12th Man – The finishing touches

Posted on September 29, 2017 by ianhaspinall
Will Grigg Wigan Athletic

Will Grigg not fully fit?

It was another week of contrasting results for Latics with a disappointing away defeat at Peterborough and a narrow 1-0 victory against Plymouth at the DW Stadium.

At the Abax Stadium Latics’ failure to convert a multitude of first-half chances proved crucial as they slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat.

Latics went into the interval 1-0 up but they could have been five or six ahead as they dominated the home team from the kick-off.

Ivan Toney twice, Nick Powell twice, Gavin Massey twice, and Michael Jacobs all had good goalscoring opportunities before Jacobs’ deflected effort separated the teams at the interval.

But Latics’ profligacy in front of goal proved crucial as a reinvigorated Posh were the better team in the second half and ran out surprising winners.

After the game Paul Cook commented,

“It’s a reminder, if we needed one, that if you don’t take your chances, you will be punished in this league.”

It was a similar picture on Tuesday night as Latics dominated Plymouth from the outset and should have been well ahead by half time.

They could have gone in front after only 90 seconds when Gavin Massey crossed for Nick Powell who then headed wide of the target. Powell then fired a free-kick wide and Will Grigg headed against the cross bar from a good position.

Massey also had two very good chances well saved by Kyle Letheren. Grigg had a great chance just before the interval but he hesitated in front of goal and his side-footed shot was blocked.

Jacobs then saw another great chance go begging. All square at half time in a one-sided encounter but would Latics’ failure to be clinical in front of goal once again come to haunt them?

They had plenty more chances in the second-half but they were unable to break the deadlock until they were awarded a penalty on 82 minutes, which fortunately Powell dispatched with some aplomb.

Out of 23 shots against Plymouth there were only seven on target and no goal from open play.

The general feeling amongst Paul Cook and his coaching staff is that as long as they are creating chances they will be ok.

However, Latics have already lost to Shrewsbury and Peterborough and they still have to play many of the stronger teams in the division.

If they are to overcome these teams they are going to have to improve their goals to chances ratio.

Unfortunately for Latics, top striker Grigg doesn’t appear to be back to full fitness and hasn’t yet returned to being the prolific marksman of the 2015/16 season.

Toney works hard but he doesn’t look like a 20 goal striker and though Jacobs and Massey are excellent players, they are not yet converting enough of their opportunities.

Similarly Powell is Latics’ top scorer with five goals but he should be scoring more at this level.

Latics may currently be sitting in second place in the League One table but they must improve their finishing and convert more of their chances if they are to finish in the automatic promotion places.

This article was first published in the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 29th September 2017.

Posted in League One, Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Powell’s perfect penalty sinks Plymouth – Wigan Athletic 1 Plymouth Argyle 0

Posted on September 27, 2017 by ianhaspinall
Nick Powell 3

Nick Powell perfect penalty

Nick Powell’s late penalty was enough to seal the three points against Plymouth Argyle and move Latics up to second place in the League One table.

Latics had created numerous chances but Argyle had defended in depth and managed to repel all attacks until they conceded an 82nd minute penalty when Ivan Toney was pushed in the area by Jamie Ness.

Powell stepped up and fired a perfect penalty into the top right hand corner past Kyle Letheren much to the relief of the home crowd.

Latics made two changes to the team which lost at Peterborough with captain Sam Morsy back after suspension, and Will Grigg replacing David Perkins and Ivan Toney.

In typical fashion Latics dominated from the kick-off and could have been ahead after only 90 seconds when Gavin Massey crossed for Nick Powell who headed wide of the target.

Powell also fired free-kick wide after nine minutes after Michael Jacobs was brought down on the edge of the box. Then an Evans free-kick was headed out to Morsy who volleyed the ball back into the area and Grigg headed against the cross bar from a good position.

Massey then forced a good save from Letheren after 20 minutes after good work by Grigg and Jacobs had created the chance.

Massey had another shot deflected by Ness after 33 minutes but Letheren was able to make another good save.

It was one-way traffic as Latics pressed for a breakthrough and Argyle offered little going forward and had clearly come to try and get a point.

Grigg then nearly broke the deadlock on 44 minutes from a pull back by Jacobs but his effort was blocked by Songo’o. Jacobs then had another great chance but his curling shot was superbly turned around the post by Letheren.

Argyle did have a couple of rare opportunities when Ryan Edwards headed a Graham Carey corner just wide and Jamie Jones saved an effort from Joel Grant, but it would have been an injustice if they had gone ahead.

The second half continued with Latics controlling possession and continuing to create chances. Nick Powell twice went close with headers that Letheren had to tip over the cross bar.

Latics made a double substitution on 61 minutes, with Ivan Toney replacing Grigg and Callum Elder replacing Reece James.

Letheren then made another excellent save from close range after 64 minutes, Toney’s downward header from Nathan Byrne’s right wing cross looked destined for the net but the keeper somehow kept it out.

Powell then had a goal disallowed for offside on 68 minutes and it was looking as though Latics’ luck might be out on the night.

But they persevered and with eight minutes remaining Toney was pushed in the area by Ness and the referee pointed to the spot. Under pressure Powell produced a perfect penalty firing high into the top right hand corner and giving Letheren no chance.

An important win for Latics after Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Peterborough. A result which moves them up to second in the table and drops Argyle down to rock bottom after 10 games played.

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Failure to be clinical costs Latics dear – Peterborough United 3 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on September 23, 2017 by ianhaspinall
Ryan Colclough

Ryan Colclough equalised for Latics

Wigan Athletic’s failure to convert a multitude of first-half chances proved crucial in the second-half as they slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat at Peterborough United.

Latics went into the interval 1-0 up but it could so easily have been five or six as they dominated the home team from the kick-off.

Ivan Toney twice, Nick Powell twice, Gavin Massey twice, and Michael Jacobs all had good goalscoring opportunities before Jacobs’ deflected effort separated the teams at the interval.

Marcus Maddison did have a golden opportunity for The Posh at the end of the half but Jamie Jones saved comfortably.

The Posh were much improved in the second-half and drew level when Junior Morias scored from inside the area. In an end-to-end second period Morias smashed home a second from 25 yards before substitute Ryan Colclough equalised following a corner.

But just when it looked as though the points would be shared Jack Marriott was given too much room in the area and Latics left the Abax Stadium empty handed.

Latics made three changes to their starting line-up with Nick Powell replacing Gary Roberts, David Perkins in for the suspended Sam Morsy and Will Grigg surprisingly replaced by Ivan Toney.

Latics produced a dominant first-half display creating numerous chances.

The first came after six minutes when Powell’s cross to the far post found Toney but his header was straight at Jonathan Bond. On seven minutes Powell put Jacobs through inside the box, but Bond saved low down.

Gavin Massey then blasted over the bar from a great position on 15 minutes after good set-up play by Reece James.

Powell’s header from Lee Evans’ corner after 24 minutes bounced into the ground and then agonisingly just over the crossbar.

Latics went ahead on 32 minutes when Jacobs’ shot from inside the box took a big deflection off a defender and wrong footed Bond before finishing in the net.

The Peterborough keeper then made two superb saves to prevent Latics increasing their lead. In a goalmouth scramble he somehow blocked Toney’s first effort before saving Massey’s shot on the line. But surely Latics should have been more clinical in their finishing.

The Posh did have two rare opportunities during the half when Morias headed over from Maddison’s cross on 16 minutes and then just before half-time Maddison was clean through on goal but Jones saved fairly comfortably.

Only 1-0 at half-time despite Latics being on top for most of it, and they would come to rue their inability to fully capitalise on that first-half performance.

The Posh were much improved in the second-half but both teams created plenty of chances.

The Posh drew level on 46 minutes when Morias picked up a loose ball inside the box and smashed home.

Jones then pulled off a great save after Marriott broke clear of Burn and shot from a tight angle after 57 minutes.

The suspended Sam Morsy was clearly being missed as the Latics defence was now being exposed to plenty of Peterborough attacks. Unfortunately David Perkins was unable to provide the same defensive shield that the tenacious Morsy usually provides.

Max Power and Ryan Colcough replaced Powell and Massey after 63 minutes to try and stem the home side’s pressure.

The Posh had an appeal for a penalty when Marriott went down under a challenge from Chey Dunkley in the box but the referee waved away appeals.

Jacobs produced a superb full length of the field run on 67 minutes, evading several defenders before creating space in the area and shooting on target but Bond pushed the ball away for a corner.

Maddison then forced Jones into another good save before Latics came back up the other end. Evans free-kick in the 75th minute just cleared the crossbar before they had a penalty appeal when Colclough appeared to be pushed to the floor in the area.

The Posh then went ahead on 82 minutes when Morias found the corner of the net from 25 yards to beat Jones. But it was not long before Latics were level again as Colclough found space at the back post to tap home Evans’ corner.

But just when it looked as though Latics had managed to save a point, Marriott was given far too much room in the box and he fired home past Jones.

Latics will be disappointed not to have got something from a game when they had 57% possession and had controlled the first half. A failure to be clinical in front of goal is now starting to cost the team points.

Peterborough now move above Wigan into second place in the League One table.

Posted in Jack Marriott, Junior Morias, League One, Michael Jacobs, Peterborough United, Ryan Colclough, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

12th Man – It’s all going so well

Posted on September 21, 2017 by ianhaspinall
nick-powell3

Can the talismanic Nick Powell stay fit?

Latics are now in a rich vein of form after winning their last three games in convincing fashion. They have confidently moved up to second in the League One table and are rapidly reinforcing the bookmakers’ view that they are favourites for promotion.

The Charlton performance was a perfect response to the defeat at Shrewsbury, with a committed display from the team who could easily have won by five or six, but came away with a 3-0 win.

Against Bristol Rovers they kept up the excellent work and once again dominated their opponents running out 3-0 winners but it could so easily have been so many more.

Northampton proved to be stubborn opponents under new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, they set out to defend in numbers and frustrate Latics in an attempt to gain a point.

However, Latics once again created plenty of chances and defended effectively when needed and probably should have won by more than the 1-0 score line.

The last three matches have fully demonstrated Latics’ promotion credentials; they have scored seven goals with no goals conceded.

Overall they have a positive goal difference of 12 and they are one of a handful of teams in the Football League to only concede three goals so far this season.

It’s all going so well, so what could possibly go wrong?

Could complacency creep into the club? Latics won the title the last time they were in League One and the players may start to feel that they can go through the motions and easily do it again. Overconfidence can lead to unnecessary defeats and the promotion push could falter.

Paul Cook should be aware of the risk and his down to earth ‘common-sense’ approach to management will hopefully guard against any complacency. He will be aware of the pitfalls of taking anything for granted and I’m sure he’ll be pushing his players to maintain their high standards.

Could they suffer significant injuries to key players? A series of injuries could curtail their promotion aspirations. For example, the talismanic Nick Powell constantly struggles to maintain match fitness due to a series of groin, thigh and back problems.

If he and other key players experienced long-term injuries could the team cope with their absence?

It’s early days in the season and Latics still have to play some of the stronger teams in the division and they have already lost away to early league leaders Shrewsbury.

Will they struggle against the other strongly tipped teams? Latics face a difficult trip to third placed Peterborough United tomorrow and the match could prove to be a good indicator of how both teams’ season could pan out.

This article was first published in the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 22nd September 2017.

Posted in Bristol Rovers, Charlton Athletic, League One, Nick Powell, Northampton Town, Peterborough United, Shrewsbury Town, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jacobs’ cracker moves Wigan up to second in table – Wigan Ath 1 Northampton Town 0

Posted on September 20, 2017 by ianhaspinall
Michael Jacobs

Michael Jacobs produced a superb winner

A stunning 30 yard strike from Michael Jacobs ensured that Latics maintained their winning run against a stubborn Northampton Town at the DW Stadium.

Latics deservedly took the three points with the 1-0 victory but as in their recent games it could so easily have been so many more as they dominated throughout.

Will Grigg had a goal disallowed for offside and fluffed a one-on-one with keeper Matt Ingram, Dan Burn and Lee Evans also went close before Sam Morsy had a shot which struck the post and appeared to cross the line but the goal was not given.

Former Wigan player Leon Barnett forced a super save from Jamie Jones at close range but the home team were good value for the win and move up to second in the League One table.

Manager Paul Cook made two changes from the team which defeated Bristol Rovers with Gary Roberts replacing the injured Nick Powell and Chey Dunkley coming back into the team in place of Alex Bruce.

Latics had an early chance when Gavin Massey picked up a loose ball in the box but shot narrowly wide of the target.

Will Grigg got on the end of a clever Gary Roberts pass on 21 minutes and slotted the ball past Ingram but the linesman ruled that Grigg was offside.

Grigg then had another opportunity when he was played through on goal but he fluffed the chance to score.

Captain Sam Morsy was rather harshly booked for what appeared to be a 50/50 challenge with Regan Poole and will now miss Saturday’s trip to third place Peterborough.

Despite Latics pressure Northampton continued to defend resolutely and it looked as though their strategy to play for one point might just pay off.

It was still all Wigan at the beginning of the second period and the breakthrough came on 55 minutes through a superb individual goal from Michael Jacobs.

Jacobs picked up the ball 35 yards out and drove past a couple of defenders before unleashing a wonderful strike past the despairing Ingram.

Lee Evans went close five minutes later with another long range effort which took a deflection and flew narrowly wide of Ingram’s post.

Then centre back Dan Burn nearly got on the score sheet after a dazzling 50 yard burst forward. The big man drove into the box and played a neat one-two with Roberts but he miscued his final shot and the ball went wide.

Northampton had a rare opportunity on 73 minutes when Leon Barnett forced a superb close range save from Jamie Jones following a corner.

But Latics continued to create opportunities and substitute Colclough nearly increased the lead in added time before Morsy’s shot looked to have crossed the line after striking a post but the goal was not given.

Latics are now in a rich vein of form after winning their last three games, scoring seven and with no goals conceded. They travel to third placed Peterborough on Saturday and will be looking to continue their good form and put pressure on current League One leaders Shrewsbury Town.

 

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Latics in control but left wanting more – Wigan Athletic 3 Bristol Rovers 0

Posted on September 17, 2017 by ianhaspinall
WillGrigg2

Will Grigg back amongst the goals

League One promotion favourites Wigan Athletic dominated Bristol Rovers and ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at the DW Stadium.

Latics were on top right from the kick-off and Rovers problems were compounded on the half-hour mark when Ryan Sweeney was sent off for bringing down Michael Jacobs and Nick Powell converted the resulting free-kick.

Will Grigg made it 2-0 early in the second half, with his first goal in almost 12 months, as Latics continued to create chance after chance against the ten men.

Latics somehow failed to add to their lead and Rovers were given a lifeline on 80 minutes when Michael Jacobs was adjudged to have handled a Tom Lockyer free-kick inside the home box, but keeper Jamie Jones produced a superb save low down to his right to keep out Ellis Harrison’s penalty.

Gavin Massey added a third goal in added time but like against Charlton in mid-week it could and should have been five or six goals such was Wigan’s dominance.

Latics were unchanged from the team which was so convincing at Charlton with Will Grigg retaining his place in the starting eleven.

Grigg went close early on when he picked up a reverse pass from Powell and forced a good save from Sam Slocombe.

Ollie Clarke tried his luck from the edge of the box after 12 minutes but Jones saved comfortably. Slocombe then made another good save from Gavin Massey’s diving header following Reece James’ cross.

It was one way traffic and Powell’s long-range effort came back off Slocombe and the same player tried to capitalise but fired wide of the target.

But Latics gained a deserved lead on 30 minutes when Grigg sent Jacobs clear of Sweeney who brought him down on the edge of the area. The referee decided that Sweeney was the last man and was duly dismissed.

The mercurial Nick Powell stepped up and fired his free-kick through the defensive wall and past the despairing Slocombe.

Unfortunately for Latics Powell had to be substituted soon afterwards and is likely to miss the mid-week game against Northampton Town.

The home team continued to press forward and might have increased their lead on 39 minutes but Tom Broadbent somehow made a last ditch goal line clearance to deny Massey.

But Latics did make it 2-0 early in the second half when Grigg ended his goal drought and fired home from an acute near-post angle following Nathan Byrne’s right-wing cross.

Substitute Ivan Toney had an opportunity to add to the lead after 59 minutes but Slocombe produced another good save diving to his left.

But as Latics eased off and made substitutions, Gary Roberts replacing Will Grigg, Rovers came back into the game.

They were awarded a penalty when Michael Jacobs was adjudged to handle Tom Nichols’ free-kick but Jones pulled off a superb save low down to his left to deny Ellis Harrison.

In the fifth minute of added time Massey made it 3-0, driving into the box playing a one-two with Roberts and finishing with aplomb past Slocombe.

On this form it is surely only a matter of time before Latics make the most of all their chances and give a team a real drubbing.

Posted in Bristol Rovers, Gavin Massey, League One, Nick Powell, Wigan Athletic, Will Grigg | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man – Cook’s recipe for success

Posted on September 15, 2017 by ianhaspinall
IMG_6430

Paul Cook

It’s been a mixed week for Latics with a first defeat at Shrewsbury and an impressive display at Charlton. It was a below par performance in Shropshire with several players not at their best. Midfielders Sam Morsy and Lee Evans, who have been outstanding in the early games, had been away on international duty and this seemed to have had a negative effect on them.

Latics wasted some good early chances and the longer the game went on the less they looked likely to score. Ryan Colclough’s red card for foul and abusive language after the final whistle further compounded matters.

But credit must also be given to Shrewsbury who worked hard, closed down and defended resolutely after taking the lead. They are the best team Latics have faced so far this season and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their early momentum.

Despite the first reversal manager Paul Cook didn’t panic and demonstrated his usual reasoned ’common sense’ approach to all football matters.

He said.

“As our supporters will find out with me, I’m not a manager who chops and changes and never will be, I’m not that type of person. Our job is to make players not destroy them, and I believe in the whole squad and the players here.

I think there’s a correct time for change and I also think there’s a wrong time, and that doesn’t mean there won’t be changes on Tuesday because logic tells you there will be, but if you look back at our last few performances we’ve been excellent at times, so one little blip doesn’t make us a bad team.

Every game is the same in this league and they come around so fast. What myself and my staff have learnt over the past few years is that is such a long campaign.

People can get far too high too quickly and certainly now far too low, so for us it’s about having our team playing the way we want them to play and being fit enough to carry that out, which will yield results.”

Cook’s approach paid huge dividends on Tuesday night when the same players dominated Charlton and came away with a convincing 3-0 victory at the Valley.

Charlton had won every home fixture since early April but Latics set about them right from the kick off.

Morsy and Evans controlled the midfield and the forward four of Grigg, Jacobs, Massey and Powell were complemented by the marauding full backs Reece James and Nathan Byrne. Massey grabbed a couple and Morsy got on the score sheet but it could so easily have been five or six.

Latics now have four home games in the next five fixtures and are nicely placed in the League One table in sixth place with a game in hand on most of the teams around them.

This article was first published in the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 15th September 2017.

Posted in Charlton Athletic, League One, Lee Evans, Paul Cook, Sam Morsy, Shrewsbury Town, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics impress with first win at the Valley – Charlton Athletic 0 Wigan Athletic 3

Posted on September 12, 2017 by ianhaspinall
Gavin Massey

Gavin Massey grabbed a brace

Wigan Athletic recorded their first ever win at The Valley with a convincing 3-0 performance against Charlton Athletic. Latics created plenty of early chances but had to wait until just before half time when Gavin Massey converted Reece James’ cross from close range.

Massey increased Latics lead on 69 minutes when he found space in the box after a good pull back from Nathan Byrne. Captain Sam Morsy rounded off a superb night for the away team when he drilled home from near the penalty spot to make it 3-0.

Latics made one change from the team beaten at Shrewsbury with Will Grigg replacing Ivan Toney who dropped to the bench.

The visitors attacked right from the kick off and Massey should have put Latics ahead in the opening seconds when he headed wide from close range.

This was soon followed by a Nick Powell shot from a good position and a header from the same player that was narrowly wide of the target, then Michael Jacobs fired his free kick straight at Ben Amos, all in the opening eight minutes.

Charlton had their first effort on goal on 23 minutes when Jamie Jones made a good save to deny Tarigue Fosu-Henry. On the half hour mark Jake Forster-Caskey hit the crossbar and Josh Magennis just failed to convert the rebound.

But Latics quickly took back control of the game and went ahead just before the interval following good play by Reece James. The full back linked up with Jacobs before producing a superb cross which Massey tapped home from inside the six yard box.

Latics dominance continued at the beginning of the second half with Amos saving well from Powell’s 20 yard effort and then from Massey’s angled drive. They forced a succession of corners and Powell curled another shot wide of the target.

Jacobs then broke quickly before firing narrowly of wide Amos’ post and Alex Bruce probably should have done better when he had a free header inside the Charlton box.

The visitors dominance was rewarded on 69 minutes when Massey added his second goal after excellent play by the overlapping full back Byrne.

Latics sensibly managed out the rest of the game fairly comfortably making three substitutions in the process, Ivan Toney replacing Nick Powell, Max Power replacing Will Grigg and Callum Elder replacing Michael Jacobs.

Sam Morsy rounded off a splendid night for Latics and the travelling faithful when he drilled home the third and final goal just before the final whistle.

Wigan move up to sixth in the League One table with a game in hand on most of the teams around them, while Charlton drop from second to third place.

Posted in Charlton Athletic, Gavin Massey, League One, Sam Morsy, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

First defeat compounded by Colclough sending off – Shrewsbury Town 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 9, 2017 by ianhaspinall
IMG_6519

Another Latics attack is thwarted

Latics suffered their first defeat of the season as Shrewsbury Town moved to the top of League One.

In a closely fought encounter The Shrews edged the three points when Stefan Payne fired home from close range after Latics failed to clear a corner.

There were plenty of chances at both ends but Latics went closest in the second half when Ivan Toney’s diving header came off the outside of the post.

Despite considerable Latics pressure Shrewsbury defended resolutely throughout to inflict a first defeat on Paul Cook’s team.

To make matters worse Ryan Colclough was given a red card for foul and abusive language after the final whistle.

Latics made two changes to the starting line up from the draw against Portsmouth with goalkeeper Jamie Jones replacing the injured Christian Walton and Alex Bruce replacing the suspended Chey Dunkley.

Latics had an early chance when Nick Powell was denied at close quarters by Dean Henderson.

Michael Jacobs then produced a superb solo run taking the ball from the half-way line before hitting his shot into the side-netting.

The Shrews responded and Jones was forced into action to tip Shaun Whalley’s dipping shot onto the crossbar.

The home team then went ahead after 25 minutes when Whalley headed the ball in a crowded box and Payne was quickest to react and fired home from close range.

Powell was posing a threat for Latics and twice went close, first with a 25-yard free-kick, and then with a smart effort from inside the box which was saved by Henderson.

Latics pressed at the beginning of the second half and went close in the 53rd minute when Jacobs went past two defenders and fired across the face of goal but no Latics player was on hand to tap home.

Ivan Toney then almost gave Latics parity when his diving header from Nathan Byrne’s cross beat Henderson but hit the near post and bounced to safety.

Will Grigg and Ryan Colclough replaced Toney and Gavin Massey in the 62nd minute as Latics looked to draw level.

Henderson had to rush off his line to deny Grigg an effort on goal,  then Ben Godfrey got in the way of a goal-bound effort by Evans from the edge of the box.

The injured Nick Powell was replaced by Gary Roberts in the 75th minute as Cook made his last substitution.

Roberts free kick was then well saved by Henderson as Latics continued to push for the equaliser.

But Latics pressure was all to no avail as the Shrews held out to move to the top of the table.

Just to compound Latics misery further Ryan Colclough was dismissed after the final whistle for foul and abusive language.

 

Posted in League Cup, Ryan Colclough, Shrewsbury Town, Stefan Payne, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man – Deja vu?

Posted on September 8, 2017 by ianhaspinall
will-grigg-v-blackburn

Will Grigg be on fire at Shrewsbury?

It was only in April 2016 that Latics eased to the top of the League One table with an emphatic 5-1 victory at Shrewsbury Town and they will be hoping for a repeat of that performance tomorrow.

The big win at Greenhous Meadow included a brace from Will Grigg and the Northern Ireland striker’s form has been a major talking point amongst the fans at the beginning of this season.

Grigg has been recovering from five months out after a knee injury required surgery and has made a slow start to this campaign. He hasn’t yet found the net in the handful of games in which he’s either started or come on as a substitute.

He was involved with the second team on Monday night against Blackburn Rovers in the Lancashire Senior Cup but he failed to score during the 90 minutes and missed his spot kick in the penalty shoot-out, which Latics lost.

It’s been a quiet period for the striker who was a global centre of attention with the ‘Will Grigg’s On Fire’ song in 2016, but surely it is only a matter of time before he regains his sharpness in front of goal.

Grigg achieved a superb 25 league goals when Latics won the League One title and there is still a strong belief that he can replicate that form this time around. If Grigg can find his scoring boots he could make it a remarkable four promotions to the Championship.

He was promoted with Brentford in 2014, then with MK Dons in 2015, with Latics in 2016 and hopefully he will do it again with the club in 2018.

Much has changed at Latics and Shrewsbury since that game in 2016 and The Shrews look like an improved outfit and currently sit above Latics in second in place in the League One table.

Like Latics they are unbeaten in their opening games and they have won four and drawn one of their fixtures so far. In fact they are now in their highest position in the Football League since September 1989.

Shrewsbury are also doing some great work off the pitch by promoting safe standing. They have applied to be the first English club to have safe standing at their stadium. The plan is to have rail seats fitted and in use, in a section of one stand, before the end of this season.

They have initiated a crowdfunding campaign to create a showcase for safe standing, which should help to bring forward its introduction at other clubs.

All the proceeds from the campaign will support the first installation at Shrewsbury, and after that, future Football Supporters Federation-backed safe standing projects. Details of how to support the campaign can be found at: http://www.tifosy.com/safestanding

This article was first published in the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 8th September 2017.

Posted in League One, Shrewsbury Town, Wigan Athletic, Will Grigg | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment