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

Posted on November 27, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Wheel of Fortune

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 , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted on November 20, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Jones fouls Robinson

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 , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is it too early to mention the ‘R’ word? Wolves 3 Wigan 1

Posted on November 7, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Doyle and Alcaraz compete

Another disappointing day at Wolves

It was another disappointing outing for the Latics on Sunday as they succumbed to a mediocre Wolves team at Molineux. Both teams were desperate to overcome a run of poor results to climb away from the bottom of the table, but it was Wolves who emerged victorious in this ‘six pointer’.

Tension was evident amongst both sets of players and supporters during the early exchanges. Wigan had been matching the home team for possession, but then in the 21st minute, the complexion of the game changed around two significant moments. Firstly Hugo Rodallega missed a gilt-edged chance to score and put Wigan ahead when he shot wide with only Wayne Hennessey to beat. Then only 30 seconds later, Wolves went down the other end and scored as Jamie O’Hara expertly swept in Kevin Doyle’s centre.

Wigan reacted well and created several opportunities before Stephen Hunt fouled Emmerson Boyce and conceded a penalty. Ben Watson’s penalty was initially pushed out by Wayne Hennessey, but Watson followed up to equalise.

Surely it would be game on and Wigan’s controlled passing game would start to impose itself.

But it was not to be, as early in the second half Wolves regained their lead, Karl Henry skipped past Steve Gohouri to get to the byline before crossing into the six-yard box. Al-Habsi saved from Hunt at point-blank range and then brilliantly denied O’Hara, before Edwards crashed home with the Wigan defenders in disarray.

The crucial third goal was not dissimilar, Matt Jarvis breaking down the same left flank shrugging off Boyce and cutting back for Edwards, whose shot was blocked by Alcaraz. Al-Habsi then thwarted O’Hara and Ward pounced on the loose ball to make it 3-1.

Ali Al-Habsi was once again excellent in the Wigan goal and made a string of great saves, with one in particular from Berra in the miraculous category.

Wigan created three good chances late on with Sammon’s flick and Gohouri’s header saved by Hennessey and Mohamed Diamé shooting into the side-netting.

As per the Fulham game the key statistics show that Wigan had been the better team. Shots All Attempts – Wigan 17 to Wolves 13. Possession – Wigan 51.5% to Wolves 48.5%. Passes Completed – Wigan 78% to Wolves 69%*. But once again Wigan’s failure is in not taking the chances created.

There is a rumour circulating that Martinez doesn’t spend enough time coaching the strikers, but even if this were true, for most strikers goal scoring is an instinctive thing. The crucial point to be made is that we don’t have a consistent goal scorer in the squad, we haven’t got a fifteen goals a season player to call on. So far this season Franco Di Santo has scored three, but Rodallega, Moses, and Sammon have yet to score.

We need someone who can finish, Boselli was supposed to be the answer but unfortunately he was an expensive mistake. January and the transfer window is still a long way off, so we need to look for solutions in-house.

Playing Conor Sammon in place of the out-of-form Hugo Rodallega is a likely option and adopting a more positive attacking approach will be required if we are to get anything from the Blackburn game. Getting more players into attacking positions will be crucial.

Some would argue that Martinez is at fault for the style of football and for picking the players. But the players are capable of much better and they need to take responsibility for the results. In many ways Martinez has been let down by their inability to finish and some desperately poor defending.

Following the game, TV evidence showed Antolin Alcaraz spitting at Richard Stearman after an altercation in the Wolves penalty box. The FA are now likely to suspend Alcaraz for three matches. Alcaraz’s indiscipline is typical of how the Wigan players have pressed the self-destruct button this season.

Unless the players take more responsibility, take their chances and be professional on the pitch we may have to start talking about the dreaded ‘R’ word.

* Match Stats supplied by 442 Stats Zone

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Antolin Alcaraz, Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic, Wolves | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Daylight Robbery at the DW Stadium – Wigan 0 Fulham 2

Posted on October 30, 2011 by ianhaspinall

Wigan badgeFulham badge

Wigan slumped to their seventh consecutive Premier League defeat as Fulham undeservedly snatched the points on Saturday. The home team dominated possession throughout and created numerous chances against a Fulham team who had previously not won away on their travels this season.

Wigan started in positive fashion with David Jones going close twice before Ben Watson drew an excellent fingertip save from Mark Schwarzer. Soon after Gary Caldwell had a free header from a corner and Victor Moses deflected shot was luckily saved by Schwarzer’s foot.

It was looking as if it was only a matter of time before we scored. However, against the run of play it was Fulham who broke the deadlock. Bobby Zamora chased a long ball out of defence and crossed for Clint Dempsey to score despite Al-Habsi getting a hand to the ball. The team in blue went into the half-time break wondering how they were behind.

The second half started in similar fashion with the Latics almost permanently camped in the Fulham half. Victor Moses hit the angle of post and crossbar and Maynor Figueroa the post with Schwarzer well beaten on both occasions. In between these attempts Zamora had produced a minor respite for the Cottagers when his shot clipped the top of the crossbar.

Martinez made a couple of tactical changes by withdrawing Boyce and Crusat and introducing Stam and Di Santo. Wigan’s territorial dominance continued but the final killer pass and finish was not forthcoming. In the dying minutes, as we pressed for an equaliser, Dembele broke through the defence unchallenged before placing his shot past Al-Habsi to complete the scoring.

The statistics show that the result was a travesty of justice, Wigan had dominated the game with 19 shots against Fulham’s 6. Possession was 62/38 in Wigan’s favour.

Roberto Martinez was understandably incredulous in the post-match interviews. How had Wigan contrived to lose despite such domination? Martin Jol conceded that Wigan had at least deserved to get an equaliser. But also made it clear that taking your chances is so critical at this level.

In looking at the two sides, it is evident that Fulham have several players who will regularly score goals in the Premier League, Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey. Whereas Wigan are still struggling to find a regular goalscorer. This season we have only scored six goals with Di Santo grabbing three, Diame two and Watson one, with both Rodallega and Moses yet to score.

In the last two games in particular we have created numerous chances but unless we have the forwards who can finish, we will continue to struggle. It is now becoming critical that we find a player who can finish off the numerous chances that we are creating.

Following the defeat the keyboard warriors were out in force on Saturday night – full of vitriol and looking for a scapegoat. Roberto Martinez is their main target, a man who is demonized for not doing as they say, a manager who is apparently ruining their Saturday afternoons.

Yet these people have little understanding of professional football, the tactics, the finances and the responsibilities involved.

It is important that these keyboard warriors should not be given any credence, their attempts to drive Martinez out of the club should be treated with disdain.

Roberto Martinez will be hurting after this result. There is no doubt that he has the best interests of the club at heart and he will do everything in his power to turn around our current form.

We have gone through similar bad spells in the past and there is no reason why we can’t get through this current period and kick-start our season.

Next up are Wolves, another team struggling for points, something has got to give, let’s hope it’s a win for Wigan and a turning point in our season.

Posted in Fulham, Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Time for the fans to get a sense of perspective

Posted on October 21, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Dave Whelan and Roberto Martinez

Dave Whelan and Roberto Martinez

Some of the recent vitriolic comments about Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez and chairman Dave Whelan really do beggar belief. The abuse and personal insults aimed at the manager and chairman now verge on the ridiculous. The Internet Warriors (nothing to do with our Rugby friends) who pen their missives about Martinez and Whelan’s misdemeanours in biblically cataclysmic terms need to get a sense of perspective.

As a group of fans we have been very privileged to enjoy Wigan’s rise through the leagues and the great days we have had in the Premier League. Not many clubs can point to such a meteoric rise, and also to the fact that ‘Little Wigan’ have managed to stay in the top flight for seven seasons.

Obviously we are currently going through a difficult period on the pitch, with injuries and an unprecedented number of individual mistakes proving costly, but the manager and his coaching staff are desperately working to get us back on track.

Despite what the doubters might say, Roberto Martinez has an excellent track record in football management. As Swansea manager he led the Swans to one promotion and the verge of a second, and at Wigan he has maintained Premier League status for the past two seasons while also managing to reduce what was an unsustainable wage bill.

At 38, Roberto is still one of the youngest managers in the Premier League, with a long career ahead of him. Last season as we battled to avoid relegation he was surely the calmest manager of those in trouble and he always stuck to his footballing beliefs. When he has had to deal with difficult players his man management skills have been exemplary.

Roberto has continually demonstrated his commitment to the club and after turning down the Aston Villa job in the summer his loyalty shouldn’t be questioned.

Dave Whelan may not be universally liked for his ‘rent-a-quote’ approach to media relations, but his contribution to Wigan Athletic has been nothing less than remarkable.

Whelan’s reign can only be regarded as a major success, promotion to the Premier League seemed an impossible dream when he took over in 1995. A long stay in the Prem and a 25,000 capacity seater seemed like a fantasy scenario back then.

When he leaves the club he will have left the club with a great legacy and the fans should thank him for that.

Yet many of the rabid critics seem to want Martinez and Whelan out of the club now. They seem to have no understanding of modern football, the history of Wigan Athletic or the current financial parameters which we have to work within.

As Dave Whelan has often said, if someone wants to come forward with the financial resources required to run the club, he will happily make way. Whelan would prefer someone with the long-term best interests of the club at heart, but the danger is that whoever takes over the club after Whelan will either not have the financial wherewithal or will only be interested in asset stripping.

Wigan may, or may not survive in the Premier League this season, but it will not be for the want of trying by the manager and the chairman. The constant carping by some so-called fans certainly doesn’t help the club’s efforts to survive.

All true Wigan Athletic supporters need to get behind the team tomorrow at Newcastle and in the future.

Posted in Dave Whelan, Newcastle United, Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Defensive gaffes prove costly for Latics – Wigan 1 Bolton 3

Posted on October 16, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Wigan Athletic badge

Keep the faith

Post match there have been some ridiculously ill-considered comments from Wigan fans about Roberto Martinez, but the real reason for this latest set back were some shocking individual defensive mistakes.

The facts are that Antolin Alcaraz and Steve Gohouri’s three howlers are the main reason why Wigan lost this match, in what was otherwise a closely fought encounter.

Martinez will be devastated by the current catalogue of individual defensive mistakes. Against Spurs the Latics defence pushed the self destruct button by giving their opponents a two goal lead and this time Alcaraz and Gohouri showed a remarkable naivety by gifting the Trotters three more goals.

The first goal came after just four minutes as Alcaraz lost possession while trying to dribble past two Bolton attackers and then just as Wigan had drawn level through Momo Diame’s excellent strike, Gohouri presented Kevin Davies with the ball, before David N’Gog scored Bolton’s second. Very few teams can expect to compete at the top-level when the opposition are regularly gifted goals.

Wigan were the more positive team at the beginning of the second half as Rodallega and Figueroa replaced Gohouri and Watson. There were some excellent interchanges between Rodallega, Moses and Diame. Indeed Victor Moses had several good chances and could have scored on three occasions.

However, an equaliser was not to be as the Latics just ran out of steam. Bolton created a couple of clear-cut opportunities and Gary Caldwell conceded a penalty as he was adjudged to have pushed Boyata. Fortunately Ali Al-Habsi guessed correctly to save Kevin Davies penalty before Alcaraz once again recklessly presented the ball to Chris Eagles to make the game safe at 3-1 to the Wanderers.

It is fair to say that some of Wigan’s players have been under performing and injuries to Alcaraz, Rodallega and Boyce have restricted the manager’s options.

However, Martinez should not be held responsible for the crazy individual mistakes that have peppered the opening fixtures. Now is not the time to panic with only eight games played. The individual players are well aware of their errors and the manager will make it clear that they must wipe out such basic mistakes.

With Alcaraz, Rodallega and Boyce returned to the team the manager now has more options available and if we can eradicate the individual mistakes, there is no reason why we can’t make progress up the league table.

Posted in Antolin Alcaraz, Bolton Wanderers, Roberto Martinez, Steve Gohouri, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it time for a football revolution?

Posted on October 6, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Che Guevara

Football revolution

The opening games of the new Premier League season have demonstrated that the gap between the mega rich teams and the rest is now increasing.

With only seven games played the Big Guns are way ahead. Manchester United have won six and drawn one, scoring 24 goals and conceding only five, City have also won six and drawn one, scoring 23 and conceding five. Chelsea in third spot have scored a relatively modest 17 and conceded eight.

Newcastle have risen to the heady heights of fourth spot, but there is little expectation of a move into the top three and virtually no one expects them to be there come the end of the season.

Even the merely rich are finding it hard to compete, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal already know that winning the league is beyond them.

Other clubs like Sunderland have spent significant sums of money (approximately £115 million) trying to get near the top table, but they are now starting to realise that this is insufficient when the top three are spending unimaginable sums of money on transfers and salaries.

What is the point of having a league, in which after only seven matches, only three teams can win the title?

The league is no longer a real competition, it is now a three-horse race from the first kick of the season.

In fact, ever since the Premier League started in 1992 only four teams have won the league. Manchester United have won it 12 times, Arsenal and Chelsea three each and Blackburn once, way back in 1994.

In recent years the dominance of Chelsea and Manchester United has meant that no club other than these two has won the Premier League since 2004 and, as of May 2011, 20 of the last 27 major domestic trophies have gone to either Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford.

I know many United, City and Chelsea fans will not like this said but the Premier League is no longer a competition in any true sense. It is now for the glorification of the top table, those mega greedy clubs who gorge themselves with increasingly obscene demonstrations of wealth and success.

Roman Abramovitch, Sheikh Mansour and the Glazer family have pumped incredible sums into their chosen teams paying massive transfer fees and wages in the process. Spending £50m on a transfer fee and £250,000 a week wages is seemingly pocket-money for those with unimaginable wealth.

Many fans of other clubs in the Premier League are disenchanted with the current disparities and are starting to turn away from attending matches. Many in the Football League have given up hope of ever reaching the Premier League because the distribution of funds within the football pyramid is too locked into the top teams.

So how do we resolve the current impasse and create a football environment where there is a fair and real competition.

Here’s my list of potential ways to revolutionize the Premier League and football in general.

1. A salary cap to limit on the amount of money a team can spend on player salaries. The limit could exist as a per-player limit or a total limit for the squad, or both. Several sports leagues have implemented salary caps, both as a method of keeping overall costs down, and to ensure parity between teams, so the same mega rich teams cannot maintain dominance by signing many more top players than their rivals. There would be clear benefits derived from salary caps – promotion of parity between teams, and control of the clubs costs. A salary cap has been implemented effectively in both Rugby League and Union for some time.

2. Limit transfer fees as well as salaries. The huge transfer fees paid are currently obscene at a time of global economic meltdown. Players should be rewarded for their efforts but frankly the transfer fees (of which the player gets a cut) and salaries are completely out of synchronicity with the rest of society.

The public are getting increasingly frustrated with the exorbitant transfer fees and salaries. Clubs could invest their resources in youth development and demonstrate a long-term approach for the good of the clubs themselves and for football in general. Many Premier League clubs have spent excessively trying to keep up with the mega rich and this has only led them into financial difficulties and in some case even administration.

3. Give cash incentives for home-grown players. Extra resources could be given to clubs with home-grown players in their squads up to a maximum number. This would promote youth development and in turn provide benefits for the home nations international teams.

4. Share the TV money more equally amongst Premiership teams and give a greater share of money to clubs in the Football League. This would ensure that the football pyramid is secure and that the smaller clubs, who are often the lifeblood of many communities, are able to thrive and develop new footballing talent.

5. Premier League footballers contracts should stipulate that they donate a small percentage of their income to local charities and good causes and that they help out at local schools and hospitals on a regular basis. This would help the players to understand how privileged they are and it would ground them in the local communities which support them.

If we want a sport that is truly competitive and that supporters can be proud of, it is about time we revolutionized football. All football fans need to be lobbying their clubs and the football authorities to make the changes.

Now is the time for a change.

Viva la revolution!

Posted in Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Roman Abramovich, Spurs, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Two halves to every story – Wigan Athletic 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Posted on September 26, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Man of the Match - Mohammed Diame

Man of the Match - Mohammed Diame

In a game of two halves, Latics shambolic defending characterised the first and their fighting spirit was foremost in the second. Wigan were woeful in the first half with misplaced passes, defensive blunders and a lack of attacking ideas. Spurs dominated possession creating numerous chances and scoring twice through Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale.

Wigan’s defending had been poor last week against Everton but this week the defensive blunders verged on the farcical. The first goal was handed to Spurs on a plate after only three minutes as first Caldwell played a poor pass to Figueroa who then played an even worse ball into the path of Adebayor who fed van der Vaart to finish in clinical fashion. The second goal came on 23 minutes from a corner as Bale headed home unchallenged by his marker Figueroa.

However, the second half was a different story. Ronnie Stam replaced the ineffective Jordi Gomez and Wigan started the half in positive fashion. Roberto’s teamtalk had certainly done the trick and instigated a spirited response from his players. Wigan no longer allowed Spurs time on the ball and Mo Diame in particular gave the Spurs midfielders a torrid time. It was no surprise when Wigan’s man of the match pulled one back after Assou-Ekotto had failed to clear.

Wigan’s passing and movement was much improved and they could sense that they had the upper hand. Unfortunately just as Wigan were building up a momentum, Steve Gohouri was red carded for a second bookable offence. His challenge on Gareth Bale was reckless rather than malicious but it was a fair decision by the Referee.

Both sides still had chances to win the game before the end, a deflected free kick by Younes Kaboul hitting the Wigan bar and James McArthur having a golden opportunity to play in Ronnie Stam for the equaliser, but it was not to be.

Wigan’s second half performance showed the spirit within the camp which augurs well for the future. But there are still major questions about our defensive capabilities. Alcaraz and Boyce have been sorely missed and Figueroa and Caldwell continue to struggle. A significant improvement will be required in this area if we are to get anything from our next game at Villa Park.

Posted in Mohammed Diame, Roberto Martinez, Spurs, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Injury crisis deepens as Everton expose defensive frailties

Posted on September 19, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Hugo Rodallega

Hugo Rodallega

Off the pitch Wigan Athletic are now debt free, but on the pitch the season took a downturn as Everton overcame them 3-1 at Goodison Park. Not only did they lose the game, but they also lost striker Hugo Rodallega with a serious knee ligament injury which could rule him out until Christmas.

Rodallega is crucial to Wigan’s attacking play and his creative and goalscoring abilities will be sorely missed as we enter a difficult period for the club.

Latics are already without key defender Antolin Alcaraz for three months, plus there are injuries to Emmerson Boyce, Steve Gohouri and Mohammed Diame to contend with. Wigan do not have the strength in-depth of the bigger clubs and injuries to key players will severely restrict their options over the coming months.

For much of the game on Saturday Latics looked like they might take a point against opponents somewhat lacking in confidence, but two late goals by substitutes Vellios and Drenthe took the three points for the Toffees.

Latics took the lead through another deflected goal by Franco Di Santo. That’s three deflected goals for Di Santo this season, but the Wigan fans won’t care if all his goals are deflected, as long as he keeps on scoring.

But almost as soon as the fans had sat down from celebrating the goal Everton equalised. Wigan’s vulnerability from set pieces is clear to see, Everton’s corner was headed against the bar by Tim Cahill, who easily got in between central defenders Gary Caldwell and Maynor Figueroa, and Phil Jagielka was left unmarked to poke home the rebound.

The second Everton goal was a similar affair, a good cross into the box by Hibbert and Apostolos Vellios muscled his way between Caldwell and Figueroa to head home. The third goal came from a route one pass which Figueroa, Caldwell and Lopez all failed to cut out and Drenthe finished comfortably.

Without Alcaraz and Boyce the defence looks ill at ease, Lopez and Caldwell both had disappointing games, Figueroa is much better at full back, only debutant loanee Patrick Van Aanholt excelled at left back.

Caldwell may be a good leader but his performances this season have been lacklustre, his distribution is poor and he lacks pace. Lopez is still young, but he is struggling to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.

The defensive frailties are for all to see and now that we have lost Rodallega our attacking options have been severely curtailed.

Boyce and Diame may be fit for our next game, but I’m afraid to say that without Alcaraz and Rodallega we will still have our work cut out, as we face an in form Spurs who demolished an expensively assembled Liverpool team 4-0 on Saturday.

Posted in Adrian Lopez, Everton, Franco Di Santo, Gary Caldwell, Hugo Rodallega, Patrick Van Aanholt, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Not a level playing field? Manchester City 3 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 11, 2011 by ianhaspinall
Etihad Stadium

Etihad Stadium

Wigan fans should not be too despondent after this 3-0 defeat to the über wealthy Manchester City. On this form City are potential Premier League champions and many teams will suffer much heavier defeats at the Etihad Stadium.

City played some world-class football with Sergio Aguero scoring a hat trick, and in all honesty it could have been five or six apart from some slack finishing by City and some great goalkeeping by Ali Al-Habsi.

Al-Habsi saved a penalty from the out of sorts Carlos Tevez and pulled off a string of fine saves to deny a rampant City.

David Silva and Aguero in particular interlinked so effectively that City were unplayable at times.

Some Wigan players were maybe too in awe of their wealthy rivals but City’s attacking options are legion, Tevez, Aguero, Silva, Dzeko, Johnson, Milner, Ballotelli, very few teams will cope against such strength in-depth.

Yet despite the festival atmosphere amongst the City fans, the team’s success is somewhat tainted by their incredible wealth.

The underlying feeling amongst many Wigan fans and neutrals is that City’s huge wealth is creating an apartheid in the Premier League.

City, United and Chelsea are on a different financial level than the rest. This can’t be good for the future of the game and some would even prefer a separation of these teams to create a more competitive league for the rest.

A similar problem has emerged in the Primera Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid being so far of the rest that the other teams are now seeking a re-balancing of the financial resources by re-drawing the TV deal to make the league competitive again.

The gap between the mega rich teams and the rest continues to grow. A radical solution is required if we want a truly competitive Premier League in England.

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment