliberately or inadvertently he didn’t play the ball and Pedersen dribbled the ball along the touch-line before crossing for Junior Hoilett to head home. The Referee later said he thought Yakuba touched the ball, but TV evidence shows that Marriner wasn’t even looking towards the corner flag.

A psychological setback for Wigan but they continued to press and Hugo Rodallega had another glorious opportunity to put Wigan back in front but his close range effort was saved by Robinson. However, the diminutive Albert Crusat did put the blues ahead in the 88th minute when he toe poked his shot under the slow to dive Robinson.

Wigan were on the verge of their first win since beating QPR on the 27th August. But it was not to be as in the ninth minute of stoppage time (Where did Referee Marriner get nine minutes from?) Latics gave away a penalty. Goalkeeper Robinson went up for the corner and was kicked in the head by David Jones as they both went for the ball. Yakuba calmly despatched the penalty. Wigan were denied a deserved three points and Rovers beleaguered manager was given a reprieve from a likely sacking for at least another week.

Wigan now move onto play Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in search of those elusive three points and a potential move way from the foot of the table.

Posted in Albert Crusat, Blackburn Rovers, Gary Caldwell, Jordi Gomez, Mohammed Diame, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Albert Crusat, Blackburn, Gary Caldwell, Jordi Gomez, Mohammed Diame, Wigan Athletic | 2 Comments