Deja vu as Latics’ dominance comes to nothing – Nottingham Forest 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on December 29, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Paul Cook

Wigan Athletic produced a dominant performance away at Nottingham Forest but once again went down to a set-piece sucker punch and remain bottom of the Championship table.

The visitors dominated possession and created numerous chances before Forest went ahead when Tobias Figueiredo was allowed to head home unchallenged from a corner in the 60th minute.

Latics were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when substitute Joe Gelhardt was brought down in the box by Alfa Semedo but Josh Windass’ tame penalty was easily saved by Brice Samba. Soon afterwards the visitors had another penalty appeal turned down when former Latic Ben Watson handled Samy Morsy’s effort in the area.

Latics had the opportunities to equalise but their inability to be clinical in the final third enabled Forest to take a fortunate three points.

Forest move up to fifth while Latics remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

Paul Cook made two changes from the team which had drawn 1-1 with Derby County on Boxing Day with Joe Williams and Gavin Massey replacing Anthony Pilkington and Michael Jacobs.

Latics started strongly, enjoying plenty of possession and producing some neat passing sequences. Forest struggled to gain a foothold despite home advantage.

The visitors first chance came on 19 minutes when Antonee Robinson got forward down the left hand side and crossed for Jamal Lowe but the striker couldn’t quite make the vital contact with his head.

Latics went close again on 28 minutes when Robinson’s cross found Williams at the near post and the midfielder’s flick crashed against the post and away to safety.

Forest were offering surprisingly little going forward and it was the visitors who were controlling the game.

As Latics continued to control the first half, they had another good opportunity when Williams right footed shot was well saved by Samba low down at his near post.

Forest’s only chance of the first half came when Lewis Grabban headed narrowly wide from a good position.

All square at the interval but Latics were crying out for a finisher to capitalise on their excellent approach play. Surely young striker Gelhardt would get his chance from the bench? But Cook didn’t make any changes at the interval.

Latics had a glorious opportunity go ahead on 58 minutes when Nathan Byrne broke quickly and outstripped the Forest defence before facing a one-on-one with Samba but the full back showed little conviction and fired wide of the target.

Two minutes later Latics were behind as Figueiredo was allowed to rise unchallenged at the near post and angle his header into the far corner of the net.

Gary Roberts replaced Massey on 62 minutes but still no sign of Gelhardt who was the obvious replacement.

When Gelhardt did finally emerge as a substitute for Lee Evans on 77 minutes he immediately made an impact.

Gelhardt went straight for the jugular dribbling into the area and was brought down by Semedo.

A fantastic opportunity for Latics to draw level but Windass’ poor spot kick was easily saved by Samba low down to his left.

Despite the massive setback Latics continued to be on top with Gelhardt at the centre of their best moves.

The 17-year-old England international’s tight control enabled him to glide into the box past several defenders before setting up Robinson whose final shot was deflected into the side netting.

A few minutes later the ball fell to Morsy on the edge of the area and the midfielder’s goal bound effort was handled by the onrushing Watson. Latics’ players surrounded referee Matt Donohue but the official harshly decided against a second penalty.

Gelhardt continued to threaten but time ran out for Latics and the youngster as they suffered yet another desperately disappointing away defeat.

Latics’ failings are for all to see but manager Cook has consistently failed to address the problems.

The manager’s reluctance to start Gelhardt is now beyond comprehension. The Young England international not only creates chances but he is a prolific finisher and it is obvious to everyone, apart from Cook, that he should play.

Latics defensive organisation has generally improved with Cedric Kipre and Kal Naismith at the centre of defence but the team have consistently conceded from set-pieces and this should have been addressed by the manager.

Windass shouldn’t take penalties. The former Rangers striker has been unable to find his scoring boots while at Latics and his pitiful spot kicks have twice proved very costly for the team. As at Millwall last season Windass was guilty of a desperately poor penalty kick when it mattered so much. He should be taken off penalty duty from now on.

Latics remain rock bottom of the Championship table, they have not won away since April and have now gone 13 games without a victory, few managers would still be in a job with such a terrible record.

Posted in Championship, Josh Windass, Nottingham Forest, Paul Cook, Tobias Figueiredo, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wasteful Latics suffer another late sickener – Wigan Athletic 1 Derby County 1

Posted on December 27, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Joe Garner

Joe Garner

Wigan Athletic once again succumbed to the obligatory late goal and have now failed to win in their last 12 matches.

Latics had dominated proceedings against an out-of-form Derby County and had deservedly taken an 81st minute lead through substitute Joe Garner. But with 93 minutes on the clock Latics failed to clear from a throw in and Martyn Waghorn fired home the equaliser to sour the home fans’ day.

This was Latics fourth draw in four games and they have now dropped to the bottom of the table on goals scored after Stoke beat Sheffield Wednesday, Derby remain 17th just six points above the relegation zone.

Paul Cook made one change to his starting eleven from the draw with Blackburn with Anthony Pilkington replacing Gavin Massey.

Latics started on the front foot and were able to create several good goal scoring opportunities against the lacklustre visitors.

Nathan Byrne forced a good save from Ben Hamer before Antonee Robinson hit the near post with Hamer well beaten.

Josh Windass then had a glorious opportunity after an excellent set-piece routine but the striker fired straight at the Derby keeper from close range.

In a rare sortie forward Curtis Davies had a great opportunity for the Rams but he directed his header into the ground and Jamie Jones was able to save comfortably.

Windass was finding plenty of space behind the Derby defence but his final shot was disappointingly well wide of the target.

All square at the break but Latics had had he better chances to be ahead.

Latics were again on top in the second half and Windass frustrated the home fans with a poor pass across the penalty area with Pilkington in prime position to turn the ball home.

Michael Jacobs then forced another good save from Hamer with the hosts looking the most likely to break the deadlock.

On 64 minutes Cook replaced the ineffective Windass and Pilkington with Garner and Joe Williams and Latics moved up another gear.

With Williams pulling the strings in midfield the hosts pushed Derby further back and after a sustained attacking spell Garner was able to acrobatically volley home from close range.

It looked as though it would be enough to take all three points but Latics’ Achilles heel is their inability to see out the game and they conceded their obligatory late goal when former Latic Martyn Waghorn fired home despite the best efforts of Cedric Kipre on the goal line.

It was a disappointing ending to what had been a pleasing performance.

Poor game management, failure to defend set-pieces and strange substitutions are all factors in the late goals conceded.

However, Latics have shown noticeable improvement over the last four games by returning to an attractive passing game.

The long ball has been eschewed and building through the thirds has been a pleasure to see.

The combination of Kipre and Kal Naismith has enabled the team to play out from the back and to build through midfield.

Full backs Robinson and Byrne have been able to get forward to create crossing opportunities and Latics have created plenty of chances although problems arise in the final third were the forwards have been profligate.

Latics do not currently have a goalscorer in the team. Windass, Lowe, Jacobs were all wasteful against Derby and have consistently failed to make their chances count this season.

Cook’s reluctance to give prolific young striker Joe Gelhardt his opportunity seems increasingly ridiculous when the team are struggling for goals.

It appears that Cook will remain as manager in the January transfer window which could be so crucial to their chances of survival.

A proven goalscorer at this level is now essential if Latics are to convert the chances they are creating.

Posted in Championship, Derby County, Joe Garner, Martyn Waghorn, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Not a Christmas classic – Blackburn Rovers 0 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on December 23, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Sammy Morsy

Samy Morsy went close for Latics

Wigan Athletic will be pleased to move off the bottom of the Championship table for Christmas but it wasn’t a classic encounter in the 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

The omens were not good prior to the game with the visitors at rock bottom against a Blackburn team who had been in very good form but Latics had the better chances on the night.

Josh Windass, Michael Jacobs, Samy Morsy and Cedric Kipre all had good opportunities to put Latics ahead although Rovers Danny Graham hit the bar and Lewis Holtby forced a good save from Jamie Jones.

Latics move above Stoke City and Rovers move up to eighth in the Championship table.

Under pressure manager Paul Cook named an unchanged team from the draw against Huddersfield Town with Kal Naismith and Kipre remaining as the centre back partnership.

The visitors started brightly and had several very good early chances. First, Gavin Massey’s cross was headed wide by Windass.

Soon afterwards, Jamal Lowe set up Jacobs on the edge of the area but the winger fired straight at Christian Walton from a good position.

Windass then had another great opportunity but after finding space he blazed high over the crossbar.

Rovers responded on the hour mark and Jones was forced into his first important save from a Darragh Lenihan header following a corner.

But Latics were still having the better of it and Lee Evans saw his header saved by Walton at the back post.

All level at the interval with Latics on top against a surprisingly subdued Rovers.

Early in the second half Naismith found Lowe with a long pass but the striker was wasteful with his effort from 25 yards.

Rovers best chance of the game came when Danny Graham’s angled header came back off the crossbar from Adam Armstrong’s right wing cross.

At the other end Morsy saw his shot heading for the top corner but it was well pushed away by Walton. Following the corner, Kipre headed powerfully on target but again it was well saved by the Rovers keeper.

Rovers suffered a setback on 68 minutes when they lost Bradley Dack to a serious knee injury after an innocuous challenge by Morsy.

Latics had further chances to take all three points when Morsy went through on goal but Derrick Williams was able to slide in to deny him.

Finally Windass’ excellent curled cross nearly found Lowe but the former Portsmouth striker couldn’t quite make contact at the back post.

Rovers substitute Lewis Holtby fired straight at Jones from a good position but the game ended all square with Latics taking most of the plaudits after an improved away showing.

Incredibly this was Latics first clean sheet in 33 matches. It was a very solid defensive display but they will need wins if they are to escape the drop.

Once again they lacked a cutting edge in the final third. They are the lowest scorers in the Championship and unless forwards Lowe, Jacobs, Massey and Windass start to find the net they will be relegated.

Posted in Blackburn Rovers, Bradley Dack, Championship, Paul Cook, Sam Morsy, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A point gained or three points lost? Wigan Athletic 1 Huddersfield Town 1

Posted on December 16, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Josh Windass Josh Windass

Relegation threatened Wigan Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town at the DW Stadium.

Latics went in search of the three points after a nine game winless run and took the lead on 43 minutes when Josh Windass produced a cool finish following a mistake by keeper Kamil Grabara.

The hosts were dominant in the first half and had the chances to increase their lead, and they might’ve doubled their advantage in the second half when Windass was again in the clear but this time Grabara made a vital save.

Latics failure to capitalise on their dominance proved crucial as the Terriers equalised with a superb strike from Karlan Grant on 70 Minutes.

Both teams spurned chances in the latter stages and Latics had to settle for a point in their battle against relegation.

Latics remain in 23rd spot while Huddersfield stay in 19th in the Championship table.

Paul Cook retained the same starting eleven from the midweek draw with West Brom.

Latics made the early running and Windass produced a dangerous low cross which was scrambled away by the Terriers.

The hosts under strength defence was performing admirably with Cedric Kipre and Kal Naismith looking comfortable in the centre.

When Huddersfield did breakthrough Grant fired straight at Jamie Jones after he was set up by Juninho Bacuna.

With half time approaching Latics were gifted the lead when Windass calmly finished after intercepting Grabara’s poor clearance.

Early in the second half Windass had a chance to double Latics’ advantage when he nearly capitalised on another mistake by Josh Simpson but this time Grabara was able to make the crucial stop.

At the other end Jones was called into action as he saved at the second attempt from Bacuna’s long range effort.

The Terriers drew level in the 70th minute after Grant cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Windass then had another good opportunity but this time his low drive from the edge of the box found the side netting.

Both teams had opportunities to win it in the latter stages. The Terriers substitute Steve Mounie had a goal bound header cleared off the line by Jamal Lowe.

Substitute Anthony Pilkington came close to giving Latics the winner but Jon Gorenc Stankovic’s late interception denied the hosts the three points they so desperately craved.

In the last two games Cook has eschewed the long ball tactics of this season and selected a team to out pass their opponents.

It has proved to be a positive move with two improved performances but their failure to be clinical in the final third is proving to be their Achilles heel.

Latics invested in strikers Kieffer Moore and Jamal Lowe for £5.5m but they have only managed three goals between them.

The club’s other forwards Josh Windass, Michael Jacobs, Gavin Massey, Joe Garner, Anthony Pilkington and the ‘time limited’ Joe Gelhardt have eight goals between them.

In comparison the Terriers striker Karlan Grant has 12 goals to his name which is more than all of Latics attacking players put together.

The lack of a proven goal scorer is likely to be their downfall in an expensively funded division.

Despite Latics’ downward trajectory the board have shown no sign of sacking Cook, so it looks as though he will take the club into the New Year.

If this is the case it will be interesting to see what resources he will be given in the January transfer window as they look to protect their Championship status.

Posted in Championship, Huddersfield Town, Josh Windass, Karlan Grant, Paul Cook, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics make a rare point against the subdued Baggies – Wigan Athletic 1 West Bromwich Albion 1

Posted on December 12, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Sammy Morsy

Samy Morsy

It was a much improved performance by Wigan Athletic against a strangely subdued West Bromwich Albion at the DW Stadium.

Latics are in the throes of an injury crisis but were far the better team on the night and should’ve secured the three points had it not been for some woeful finishing and a bizarre mistake.

The visitors who rested Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira and Hal Robson-Kanu
didn’t have a shot on target in the first half and looked unlikely to score until a Jamie Jones blunder.

Captain Samy Morsy gave Latics the lead on 50 minutes with a 35-yard drive which went into the net via the post and keeper Sam Johnstone’s back.

But the Baggies equalised rather luckily when Kal Naismith’s backpass was picked up by keeper Jamie Jones in the six-yard box and Charlie Austin converted the close range free-kick.

Latics stay in the bottom three and three points from safety while West Brom remain in second place in the Championship table.

Under pressure manager Paul Cook made seven changes to the starting eleven as Cedric Kipre, Naismith, Lee Evans, Gavin Massey, Michael Jacobs, Nathan Byrne and Josh Windass all came in for Chey Dunkley (suspended), Charlie Mulgrew (injured), Lewis Macleod, Anthony Pilkington (injured), Kieffer Moore (injured), Dujon Sterling and Joe Garner.

The odds looked stacked against the out of form Latics but they started on the front foot and created some early chances. Windass went down under a challenge from Kyle Bartley on the edge of the area and the hosts might’ve been awarded a penalty but referee Andy Davies wasn’t interested.

Latics’ best chance came when a Windass shot was only parried away by Johnstone into the path of Lowe, but the former Portsmouth striker was thwarted by an excellent point blank save from Johnstone.

Latics were well on top against the subdued visitors who on the night looked far from a promotion outfit.

Antonee Robinson’s cross created chances for both Jacobs and Lowe but neither could capitalise on the opportunity.

Latics had another shout for a penalty when Robinson’s cross shot from close range hit the hand of Bartley but once again referee Davies waved away appeals.

Massey then headed an Evans cross just over the angle of bar and post before half-time as Latics looked the only team likely to score.

Level at the interval but Latics were ahead five minutes into the second half when Morsy’s 35-yard drive first hit the post and rebounded off the goalkeeper’s back before crossing the line.

Soon afterwards, Latics almost doubled their lead when Jacobs fired against the crossbar  before Massey’s follow up header was saved by Johnstone.

With Latics looking well in control they once again pressed the self-destruct button. Naismith passed the ball back to Jones, but the keeper was taking a drink at the time and when he turned round he collected the ball with his hands, rather than clearing.

Referee Davies gave an indirect free- kick to the Baggies on the edge of the six-yard box, which was set back to Austin who fired home despite Latics having nine men and keeper Jones on the line.

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic quickly made a triple substitution with Darnell Furlong replacing Nathan Ferguson, Matheus Pereira replacing Matt Phillips and Hal Robson-Kanu replacing the goalscorer Austin.

Despite the setback and the Baggies substitutions Latics continued to have the best of it. Substitute Gary Roberts produced an excellent cross for Massey, who again had his header saved by Johnstone. Robinson then had a shot blocked before Morsy fired wide from the edge of the area.

West Brom had an appeal for a penalty when Massey’s high boot caught Conor Townsend on the edge of the box but referee Davies wasn’t in the mood to give a penalty for either team.

Latics continued to press for the winner right up to the final whistle and Lowe met a cross inside the area he looked odds on to score but he miscued his shot and the chance went begging.

Prior to the game a point against promotion contenders West Brom would have looked like a good result but on the night Latics were by far the better team and should have secured all three points.

This was a much improved performance by Latics, who had passed the ball to good effect and had eschewed Cook’s usual long ball game, but their inability to take their chances had proved costly.

Three points from nine games just isn’t good enough for survival and unless there is major change in form the club will be relegated. The crowd was well down on recent attendances and the home supporters had voted with their feet after a dreadful run of form.

The underlying problems remain but the club’s board and owners seem reluctant to make a change in manager.

Posted in Championship, Charlie Austin, Paul Cook, Sam Morsy, West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics board must act now – Luton Town 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on December 9, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Wigan Athletic Chairman Darren Royle

Wigan Athletic Chairman Darren Royle

It was another late capitulation by Wigan Athletic in the 2-1 defeat by fellow strugglers Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Latics had led until the 87th minute with a Kieffer Moore header but their abysmal away form continued as they succumbed to late goals by former Latic Callum McManaman and George Moncur.

To compound Latics’ woes Chey Dunkley was dismissed for a second bookable offence and Charlie Mulgrew limped off with an injury leaving the club with only one available centre back Cedric Kipre for the forthcoming fixture against Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

Paul Cook’s men were once again the architects of their own downfall, giving the ball away too easily, conceding ground and panicking when under pressure.

The club are now firmly in the relegation zone and look incapable of escaping the drop unless their is a change in manager.

Cook made three changes to his starting line up, with Jamie Jones replacing the injured  David Marshall, whilst Jamal Lowe and Kieffer Moore replaced Michael Jacobs and Josh Windass.

Latics were under the cosh in the early stages and the Hatters could easily have been three up in the first 10 minutes.

Andrew Shinnie blazed high over the crossbar from a great position inside the box before Dujon Sterling’s goal line clearance denied former Latic Ryan Tunnicliffe and Harry Cornick headed over from the centre of the box.

Latics were relieved not to be behind and they gradually grew into the game taking the lead on 35 minutes when Dujon Sterling’s deep cross found Moore at the back post and the Wales international striker headed home.

Latics might have added to their lead soon afterwards when Moore got on the end of another Sterling cross but this time his shot went narrowly wide of the target.

At the other end keeper Jones made two good saves to deny James Collins and Tunnicliffe an equaliser.

The Hatters continued their pressure in the second half as Latics struggled to keep possession, giving the ball away far too easily.

Cook brought Joe Gelhardt and Gavin Massey to replace the tiring Joe Garner and Anthony Pilkington in the hope that Latics might grab a second goal.

But it was the former Latic McManaman who inevitably grabbed the Hatters the equaliser. The FA Cup winner with Wigan miscued his first shot but composed himself for his second attempt and fired low into the bottom corner past several defenders and Jones.

Mulgrew limped off on 90 minutes and was replaced by Kipre, and as in recent weeks Latics started to retreat deeper into defence and show signs of panic.

In the first minute of added time Dunkley received a second yellow card for a professional foul and Latics were reduced to ten men.

In the 93rd minute the Hatters snatched the late winner when a cross from the right evaded three of Latics’ defenders and the ball fell to Moncur who lashed the ball home much to the delight of the home crowd.

Latics were down and devastated. Cook’s time at the club must surely be coming to an end. His team have taken just two points in the last eight games and have not won away from home since April. Something has to change and the manager must take the responsibility for the poor form.

Chairman Darren Royle and the board must now act in the best interests of Wigan Athletic and make the change in manager before it is too late and the club has been relegated.

Posted in Callum McManaman, Championship, Darren Royle, George Moncur, Kieffer Moore, Luton Town, Paul Cook, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cook is out of luck and out of ideas – Wigan Athletic 1 Reading 3

Posted on December 1, 2019 by ianhaspinall

Paul Cook

The time could be up for Paul Cook after another disappointing performance in the 3-1 home defeat to Reading.

Latics had led 1-0 at half time through Joe Garner’s first goal of the season but after a controversial penalty decision was given against Chey Dunkley the hosts brittle confidence was severely exposed.

Some dreadful defending allowed Reading’s George Puscas to complete a hat-trick in the space of only five minutes and put Cook’s job on the line.

Two points and no wins from the last seven games is just not good enough and there seems little indication that Cook can turn around the current form.

Latics are in the Championship relegation zone and look unlikely to escape the drop unless there is a change in manager.

Cook made two changes from the midweek 2-2 draw at Millwall with Michael Jacobs and Josh Windass coming into the  team.

Latics started brightly with Anthony Pilkington’s long range effort being tipped over the bar by Rafael.

But after an even first half hour Latics somewhat fortuitously went ahead on 35 minutes. Chey Dunkley’s header from a corner was spilled by Rafael and Garner was on hand to fire home at close range.

Latics might’ve added a second before the interval but Windass volleyed wide from a Garner cross.

Reading then had an opportunity on the stroke half-time but Puscas headed just wide from an Omar Richards free-kick.

Latics went into the interval 1-0 ahead but their second half performance left much to be desired.

Reading showed their intent early on when Garath McCleary was put through on goal but he failed to hit the target.

Windass and Pilkington then created a chance for Samy Morsy, but the captain’s shot was deflected wide from close range.

With 15 minutes remaining the game turned in Reading’s favour as Latics imploded.

Referee Jeremy Simpson awarded the visitors a penalty when Dunkley was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area and Puscas converted from the spot kick.

Latics’ players heads immediately went down and they conceded two more goals in quick succession.

Some of Latics’ fans had booed substitute Kal Naismith as he came on and this may have affected his confidence but unfortunately the player who had followed Cook from Portsmouth was partly at fault for the second and third goals.

Naismith gave the ball away in midfield and the visitors broke forward quickly and Puscas skipped past several defenders before finishing from the edge of the six yard box.

Naismith was again at fault four minutes later when he was dispossessed and Puscas grabbed his quickfire hat-trick by finishing with relative ease inside the box.

Joe Gelhardt made a rare appearance as a substitute but it was all too late by the time he had come off the bench.

Latics players left the pitch to a chorus of boos after another abject display.

Cook may bemoan the penalty decision but Latics had not been good enough. Reading had 21 shots to Latics 9 and the away team always looked more of a threat going forward.

Latics created very little in the second half and consistently lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Cook’s style of football has deteriorated this season with long ball tactics predominant, team selection has been erratic and a lack of creativity in the line-ups.

Latics have a talented England U18 striker in Gelhardt but Cook has strangely limited his appearances despite his other strikers lack of goals.

The team are in a downward spiral and Cook seemingly lacks the tactical nouse to get them away from the drop zone.

Nigel Adkins would be a good choice as manager as he fits with Latics current profile in the Championship. A former goalkeeper with the club and a Scouser, who has considerable Championship experience and did well at Hull City in his last role.

The main priority now must be to ensure that Latics are not relegated. A change will give the new manager the opportunity to stop the downward spiral, assess the playing squad and make the necessary changes in the January transfer window.

Posted in Championship, George Puscas, Joe Garner, Paul Cook, Reading, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will rare away point be enough to save Cook? Millwall 2 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on November 26, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Anthony Pilkington Anthony Pilkington on target for Latics

It wasn’t pretty but Wigan Athletic managed to secure a rare away point in a 2-2 draw at Millwall.

In a scrappy encounter dominated by route one football from both sides, it was Latics who took an early lead when Anthony Pilkington produced a sublime finish from the edge of the box. Millwall were level on 24 minutes when Shaun Hutchinson powerfully headed home from a pinpoint corner.

The visitors restored their lead on 56 minutes from a well worked build up when full back Antonee Robinson finished from a tight angle, but the hosts were not to be denied and substitute Matt Smith rose high above Robinson to head the equaliser.

Under pressure manager Paul Cook will have been relieved to see his side manage a draw after gaining only one point from the previous five games.

But Cook’s team are now in a precarious position as they slipped to 21st place in the Championship table and could be in the relegation zone if Middlesbrough defeat Barnsley on Wednesday night.

Cook made three changes from the defeat against Stoke City, with Kieffer Moore, Dujon Sterling and Pilkington all coming into the starting eleven. Cook desperately needed a good result and adopted an unlikely 4-4-2 formation with Moore and Joe Garner filling the striker roles.

Latics started on the front foot and were ahead after only two minutes when Moore’s knock down found Pilkington on the edge of the area and the midfielder produced a sublime left foot finish past Bartosz Bialkowski.

Soon afterwards Pilkington had a great chance to double the lead from another Moore knock down but this time he fired wide of the target.

The hosts gradually gained a foothold and started to have more possession, they were level on 24 minutes when Hutchinson climbed high above Charlie Mulgrew to head home a corner from Jed Wallace.

Moore might have restored Latics’ lead on 38 minutes but his header was well saved by Bialkowski at close range from a Pilkington corner.

Despite some occasional passages of good football the match was predominantly about long high balls and physical battles.

Probably the best passage of football resulted in Latics second goal. Chey Dunkley sent a long diagonal pass to Garner who chested the ball down, swivelled and laid the ball into the path of Robinson who drove the ball low past Bialkowski from a tight angle.

But the hosts were soon level as Shaun Williams was allowed far too much room on the left and his cross found substitute Smith on the penalty spot and the big striker powered his header beyond Marshall.

Millwall continued their aerial bombardment of the Latics penalty area with Smith the centrepiece of their attacks.

In an attempt to nullify the threat Cook changed formation to a 3-5-2 on 64 minutes, with Cedric Kipre replacing Pilkington in a back three.

Latics responded well and had a series of dangerous attacks, first Pilkington saw a free-kick saved by Bialkowski then Garner and Macleod both fired straight at the Millwall keeper from good positions.

They went closest to scoring when Jamal Lowe chipped to the back post for Garner and the ball nearly crossed the line but was headed away by Hutchinson.

For once there was no late winner from the opposition and Latics secured only their third away point of the season.

The style of football was not great and Latics still lack creativity but at least the players produced a committed performance and Cook looks to have kept his job, at least in the short term.

Posted in Anthony Pilkington, Antonee Robinson, Shaun Hutchinson, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are Paul Cook’s days at Wigan Athletic numbered? Stoke City 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on November 23, 2019 by ianhaspinall
Under pressure manager Paul Cook

Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook’s days must surely be numbered after another poor away performance and after conceding another late goal in the 2-1 defeat at struggling Stoke City.

Cook’s team have only won one of their last 30 away games and hover just above the Championship relegation zone. The away form is abysmal and the previously good home form has deteriorated in recent weeks. A change is surely in the offing?

Latics went in front at the Bet 365 Stadium when captain Samy Morsy capitalised on some poor defending by the hosts but in a one-sided second half they succumbed to Danny Batth’s set-piece equaliser and substitute Mame Biram Diouf’s 93rd minute winner.

Latics remain in 20th spot in the Championship table but are now only one point above the relegation drop zone and 22nd place Stoke.

Cook made four changes to the starting line-up from the 3-0 defeat at home to Brentford with Charlie Mulgrew, Joe Garner, Gavin Massey and Nathan Byrne coming into the team.

Latics were under pressure early on and were grateful to goalkeeper David Marshall for keeping them level.

Former Latic James McClean forced an excellent save from the Scotland number one before another ex Latic Nick Powell looked to have given Stoke the lead with a header but Marshall managed to tip the ball onto the cross bar.

Tom Ince blazed over for the hosts after seven minutes and it looked only a matter of time before they would take the lead but Latics somehow survived the initial onslaught.

The hosts inability to convert their chances gave Latics some hope and they had chances themselves when Jamal Lowe’s searching cross nearly found Gavin Massey at the back post and Chey Dunkley had a glorious opportunity to put them ahead from a corner but he headed narrowly wide of the target.

On 39 minutes a quick Latics counter-attack did give them the lead. Lowe broke out from defence and accelerated past several defenders and although he kicked the ball too far ahead Stoke keeper Jack Butland only kicked the ball against his own player and Morsy was able to capitalise on the keeper’s mistake for his first goal of the season.

Latics had rode their luck but were ahead at the interval and the prospects for at least a point looked promising.

But ten minutes after half time Stoke were level as Latics conceded a free-kick on the left hand side and they failed to defend the near post allowing defender Batth to score an easy equaliser.

Stoke were now exerting considerable pressure on the Latics goal and Cook went to a 4-4-2 formation, with Kieffer Moore replacing Lewis Macleod, in an attempt to change the direction of travel.

Michael Jacobs later replaced Massey and the statutory Cook substitution Kal Naismith came on for the last 10 minutes to replace Garner.

Marshall made another good save to deny Ince and Joe Allen volleyed narrowly wide on 92 minutes so it looked as though Latics might hold out for the draw, but their inability to manage out the game once again proved costly.

On 93 minutes Biram Diouf exploited some shambolic defending to gift Stoke all three points and condemn Cook’s team to yet another away defeat.

Cook’s fate is now in the balance after another defeat, the owners Next Leader Limited (NLL) and the Board of Directors may decide to give him more time with fixtures  against Millwall (A) and Reading (H) coming up, but they must decide very soon whether they want to persist with Cook and risk the prospect of relegation.

Posted in Danny Batth, Mame Biram Diouf, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Can we have our football back? How the Premier League is ruining football and what we can do about it… by John Nicholson

Posted on November 12, 2019 by ianhaspinall

Can we

In ‘Can We Have Our Football Back?’ Football365 writer John Nicholson produces a coruscating attack on the excesses of the Premier League and provides an optimistic blueprint for a football revolution.

Nicholson wants to put an end to the Premier League, an end to the financial model upon which it is founded, an end to paywall TV, and an end to the astronomical wages, transfer fees and agents fees.

He wants to see a more sane, less abusive, more competitive, more fun and less venal competition, which puts fans at the centre of everything and works for the advantage of everyone, not just a tiny elite.

Sky TV is the main reason why the Premier League is awash with money but the perceived view that football on subscription TV is reaching a wide audience is misleading. Nicholson explains that football behind a paywall isn’t popular and really doesn’t get big audiences.

For example, in 2019 the Liverpool v Fulham game was shown on Sky and watched by 1.5m people. At the same time the BBC was showing Millwall versus Brighton in the FA Cup, which was watched by an audience of 4.4m people.

The vast majority of homes in the UK do not have Sky subscriptions. Sky gets 1-2m viewers per game for Premier League games and about 750,000 if the game is between two smaller clubs.

Currently only about 4% of the population have a Sky subscription. Nicholson’s stone cold truth is that the majority of the football public simply rejects the idea of paying to watch football. He states that if we want football to reach the general public it should be restored to terrestrial TV.

One of the main problems with the Premier League is that it is no longer competitive with the top six dominating. But before the Premier League existed, things were different.

The league was much more competitive and less predictable. You had no idea who was going to win the title, and in many ways, even better than that, you had no idea who would finish in the European places.

Sadly money is now the foremost factor in the Premier League and it taints the sport, making it hard to disagree with Nicholson’s analysis.

The style of writing can be a little disconcerting at times and may not be to everyone’s liking but it’s still an absorbing read. Nicholson interviews players, journalists and broadcasters about what is wrong with the Premier League and puts together some compelling arguments about the need for change.

Nicholson has a long list of commendable reforms which will transform football, but the initial catalyst will be the collective boycott of paywall TV when everyone cancels their direct debits.

Some may regard Nicholson as an idealist whose ideas will never come to fruition but there is an increasing mood for change as fans are becoming disenchanted with the predictability of the Premier League and the obscene amounts of money involved.

Can we have our football back? How the Premier League is ruining football and what we can do about it… by John Nicholson, Published by Head Publishing, Price £10.

This review first appeared in the November/December edition of Late Tackle magazine.

Posted in Book Reviews, John Nicholson, Late Tackle magazine, Premier League, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments