Let's Hang On

Latics fail to capitalise on first half dominance – Swansea City 2 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on December 30, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Joe Garner

In a game of two halves Latics allowed the Swans to come back from 2-0 down and secure an unlikely draw.

The visitors had dominated the opening half and should have been out of sight by the interval.

They went ahead after only eight minutes when Joe Garner converted from the penalty spot and he added a second with a header from a corner on 33 minutes.

Latics looked to be in complete control but after the Swans made changes at half time they fought back to deny Latics a second away win of the season.

Swansea were on top in the second half and drew level with two goals from corners as Mike van der Hoorn headed home on 82 minutes after Dan Burn had unfortunately conceded an own goal in his final appearance for Latics.

Latics stay 19th in the Championship table four points above the drop zone while Swansea remain 13th.

Paul Cook made two changes to the staring eleven at West Bromwich Albion with Lee Evans and Darron Gibson returning in place of Callum Connolly and Josh Windass.

Latics’ Man of the Match at the Hawthorns Callum McManaman and striker Will Grigg both surprisingly remained on the bench.

Latics went ahead after only eight minutes after Kal Naismith was fouled in the area by Wayne Routledge and Garner converted the spot kick.

Latics were getting forward in numbers and captain Samy Morsy had a shot blocked before Lee Evans twice went close with a volley and a header.

It seemed only a matter of time before Latics would add to their lead as Naismith was denied by Erwin Mulder and Chey Dunkley had an attempt cleared off the goal-line.

But in the 33rd minute Garner doubled the lead when he headed home from a corner.

Naismith should’ve added a third just before interval but he dragged his effort wide of Mulder’s left hand post.

The Swans manager Graham Potter made two changes at half time changing the formation and they were soon causing Latics problems through Jason Montero.

The Swans pulled a goal back from a set-piece delivery which deflected off Burn and past Christian Walton.

The hosts were now on top as Latics retreated into defence.

Oli McBurnie had a near post effort off target and Bersant Celina shot just over from 25 yards.

But with just nine minutes remaining the Swans drew level as van der Hoorn got free in the area to score from a corner that Latics felt should never have been given.

Ultimately it was a frustrating afternoon for Latics who should’ve secured all three points after a dominant first half against an abject Swansea.

Latics’ high press in the opening period had been very effective but their failure to convert their numerous chances proved costly.

The Swans resurgence in the second half gradually wore them down although the hosts were somewhat lucky to draw level from a corner which shouldn’t have been given.

Posted in Championship, Joe Garner, Swansea City, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Championship, Joe Garner, Swansea City, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment

Latics Review of the Year – Part 2

Posted on December 29, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Paul Cook

It’s been a Jekyll and Hyde start to life back in the Championship as we approach the turn of the year. Latics exceeded many people’s expectations by making an excellent opening to the campaign producing some impressive performances including a superb 3-0 away win at Stoke City.

In September they moved up to seventh place in the Championship table after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Hull City. But an unfortunate spate of injuries to attacking players and some poor away performances meant they have slipped down the table.

One of the most dispiriting displays was away at Millwall against a team who were struggling in the relegation zone. Latics had performed superbly winning 1-0 against title favourites West Bromwich Albion at home on the previous Saturday but this performance was the antithesis.

They were completely out of sorts, but in spite of Millwall’s overall dominance, they went ahead with an own goal just before half time.

Latics were then gifted the chance to double their lead when James Vaughan was brought down in the box, but Josh Windass wasted the golden opportunity blazing the penalty high over the crossbar.

Probably their worst performance of the season was against local rivals Preston North End were they were defeated 4-0. It was a chastening defeat for Latics who had made such a bright start to their Championship campaign against a team who had been bottom of the table before kick off.

However, the home form continued to impress with a convincing 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers.

Man of the Season so far, Reece James scored a superb free kick against Leeds United in November but the unbeaten home run came to an end with an unfortunate mistake by Christian Walton.

The takeover of the club by the International Entertainment Corporation (IEC) was completed at the beginning of November.

The change in ownership from Dave Whelan to IEC meant the end of an era for the club. Whelan’s time in charge had been a golden period and it will be a hard for the club to ever reach those heights again.

To climb through the divisions and to establish themselves in the Premier League for eight years, reach a League Cup Final, win an FA Cup Final and qualify for the Europa League is an almost unbelievable achievement.

Whelan and his grandson David Sharpe have steered the club for the last 23 years and now another family duo with the backing of IEC will have a big say in the future of Latics.

Former England international footballer Joe Royle has become a Director of the club and son Darren will be Executive Chairman.

The January transfer window will provide a strong indication of IEC’s intentions and whether they are prepared to invest in the team.

The contract of captain Samy Morsy has now been secured by IEC but it will be interesting to see if Nick Powell and Nathan Byrne are also offered improved deals.

Latics may not have the resources of some of the big championship clubs but investment in the team is now required just to maintain their Championship status.

The squad has been badly hit by injuries this season and is in need of reinforcements. Michael Jacobs has been unavailable for a considerable time, Nick Powell is out until January, Dan Burn will move to Brighton in the new year and full back Antonee Robinson is out until February.

Latics will certainly need a left back, centre half and probably another attacking player in the January window.

Joe Royle still has close links with Everton and this could prove beneficial in the loan market. Latics already have Callum Connolly and Antonee Robinson at the club but with Lee Evans loan from Sheffield United becoming permanent and Dan Burn joining Brighton they will have more loan spots available.

Latics away form, only one win all season, is very poor and the performance at Portman Road was deeply worrying.

The team produced one of their worst performances of the season to succumb 1-0 to the Championship’s bottom club Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys had been without a win at home all season but Latics allowed a team which was low on form and confidence to grab all three points.

Unfortunately as we approach the new year the good home form now seems to have deserted them as well.

Paul Cook said after the recent Birmingham City home defeat that it was the lowest point in his 18 month tenure. His team are currently out of sorts and out of ideas.

There has been little creativity from the centre of the park and they are sorely missing the injured Nick Powell.

The manager must take responsibility for the ineffective long ball tactics used in the last few games and he must get the team back to the passing football that was so integral to their success at the beginning of the season.

The players need to step up to the challenge and the manager must return to his winning formula or they will become embroiled in a relegation fight.

Callum McManaman was a shining light at West Bromwich Albion with a Man of the Match display and if he can link up with Will Grigg and Gavin Massey it does give us some optimism for the forthcoming games.

Cook is very capable of turning around the team’s fortunes but the pressure is growing on the manager to quickly halt the slide down the table.

Posted in Championship, Dave Whelan, David Sharpe, International Entertainment Corporation, Paul Cook, Reece James, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Championship, Dave Whelan, David Sharpe, IEC, Paul Cook, Reece James, Wigan Athletic | 2 Comments

Slip Slidin’ Away – West Bromwich Albion 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on December 27, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic slipped nearer to the Championship drop zone with another away defeat, this time at promotion contenders West Bromwich Albion.

Jay Rodriguez grabbed a goal in each half as the Baggies moved up to third place in the Championship table.

Latics struggled to contain the Baggies in the first half and they went ahead after only eight minutes when Rodriguez found time and space in the box to place his header past Christian Walton.

Latics were much improved in the second half and particularly after the introduction of substitute Callum McManaman on 54 minutes, but just when it looked like the visitors might equalise Rodriguez smashed home a volley from 25 yards to consolidate the Baggies advantage.

The visitors might have reduced the arrears late on when Reece James’ audacious free kick deceived Baggies Sam Johnstone but much to the keeper’s relief the ball struck the base of the post.

Paul Cook made four changes from the defeat to Birmingham City, with Chey Dunkley returning at centre back and Dan Burn moving to left back. Gavin Massey started on the wing, Callum Connolly came into midfield and Joe Garner started up front.

Latics had an early shout for a penalty when Josh Windass went down in the box but referee Robert Jones wasn’t interested in the appeals.

On eight minutes Latics fell behind when Dwight Gayle’s cross found the unmarked Rodriguez who placed his header into the corner of the net.

Gayle went off soon afterwards with a hamstring strain and was replaced by substitute Hal Robson-Kanu but the Baggies continued to cause Latics’ shaky defence plenty of problems.

Robson-Kanu forcing an excellent low save from Walton at his near post after 19 minutes.

The Latics’ keeper made another top quality save 10 minutes later, when Harvey Barnes’ deflected looping cross looked destined for the net until Walton’s late intervention.

Latics were probably a little lucky to be only one down at the interval and it was obvious that changes needed to be made at half time. Windass and Garner had been particularly ineffective but Cook left it until 54 minutes before withdrawing Windass and introducing McManaman following the chants of the Latics fans.

The FA Cup winner proceeded to have his best game since returning to the club, tormenting the Baggies defence and creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.

Albion full back Kieran Gibbs was soon in the referee’s book for fouling McManaman and their captain Jake Livermore soon followed for another foul on the winger.

From the resulting free kick, James’ delivery found Massey at the back post, but his rising shot just cleared the Baggies crossbar.

Walton produced another top drawer save to deny Harvey Barnes’ effort from distance, but he couldn’t prevent Rodriguez’s second goal soon afterwards when the striker’s 25-yard volley smashed into the Latics’ net.

Lee Evans replaced the tiring Massey on 76 minutes and Will Grigg replaced the ineffective Garner a minute later.

McManaman continued to terrorise the Albion back line and despite only playing less than half the game he was the Latics Man of the Match along with Reece James.

James nearly pulled a goal back on 86 minutes with an audacious free kick, curling the ball low around the defensive wall and deceiving the Baggies keeper but unfortunately hitting the base of the post.

McManaman was almost unplayable and when he turned several defenders in the penalty area it looked as though he would score but Ahmed Hegazi managed to deflect the ball off target.

McManaman then teed up Grigg at the back post but the substitute couldn’t quite get enough power on his header to beat Johnstone.

Latics are on a worryingly poor run of form and are now only four points off the relegation zone at the half way point in the season.

A much improved second half performance by Latics was instigated by the creativity and trickery of McManaman. The enigmatic winger must surely now be given a starting place against Swansea City on Saturday.

It is easy in retrospect to criticise team selections, but Paul Cook’s decision to persist with the ineffective Windass and the selection of Joe Garner was a mistake at the Hawthorns.

It is now time to re-evaluate his attacking line-up with Will Grigg the obvious choice to come in alongside McManaman at the Liberty Stadium.

Posted in Jay Rodriguez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Callum McManaman, Championship, Jay Rodriguez, West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment

Dire day at the DW – Wigan Athletic 0 Birmingham City 3

Posted on December 23, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Dan Burn had a disappointing last home game for the club

It was another abject performance by Wigan Athletic as they crashed to a 3-0 home defeat to Birmingham City.

Josh Windass had an early opportunity to give Latics the lead but it was Che Adams who put the Blues in front after 26 minutes combining well with his strike partner Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Michael Morrison added a second following some poor Latics defending at a corner just before half time.

Windass had a glorious opportunity to reduce the deficit with a header in the second half but the points were sealed when Jacques Maghoma headed home the third for the visitors from Jutkiewicz’s assist.

Birmingham moved up to eighth in the table four points outside the play-offs after an accomplished away display.

Latics’ early season good form has now deserted them with only one win in their last 10 outings. The team are now only six points above the drop zone and if they don’t halt their descent down the table they will be dragged into a relegation scrap.

Paul Cook made two changes to the starting eleven from the defeat at Ipswich with James Vaughan and Kal Naismith returning. Vice captain Dan Burn was playing his last home game for the club before his move to Brighton and Hove Albion in January.

Josh Windass had a great opportunity in only the third minute when he broke quickly past the Blues defence but from a good position he failed to hit the target.

Gary Roberts then dribbled his way past three Blues defenders but saw his dangerous cross cleared away at the vital moment.

Latics were looking shaky in defence however and when Jutkiewicz and Adams linked up well on the edge of the penalty area the former Sheffield United striker Adams finished past Christian Walton.

Latics had a penalty appeal turned down soon afterwards when Cedric Kipre appeared to be tripped in the area but referee Ross Joyce waved away the appeals.

Naismith forced a good save from Lee Camp at his near post but Latics were struggling to create many clear cut opportunities.

Latics’ tactic of playing long balls up to Vaughan and Windass was proving ineffective and there was a notable lack of creativity from the centre of midfield.

Just before the interval the visitors doubled their lead after some slack Latics defending at a corner. Gary Gardner rose unchallenged at the front post and his flicked header found the unmarked Morrison at the back post who converted with ease.

Latics’ best chance of the second half came when Windass was free in the centre of the goal but he headed wide of the target from Reece James’ cross.

The three points were effectively sealed soon afterwards when Wes Harding’s cross was headed on by Jutkiewicz and Maghoma steered it beyond Walton.

Kipre was unlucky when his header hit the bar from James’ cross but overall Latics had been unable to convert the few chances they had created while Birmingham had been clinical with their finishing.

Paul Cook said after the game that it was the lowest point in his 18 month tenure. His team are currently out of sorts and out of ideas. There is no creativity from the centre of the park and they are sorely missing the injured Nick Powell.

They were poor at both ends of the park yesterday and Cook must try and get back to the passing football that was so effective at the beginning of the season. His current style of playing long balls up to the two strikers is proving ineffective. The players must step up to the challenge and the manager must quickly find a winning formula or they will become embroiled in a relegation fight.

Posted in Birmingham City, Championship, Che Adams, Dan Burn, Jacques Maghoma, Michael Morrison, Paul Cook, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Birmingham City, Championship, Che Adams, Dan Burn, Jacques Maghoma, Michael Morrison, Paul Cook, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Latics Review of the Year – Part 1

Posted on December 21, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Will Grigg’s goal knocks Manchester City out of the FA Cup

What a momentous year it’s been for Wigan Athletic: the League One title, a magnificent FA Cup run, the end of the Whelan era, a new beginning with the International Entertainment Corporation (IEC) and a Jekyll and Hyde first half to the Championship campaign.

Latics may have struggled in the early rounds of the FA Cup to overcome AFC Fylde and Crawley Town but they went on to take the scalps of three Premier League clubs AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United and to top it all Premier League champions Manchester City.

Latics may have ridden their luck at times against City but it was an awesome effort by the team. Immense concentration was required as they had to defend in depth and make some great blocks, last ditch tackles, and there were a couple of excellent saves from Christian Walton.

Paul Cook prepared his players psychologically and tactically to perfection. Despite all the hype around City, he got the message across that City’s players were in fact only human and could be beaten.

Overall Cook’s team showed great spirit, work ethic and a determination to win. That spirit and determination was epitomised by striker Will Grigg who despite having only two chances in the whole game was able to execute a superb finish to deliver the knock out blow and send Latics into dreamland.

Latics narrowly lost out to Southampton in the quarter-finals and they could then resume their pursuit of the League One title with games in-hand. Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray thought it would be too much for Latics but Cook and his players had other ideas.

Rovers and Shrewsbury Town pushed Latics to an incredible 98-point title winning campaign, breaking club records with the most goals scored, most clean sheets, best goal difference and the record number of away wins in a season.

It was a gloriously sunny day in Doncaster as Latics were crowned champions of League One. The atmosphere and celebrations at the Keepmoat Stadium were something to behold and must rank as one of the best ever away days. It was the culmination of a fantastic season and with news that Cook had signed a new four-year contract the feel good vibe continued into the summer.

Part 2 to follow next week.

Posted in Championship, FA Cup, League One, Manchester City, Paul Cook, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Championship, FA Cup, League One, Manchester City, Paul Cook, Wigan Athletic, Will Grigg | Leave a comment

Review: Black Boots and Football Pinks – 50 Lost Wonders of the Beautiful Game by Daniel Gray

Posted on December 18, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Black boots cover

Daniel Gray revisits football’s fertile ground in his follow-up to the splendidly evocative ‘Saturday, 3pm’. In Black Boots and Football Pinks he celebrates 50 lost wonders of the beautiful game such as goalkeepers in trousers and hats, proper division names, turf patterns, pixelated scoreboards, and of course, Saturday evening pink newspapers…”They were gritty stardust that made football special.”

His preface is called ‘Sketching the ghosts before they leave the room’ which neatly sums up what the book is all about. Football has changed significantly in the last 30 years, sometimes for the worse, and Gray wants us to remember those authentic joyful experiences before it’s too late.

It is inevitably nostalgic and sentimental but it is all the better for it. Gray yearns for less corporate fan experiences. Times when clubs had provincial businessmen owners before big business took over and football wasn’t controlled by Saudi Sheikhs, Russian Oligarchs, Chinese and American corporations.

He reminds us of simpler football pleasures, for example, remembering the names of the 92 English or the 38 Scottish grounds. He rightly bemoans the passing of identifiable names of grounds.

Special moments during a game are remembered affectionately: small men marking the post, terrible goal kicks and foul throws, player brawls and understated goal celebrations.

Some of these including goalkeepers in trousers and hats have been lost to us now.

“There lingered too, the very slim and yet slapstick possibility of a goalkeeper throwing his hat down having conceded a goal.”

For many fans the link between the local shirt and hoarding sponsors was umbilical,

“To those of us whose eyes tinted everything with the colours of football, certain brands became a team and place once they were a sponsor for long enough: Southampton was Draper Tools, Oxford was Unipart, Coventry was Peugeot, Charlton was Woolwich and Brighton was Nobo.

“The shirts themselves were made not by multinational manufacturers but through homespun labels, whose names evoke the local sports shop: Spall, Ellgren, Matchwinner, Influence, Scoreline, Ribero and Frontrunner. It added to the sense that each place was different, exotic even.”

Football Pinks are no longer with us but are lovingly celebrated. The sheer joy of reading a football pink straight after the game is recalled with great fondness.

“Football Pinks were a comfort blanket, a fixed and sure gift. They extended the match day and cheered or consoled any evening. They were weekly telegrams from the frontline of war bearing the words: Safe and well, home soon.”

Gray has superbly brought back to life a bygone age of football. He revels in football’s peculiarities and idiosyncrasies, for example, matches played in fog, beams and imperfect views, turnstile operators, huts on stand roofs and goal nets with personality.

A list, which might seem ridiculous to the non-football fan, is cherished with a knowing smile by football supporters of a certain age. He sums it all up perfectly when he says,

“This was an age of character and difference.”

Gray’s eloquent prose-poetry entertains throughout and there are some particularly evocative passages.

On Kids playing in the street….”It was a tender symphony of the tarmac.”

Main stand clocks…”The main-stand clock saw more happenings, moved through more history, than God’s own sundial.”

Paper tickets…”Touching these slices of paper throws me up in the air and lands me in another world. Ruffling through their textures of my enveloped pile gives the misty thrill of kicking rustling leaves”.

Luxury, superfluous players….”There was opulence in his first touch. To watch him bring down a ball was to gargle with champagne. He accepted an over-hit pass as if it were a ping-pong ball landing on a bean bag. This control made the noise of an expensive car door closing.”

Gray has managed to capture the true essence of the game with his 50 lost wonders, this book may be small in size but it is a tour-de-force of football’s almost bygone pleasures.

Black Boots and Football Pinks – 50 Lost Wonders of the Beautiful Game by Daniel Gray. Published by Bloomsbury. Price £9.99.

This review first appeared in the December 18/January 19 edition of Late Tackle magazine.

Posted in Book Reviews, Daniel Gray, Late Tackle magazine, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Book Reviews, Daniel Gray, Late Tackle magazine | Leave a comment

Latics’ abysmal away form continues at bottom-of-the-table Ipswich – Ipswich Town 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on December 15, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Reece James went close for Latics

Wigan Athletic produced one of their worst performances of the season to succumb 1-0 to the Championship’s bottom club Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys had been without a win at home all season but the visitors allowed a team which was low on form and confidence to grab all three points.

Former West Ham striker Freddie Sears scored the winner in the 67th minute when his shot in a crowded area deflected off Lee Evans past keeper Christian Walton.

In a game that was low on quality Latics had the majority of the play, but a failure to be creative and clinical in the final third of the pitch proved crucial.

Ipswich only managed one shot on target and three shots in total while Latics had 16 shots with only two on target.

The excellent Reece James went closest for Latics when his drive from 18 yards hit the crossbar but too many Latics players had an off day and their dreadful away form continued.

Latics made two changes from the side that lost to Derby County last weekend with the suspended Kal Naismith being replaced by Callum Connolly and Will Grigg replacing James Vaughan.

Ipswich started the brighter of the two teams and forced Latics onto the back foot, however it was the visitors who had the first chance when Josh Windass got behind the hosts defence but he miscued his shot wide of the target.

In a game of poor quality, James produced a superbly tempting cross on the half hour mark, but neither Windass nor Grigg could get the vital touch to make it count.

Ipswich’s best chance came when Sears raced through the Latics’ defence but he blazed his effort over the crossbar.

The Tractor Boys keeper Dean Gerken wasn’t looking convincing and he nearly gifted Latics the lead just before half time when he spilled a James corner but Connolly saw his shot blocked at close range.

All square at half time but surely Latics would up their game after the interval?

The signs were certainly promising when James crashed his strike against the Ipswich crossbar.

But against the run of play Latics went behind on 67 minutes when a rare Ipswich attack prove crucial with Sears’ shot deflecting off Evans past Walton.

Latics huffed and puffed to get back into the game but they lacked the creativity and ideas to unlock the Ipswich defence.

Connolly headed over from eight yards out and a James free-kick was well saved by Gerken but Latics slippped to their eighth defeat in nine away games.

Despite some difficult conditions it was a game that Latics shouldn’t have lost and the players should accept the responsibility for a poor display. Standards on the road continue to disappoint and Paul Cook will be wondering why his team do not perform away from the DW Stadium.

Latics have been missing the services of some key attacking players, Nick Powell, Michael Jacobs and Gavin Massey, but it was still desperately disappointing to lose a game that was there for the taking.

Posted in Championship, Freddie Sears, Ipswich Town, Paul Cook, Reece James, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Championship, Freddie Sears, Ipswich Town, Reece James, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Latics mustn’t slip up at Portman Road

Posted on December 14, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Gavin Massey could return at Portman Road

Latics face a potential banana skin tomorrow at bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys must be regretting the departure of Mick McCarthy at the end of his contract in April as they have only won once this season under previous manager Paul Hurst and are still without a win under new manager Paul Lambert.

Ipswich have only accumulated 11 points from 21 games and are eight points from safety and in danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table. They’ve only scored 17 goals so far this season and conceded 37.

The club appears to be in a downward spiral after 17 seasons in the Championship and the owner Marcus Evans has been reluctant to splash out in the transfer market.

It was noticeable that the four highest scorers from last season: Martyn Waghorn (Derby), Joe Garner (Wigan), Bersant Celina (Swansea) and David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) have all left the club and been replaced by players from Leagues One and Two.

Evans would like to sell the club as it is losing £8m per season and crowds have been falling but no offers have been forthcoming. The former Norwich manager Lambert has had a disappointing start to his tenure with only two points taken from his first six games in charge.

However, the law of averages suggests that Lambert’s team will win at some point and manager Paul Cook must ensure that it isn’t his team that slip up at the bottom club.

Latics have a poor record on the road, winning only once away from the DW Stadium this season. They did get a point at local rivals Bolton in the last away game but they have been struggling to find some consistency on their travels.

They have also suffered with a horrendous injury list and they had more bad news last week when it was revealed that midfielder Nick Powell would be out until January with a hamstring strain.

Michael Jacobs, Antonee Robinson and Chey Dunkley are all still unavailable and Latics will also be without Kal Naismith who received a one-match suspension after being sent off against Derby last Saturday.

At least there was some good news about winger Gavin Massey who is nearing fitness and was involved in the Development Squad fixture against Sheffield United on Tuesday and is likely to play a part against Ipswich.

Latics with a fully fit squad are capable of competing at the top end of the table and are still only 11 points off a play-off spot but a defeat at the bottom club would have a dispiriting effect and could knock the confidence as they are only seven points above the relegation zone.

Ipswich will be desperate for a first win under Lambert but Latics must be resolute and focused to ensure that they come away with the three points at Portman Road.

Posted in Championship, Gavin Massey, Ipswich Town, Paul Cook, Paul Lambert, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Championship, Gavin Massey, Ipswich Town, Paul Cook, Paul Lambert, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment

10 men Latics can take heart from battling performance – Wigan Athletic 0 Derby County 1

Posted on December 9, 2018 by ianhaspinall

JamesVaughan

Ten-men Latics produced a spirited second-half display but were narrowly defeated by Derby County at the DW Stadium.

Latics had started the game brightly and could have gone ahead early on when James Vaughan missed a glorious opportunity but on 15 minutes they were reduced to 10 men when makeshift full back Kal Naismith was dismissed for pulling back Harry Wilson.

Soon afterwards Jack Marriott put the Rams ahead when he headed home Jayden Bogle’s cross.

The visitors then produced a 15 minute period of intense pressure as Latics struggled to stay in the game.

However, a re-shuffle by Paul Cook enabled the hosts to contain the visitors before half time and the 10 men went on to dominate in the second-half.

Latics’ best chance fell to Reece James, on his 19th Birthday, when he went through one on one with Scott Carson but his left footed effort couldn’t beat the Rams keeper.

Derby will certainly be relieved to have come away with all three points after Latics had matched Frank Lampard’s promotion chasers for much of the game.

Wigan drop a place to 16th in the Championship table and Derby move up to third.

Paul Cook made one change from the team which had drawn with Bolton Wanderers as James Vaughan started in place of Will Grigg.

Latics made the early running and threatened when Nathan Byrne broke down the left and crossed towards Vaughan, but the former Latics keeper Scott Carson just got to the ball first.

Latics should have been ahead moments later when Gary Roberts crossed for the Vaughan but the striker couldn’t make the vital connection with the goal at his mercy.

It proved to be a vital miss as on 15 minutes Latics were reduced to 10 men when Wilson was pulled back by the last man Naismith.

The hosts tried to stay composed but five minutes later Marriott produced a clinical headed finish from Jayden Bogle’s cross.

Derby were now in the ascendancy and Nathan Byrne’s goal-line clearance from a Wilson shot kept the hosts in the game.

To quell the storm Cook took decisive action and made a double change with Vaughan and Roberts replaced by Darron Gibson and Callum Connolly.

Mason Mount forced a good save from Christian Walton and at the other end James tested Carson from a free-kick just before half time.

Those expecting Latics to capitulate in the second-half were to be disappointed as they went on to dominate the proceedings. They seemed re-invigorated by Cook’s half time teamtalk and took the game to the Rams.

Morsy had an early half chance and then later fired a shot narrowly wide of Carson’s right hand post.

The best chance of the second-half however fell to the marauding full back James, the Chelsea loanee was through on goal but his left foot effort just couldn’t beat the Derby keeper.

Latics continued to press right up until the final whistle, with centre back Dan Burn getting forward to good effect on several occasions, but they couldn’t make the breakthrough and Derby held on for the three points.

Cook although clearly disappointed with the result, was proud of Latics’ performance against a team who will be in the promotion shake-up at the end of the season.

The character and determination of the squad players cannot be faulted at the moment, but it is such a pity that the high number of injuries has so far prevented Latics from making greater progress up the table.

The absence of so many regular members of the starting eleven has inevitably been hugely detrimental to their progress, and with Nick Powell now out until January, they will be desperately hoping for some good news on the injury front very soon.

Posted in Championship, Derby County, Jack Marriott, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Championship, Derby County, Jack Marriott, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment

Reece James is destined for the top

Posted on December 6, 2018 by ianhaspinall

Reece James

Chelsea currently have forty (40) players out on loan and one of their brightest prospects is also one of the youngest, 18-year-old Reece James currently on loan at Wigan Athletic.

The England U18, U19 and U20 right back has been an ever present for Latics since signing on a season long loan in June. James has just won Latics’ Player of the Month award for the third consecutive month after an impressive start to life in the Championship.

Reece is from a big football family as father Nigel runs the Elite Football Academy in South London and his 17-year-old sister Lauren plays for Manchester United Women’s team and England U17s.

Reece has been with Chelsea since the age of six and last season Captained the Under-18s to an FA Youth Cup triumph and was named Academy Player of the Season.

At the end of last season he had a big decision to make, should he stay at Chelsea with the Under-23s or go on loan elsewhere?

Reece told the Times newspaper why he decided to go to Wigan,

“I wanted to go to a club that played good football and the season before they won League One and I liked the way they played. Chelsea and Wigan both play out from the back and because they both get after the ball when they don’t have it”.

It’s been a great move for both parties as James has been the most consistent performer and 15th placed Latics have made a creditable start to their Championship campaign.

His first goal for Wigan was a stunning free kick against Leeds United and manager Paul Cook commented after the game,

“Reece has been excellent for us since he’s been here. He’s an 18-year-old boy, but everything about the kid suggests he’s going to have a very strong career. He’s a fantastic kid, and his ability is only matched by his temperament and his attitude. If every 18-year-old conducted themselves the way Reece does, football would be in a good place”.

There are rumours that Brighton, who have already signed Latics’ centre-back Dan Burn, are interested in signing James in the January transfer window.

Brighton scouts have been so impressed with his displays for Cook’s side that they are prepared to offer £10m for him. James is seen as a long-term replacement for 38-year-old Seagulls captain Bruno.

However, despite interest from Brighton and other clubs, James may decide to see his long-term future at Chelsea.

Interestingly, head of youth development at Chelsea, Neil Bath has said that the club prefer all their players to have at least 150 appearances in senior football before they enter the first-team at Chelsea, whether that be a youngster or a new signing.

This would imply that James would need at least two more full seasons away on loan before permanently returning to Chelsea, which might leave the door open for Latics to retain his services for another season.

Posted in Championship, Chelsea, Premier League, Reece James, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Championship, Chelsea, Premier League, Reece James, Wigan Athletic | Leave a comment