Latics blow advantage in six goal thriller – Wigan Ath 3 Sheffield Utd 3

Posted on January 13, 2016 by ianhaspinall
Haris Vuckic

Haris Vuckic scored his first goal for Latics

Wigan Athletic allowed Sheffield United to comeback from three goals down to secure an unlikely 3-3 draw at the DW Stadium last night.

Goals by Will Grigg, Haris Vuckic and Chris McCann had given Latics what looked to be an unassailable 3-0 lead. But with 21 minutes of the game remaining the Blades produced a remarkable comeback with two goals by Matt Done and one by Billy Sharp.

Wigan had pulled off a great comeback on Thursday night against Gillingham, but this time they were on the receiving end as they failed to close out the game.

Gary Caldwell made two changes from the win against Gillingham with Haris Vuckic and Chris McCann replacing Reece James and Andy Kellett.

Latics started positively with Michael Jacobs testing George Long. The winger cut in from the right hand side and tried a low effort which forced a good save from Long.

Latics then went ahead on 16 minutes through Will Grigg. The striker picked up a pass from Jacobs and on the edge of the area before slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Grigg might have increased their lead on 23 minutes, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

The Blades threatened on the break and went close themselves before the interval when Matt Done rounded Jaaskelainen in the area, but he was unable to find anyone in the centre and Craig Morgan was able to clear.

But Latics doubled their lead on 43 minutes following a superb flowing move. After a neat interchange in midfield, Jason Pearce broke free down the left hand side and crossed to the near post to Haris Vuckic who guided his header into the far corner of the net for his first goal for the club.

Latics continued to press forward at the beginning of the second half, with both Vuckic and Pearce going close in the opening ten minutes.

The home team looked to have sealed the three points on 66 minutes. Chris McCann reacted first after Donervon Daniels had lost possession in the Blades area and overcame a couple of challenges before finishing past Long.

Latics however were guilty of taking their foot off the pedal and Sheffield United almost immediately hit back through Matt Done. Done meeting Billy Sharp’s cross from the left to score from close range.

Latics continued to press forward with Yanic Wildschut replacing Vuckic and Don Cowie replacing the injured David Perkins. It was now far too open a game as chances came at both ends.

The Blades pulled another goal back through Sharp on 75 minutes when he met Jay McEveley’s deflected cross to head home from close range.

Latics re-jigged midfield was now struggling to combat a resurgent United team. The visitors completed an unlikely comeback on 89 minutes when Done grabbed his second goal.

Jaaskelainen produced a superb save to deny Sharp, but the rebound fell to the unmarked Done who bundled the ball over the line to stun the home crowd.

Sheffield United might have even have gone on to win the game but for another great stop by Jaaskelainen in the fourth minute of added time when he was at full stretch to deny Sharp.

The visitors had produced a remarkable comeback but Gary Caldwell will be frustrated by his team’s inability to close out the game at 3-0. The manager left the pitch shaking his head in disbelief. There is clearly plenty of work still to be done on the training ground before Latics can fully realise their potential.

Posted in Billy Sharp, Chris McCann, Haris Vuckic, League One, Matt Done, Sheffield United, Wigan Athletic, Will Grigg | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man – What will window deliver?

Posted on January 9, 2016 by ianhaspinall
Yanic Wildschut

Yanic Wildschut could soon be back at Latics

The January transfer window is now in full swing and it gives Gary Caldwell an opportunity to strengthen his squad going into the second half of the season.

Caldwell has already transformed the playing staff and made good use of the loan system, but several of those players have now gone back to their host clubs and Caldwell will be looking to improve the squad by bringing in more quality for the promotion push.

Striker Alex Revell has gone back to Cardiff City and Francisco Junior has suffered a hernia and returned to Everton.

But the big news is that Latics have agreed a transfer fee with Middlesbrough and are in negotiations with fans’ favourite Yanic Wildschut and he could be available for Tuesday’s game versus Sheffield United.

Latics have already signed the promising young Torquay United keeper Dan Lavercombe. The 19-year-old stopper had been attracting interest from Liverpool, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton but Latics won the race to secure his signature.

The player will be loaned back to Torquay for the rest of this season but will train with Latics from Monday to Thursday.

Latics have also added the Macclesfield Town midfielder Danny Whitehead. The 22-year-old former West Ham player is regarded as one for the future and will be loaned back to the Cheshire club for the rest of the season.

The club have also been linked with the combative Chesterfield midfielder Sam Morsy, but the recent arrival of Danny Wilson as the new Spireites manager may have put a stop to any potential deal.

Wigan are trying to sign the Oldham Athletic captain Liam Kelly and it looks likely that the transfer will go ahead. The clubs are believed to be in advanced negotiations for the 25-year-old.

The Scottish midfielder would no doubt relish the opportunity to swap a relegation battle for a promotion campaign.

Caldwell has identified a big shopping list for this transfer window. The range of players interesting the manager demonstrates the club’s desire to make progress.

Some of the players identified are ones for the future, but others such as Yanic Wildschut and Liam Kelly will be expected to have a big impact on Latics’ promotion chances in the second half of the season.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Saturday 9th January 2016.

Posted in Dan Lavercombe, Danny Whitehead, League One, Liam Kelly, Sam Morsy, Wigan Athletic, Yanic Wildschut | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Comeback kings shock the Gills – Wigan Athletic 3 Gillingham 2

Posted on January 8, 2016 by ianhaspinall
Craig Morgan Wigan Athletic

Latics Captain Craig Morgan headed home a 96th minute winner

Wigan Athletic shocked second place Gillingham with an incredible 3-2 victory after trailing 2-0 after 60 minutes.

The Gills had gone ahead through Dominic Samuel and looked to be in control when Rory Donnelly headed home.

But after Gary Caldwell brought on Jordy Hiwula and Chris McCann, Latics fought back through Will Grigg and Max Power and then Captain Craig Morgan produced a stunning 96th minute header to send the DW Stadium into raptures.

Latics made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 away at Scunthorpe, with Reece James and Leon Barnett replacing Chris McCann and Yanic Wildschut.

After a cagey opening period Gillingham had the first opportunity on 14 minutes through Bradley Dack. The prolific midfielder curled his free kick beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen but his strike came back off the right hand post and away to safety.

Latics responded and nearly went ahead themselves when Donervon Daniels’ low cross was met by Jason Pearce but the defender couldn’t beat Stuart Nelson from close range.

Gillingham were looking an accomplished outfit and they took the lead on 24 minutes through Dominic Samuel. The striker broke free from Jason Pearce down the right hand side and slotted home past Jaaskelainen.

Latics tried to respond and Jacobs produced a shot from distance which forced an excellent save from Nelson low down to his right.

Then Andy Kellett had a great opportunity to draw Latics level. Kellett found himself with a free header at the back post following a corner, but disappointingly he could only head wide of the target.

Wigan had been unable to convert their chances in the opening half and the Gills went into the interval with a slender lead.

Gillingham started the second half brightly. First Bradley Dack had an effort from distance and then they doubled their lead following a defensive mix-up between keeper Jaaskelainen and Donervon Daniels which allowed Rory Donnelly to head home.

Gary Caldwell responded by sending on Jordy Hiwula and Chris McCann in place of Reece James and Andy Kellett.

The substitutions and change in formation enabled Latics to gain momentum and they pulled a goal back on 64 minutes through Will Grigg.

A high cross into the box was knocked down by Jacobs towards Grigg who smashed the ball home from inside the six yard box.

Latics still had plenty of work to do as Gillingham were proving resolute opponents. But on 67 minutes Latics drew level following a mistake by Gills keeper Nelson.

Max Power struck a shot from 25 yards straight at the keeper but he was unable to hold the shot and the ball squirmed through his hands and into the net.

Gillingham were stunned to be hauled back level after looking to be in control of the game. Latics however, were now in the ascendency and they could sense the possibility of a victory.

Donervon Daniels was getting forward at every opportunity and with about 10 minutes remaining he nearly gave Wigan the lead when he drove into the area but his shot was narrowly wide of the right hand post.

The match then looked to be heading towards a draw but in the 96th minute Latics captain Craig Morgan produced a superb winning header.

Max Power’s corner was met perfectly by Morgan, who found the top corner of the net to send the Latics players and supporters into delirium.

It was another remarkable comeback following on from this season’s previous comebacks at Chesterfield and Bury.

The team had once again demonstrated their desire and commitment to fightback from a losing position and this should give them a huge boost going into the forthcoming fixtures.

Wigan remain in fifth place but are now only six points behind the second-placed Gillingham.

Posted in Craig Morgan, Dominic Samuel, Gillingham, League One, Max Power, Rory Donnelly, Wigan Athletic, Will Grigg | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t panic we may still have Yanic – Scunthorpe United 1 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on January 3, 2016 by ianhaspinall
Yanic Wildschut Wigan Athletic

Yanic Wildschut could be staying with Latics

Wigan were unable to maintain their winning away form and were held at 1-1 at Scunthorpe United, but they remain in fifth spot in League One.

The Iron took the lead when Luke Williams finished from close range following a low cross from Scott Laird on 20 minutes.

But Latics soon responded and Michael Jacobs equalised on 34 minutes with a superb drive from the edge of the area.

Latics went close on several occasions and Scunthorpe’s David Mirfin cleared off the line but Scunthorpe forced some good saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen and a draw was just about the right result.

Gary Caldwell made two changes from Monday’s win at Fleetwood, with Yanic Wildschut and Chris McCann replacing Reece James and Donald Love.

The Iron opened strongly with Kevin Van Veen getting two strikes on goal before Andy Kellett threatened the home defence and Yanic Wildschut had a shot saved by Luke Daniels.

Despite Latics enjoying plenty of possession in the opening period it was Scunthorpe who took the lead on 20 minutes through Luke Williams.

Scott Laird’s low cross was met by an unmarked Luke Williams and the striker had an easy finish from close range.

Latics responded quickly with Wildschut breaking free and crossing for Will Grigg but the danger was cleared. Max Power tried his luck from distance and then Wildschut cut in from the left but his shot went wide of the target.

But Latics were level on 34 minutes when Max Power produced a superb pass from his own half into the path of Michael Jacobs.

The former Wolves man chested the ball down and struck his shot from the edge of the area and the ball curved away from the keeper and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The teams went into the interval evenly matched, but Latics started the second half in the ascendancy.

David Perkins had an appeal for a penalty when his shot hit the arm of David Mirfin, then Wildschut forced his way into the box and struck a shot just wide of Daniels’ far post. Grigg then cut inside and fired an effort over the crossbar.

Latics went close again when Jacobs drove down the left hand side and crossed low into the box, but Andy Kellett was unable to make the contact which would surely have resulted in a goal.

Jordy Hiwula replaced Kellett after 71 minutes and the young striker had a chance to score in the 77th minute but Mirfin diverted his goalbound header off the line.

Wildschut then went on a typical run from inside his own half but his final shot went wide of the target.

Latics created another opportunity in the 85th minute when Jacobs went on a great jinking run and crossed for Jason Pearce, but the big defender was unable make a good enough contact to convert the chance.

Scunthorpe however, might have stolen the points in the dying minutes when Jaaskelainen was forced into an excellent double save from Scunthorpe skipper Stephen Dawson.

A draw was a fair result and Scunthorpe had certainly been more formidable opponents than in their 3-0 drubbing at the DW Stadium earlier in the season.

Fans’ favourite Yanic Wildschut’s loan period has now come to an end but the supporters are hoping that he will be returning to Latics in the very near future.

Gary Caldwell has informed the media that Latics have made a transfer bid for the ‘Flying Dutchman’, and the winger has expressed his desire to leave Middlesbrough and to sign for the club permanently.

 

Posted in League One, Luke Williams, Michael Jacobs, Scunthorpe United, Wigan Athletic, Yanic Wildschut | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

12th Man – 23 battles ahead

Posted on January 1, 2016 by ianhaspinall
The DW Stadium

What will the New Year bring at the DW Stadium?

We have now reached the halfway point in the 2015/16 season and Latics have put themselves in with a great chance of promotion back to the Championship.

At the beginning of the season I felt that given all the changes at the club they might struggle to challenge for the play-offs.

There had been a huge turnover in playing staff, a new manager in Gary Caldwell and new chairman in David Sharpe.

But the ship has been steadied and the dark days of Malky Mackay are now behind them and the prospects for the rest of the season are looking very good.

Caldwell has made some excellent signings and has generally made good use of the loan system. He has borrowed the stylings of former manager Roberto Martinez and he encourages his players to play football in the ‘right way’.

Caldwell’s players are generally comfortable in possession but they do sometimes struggle to move the ball forward quickly enough and many attacks fizzle out too easily.

Wigan will need to show some improvement both offensively and defensively if they are to secure an automatic promotion place.

They have strikers such as Will Grigg and Jordy Hiwula who are capable of firing the team to promotion, but they are not currently getting a good enough service from the rest of the team.

Defensively there have been too many costly lapses in concentration. Sometimes it is not possible to defend against creative attackers, but Latics’ defenders have made too many unnecessary mistakes so far this season.

The steadying influence of Craig Morgan and Jason Pearce has had a positive effect, but the other defenders need to eradicate the mistakes.

An astute use of the transfer window can certainly improve Wigan’s options. Defender Andy Kellett has been playing in an advanced midfield position but the addition of a creative central midfield player could provide more ammunition for the strikers.

The club is currently in negotiations with Middlesbrough to retain the services of fans’ favourite Yanic Wildschut and if this can be sorted, it would be a massive boost to their promotion chances going into the second half of the season.

Latics are currently in fifth spot in the table and are eight points away from the top two teams Walsall and Burton. Only 14 points separate first from 10th in League One and I expect it to get even tighter as the race for promotion hots up.

Sheffield United, Millwall and Bradford are all capable of bursting into the promotion zone and Latics must know they will have to battle in the 23 games ahead to win promotion.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 1st January 2016.

Posted in Andy Kellett, David Sharpe, Gary Caldwell, League One, Wigan Athletic, Yanic Wildschut | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Late show keeps Latics in the hunt – Fleetwood Town 1 Wigan Athletic 3

Posted on December 28, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Fleetwood away

Fleetwood’s Highbury Stadium

Two goals in the final seven minutes ensured that Wigan Athletic remain in the hunt for promotion after defeating Fleetwood Town 3-1 at the Highbury Stadium.

After a lacklustre opening Latics took the lead in the 39th minute when Andy Kellett’s effort from the edge of the area evaded Fleetwood keeper Chris Maxwell.

But Latics failed to build on their lead and in the 69th minute Antoni Sarcevic drew Fleetwood level from the penalty spot.

Following the introduction of substitutes Yanic Wildschut and Jordy Hiwula, Latics looked more dangerous going forward and it was Hiwula who converted Wildschut’s blocked shot to regain Wigan the advantage in the 83rd minute.

With 90 minutes on the clock Michael Jacobs sealed the victory when his shot went into the net via the chest of Maxwell following a Wigan breakaway.

Gary Caldwell’s team were unchanged from the win at Barnsley, with Chris McCann and Haris Vuckic replacing Tim Chow and Alex Revell on the substitutes bench.

Neither team gained the upper hand in the opening minutes and Latics struggled to create any clear-cut openings.

In fact the opening 38 minutes were so dire that Andy Kellett’s goal in the 39th minute came almost completely out of the blue.

The diminutive midfielder dispossessed Amari’i Bell on the right hand side and brought the ball forward and unleashed a low effort from the edge of the box which Maxwell was unable to keep out.

Jacobs then stung Maxwell’s hands again two minutes later as Latics looked to increase their lead before the interval.

Will Grigg went close early in the second half when he twice forced saves from Maxwell.

Then a Power corner found Daniels at the far post and Maxwell tipped his header on to the bar, before Jacobs’ attempted an overhead kick but the danger was cleared.

Power then smashed a free-kick against the crossbar as Latics looked to finish off their opponents.

But Latics always looked vulnerable defensively and when Daniels brought down David Ball, Antoni Sarcevic converted the penalty to draw Fleetwood level.

Latics build up play had been far too slow throughout and it was starting to look as though the home team might provide an unlikely victory.

Jaaskelainen made an excellent fingertip save from Ashley Hunter’s shot from the edge of the box, then had to save from Tariqe Fosu as Fleetwood went for the winner.

Wildschut and Hiwula were introduced in the 78th minute in place of Kellett and Reece James.

Wigan’s forward play became more direct and Wildschut almost immediately made an impact.

The Dutch winger found himself free in front of goal following Jacobs’ pass, but he somehow failed to connect. But a minute later the Flying Dutchman cut inside several defenders and powered a low shot which Maxwell was unable to hold and Hiwula pounced to regain Wigan the lead.

Conor McLaughlin had a great opportunity to draw Fleetwood back level but he fired into the side netting.

In the 90th minute Jacobs sealed the points when he was played through by Hiwula and he finished via the chest of Maxwell, much to the delight of the travelling army of Latics’ supporters.

Wigan move up to fifth and Fleetwood drop to 21st in the League One table.

Posted in Andy Kellett, Fleetwood Town, Jordy Hiwula, League One, Michael Jacobs, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Promotion bandwagon is back on course – Barnsley 0 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on December 19, 2015 by ianhaspinall
andy-kellett

Andy Kellett scored his first goal for Latics

Latics ended their poor run of form with an important 2-0 victory at struggling Barnsley.

Andy Kellett’s first goal for the club and a late opportunist finish by substitute Yanic Wildschut ensured the three points went back to Lancashire.

The Tykes remain in the relegation zone and Latics move up to fifth in the League One table with the busy Christmas season ahead.

Gary Caldwell made four changes to the line-up from last week’s defeat at home to Blackpool. Captain Craig Morgan was surprisingly back from injury and Michael Jacobs, Donervon Daniels and Andy Kellett replaced Yanic Wildschut, Craig Davies, Leon Barnett and Don Cowie.

Barnsley started brightly and looked to make an early breakthrough. But Latics gradually settled into the match and Will Grigg had a shot saved by Adam Davies after ten minutes.

Latics build up play was initially pedestrian but on 18 minutes they went ahead with some swift link-up play.

Kellett played a neat one-two with Jacobs on the edge of the box and finished high into the top right hand corner of the Barnsley net as Davies advanced towards him.

Latics were now controlling possession and the home team were finding it increasingly difficult to make an impression going forward.

Wigan continued to control the game after the interval when Grigg set up Max Power but his shot from the edge of the box went just wide of the Tykes goal.

Kellett then had a great chance to double the lead on 60 minutes when he was played through by Jacobs, but the keeper managed to get his foot to the former Bolton player’s shot and it was deflected away for a corner.

Kellett was replaced by striker Alex Revell soon afterwards as Latics looked to take advantage of Barnsley pressing for an equaliser.

The home team pushed forward in the final minutes but Latics always looked dangerous on the break.

Yanic Wildschut replaced Grigg in the 84th minute and the Dutchman was to make an almost immediate impact.

The dynamic winger nipped between defender Lewin Nyatanga and keeper Davies to steal the ball, score an opportunist goal and seal the points, much to the delight of the travelling band of Wigan supporters.

Posted in Andy Kellett, Barnsley, League One, Wigan Athletic, Yanic Wildschut | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man – Have the wheels fallen off our promotion bandwagon?

Posted on December 18, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Gary Caldwell, Wigan Athletic

Some difficult decisions ahead for Gary Caldwell

Latics have gone from heroes to zeros in the space of only a few weeks. And the fans are wondering if the wheels have come off Wigan’s promotion bus.

Latics travel to Oakwell on Saturday to face a resurgent Barnsley team who ended their hopes of Wembley in the JPT. If Latics were to lose at Barnsley they could drop out of the out of the play-off zone.

The pressure is increasing on Gary Caldwell and his team to stop the rot. It is evident that the players are under-performing and the manager needs to review his tactics.

Latics currently lack the creativity to break down the opposition. The midfield players are not providing the quality ammunition for the forwards.

The build up play is too slow and predictable and other teams have found it easy to nullify any attacks. The team has been relying on the individual brilliance of Yanic Wildschut and if he is well marked we do not threaten.

Caldwell is struggling to decide on his best attacking players. He has rotated his forward players regularly with Craig Davies, Will Grigg, Alex Revell, Yanic Wildschut, Michael Jacobs, Jordi Hiwula and Haris Vuckic all featuring at different times.

The manager needs to find the right combination and vary his tactical approach to get back to winning ways.

During Latics’ successful period they closed down quickly, won the ball with efficiency and moved the ball forward quickly.

They should now return to this type of play, make better use of the 4-4-2 formation, adopt a pressing game and pose a bigger threat going forward.

They need more creativity from midfield and they need to attack on both flanks. With Wildschut and Jacobs as the wide men and Grigg and others getting into the box they are capable of scoring more goals.

There is also a strong case for Francisco Junior as a creative option in midfield. But whatever the line-up the players need to get back to their previous good habits if they are to combat the current malaise.

Latics are, of course, capable of turning it around, but the players must take greater responsibility and the manager will have to make some difficult decisions about his team and tactics if they are going to be successful.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 18th December 2015.

Posted in Barnsley, Gary Caldwell, League One, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Simply not good enough – Wigan Athletic 0 Blackpool 1

Posted on December 13, 2015 by ianhaspinall
donervon-daniels73-2690784_231x264

Donervon Daniels had a great opportunity to equalise

Another abject home performance by Wigan Athletic allowed crisis club Blackpool to take all three points at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

An unchallenged Tom Aldred headed home from a corner in the 36th minute to give Blackpool an unlikely advantage.

But despite Latics having plenty of possession they lacked the creativity and guile to unlock a resilient and hard working Seasiders defence.

Wigan subsequently drop down to sixth in the table while Blackpool moved out of the relegation zone to 19th.

Gary Caldwell made four changes to the side which lost in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy against Barnsley last week, with Don Cowie, Craig Davies, Donald Love and Yanic Wildschut replacing Jack Hendry, Michael Jacobs, Alex Revell and Andy Kellett.

The match commenced in heavy rain and strong winds making conditions difficult for the players.

Blackpool were the first to show when David Ferguson shot from the edge of the area and his effort just cleared the crossbar.

The Seasiders goalkeeper Dean Lyness then spilled a low cross from Will Grigg but unfortunately no Latics player was on hand to capitalise.

Blackpool were not looking like a team low on confidence and Mark Cullen forced good save from Jussi Jaaskelainen in the sixteenth minute.

Latics were struggling to create any clear-cut opportunities and the Seasiders were looking the more dangerous and they went ahead on 36 minutes.

Abysmal defending by Latics allowed an unchallenged Tom Aldred to head home at the near post from a corner.

Latics tried to respond and a good effort by Will Grigg from the edge of the area was deflected just wide of the target.

Max Power then tried his luck from with a free kick from 30 yards but the ball sailed just over the Blackpool crossbar.

But the visitors were deservedly ahead at the interval as they had mastered the conditions much better and had showed greater desire and commitment than the home team.

Donervon Daniels replaced Don Cowie at the interval and he had a great opportunity just nine minutes into the second half. An unmarked Daniels had a free header from a corner but he headed well wide of the Seasiders goal.

Latics were now enjoying even more possession but they were struggling to penetrate a well-drilled Blackpool defence and were being restricted to shooting from distance.

Donald Love shot from 25 yards forced Dean Lyness into a good save and then Max Power fired over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Substitute Michael Jacobs created an opportunity for Grigg and then Power but neither player could make the most of it.

Grigg did go close on 74 minutes when he forced a great save from Lyness. The striker met a low cross from Power inside the area and unleashed a powerful drive but the keeper managed to tip the ball over.

Blackpool continued to defy Latics by defending in depth and closing down quickly when Latics found any space.

Latics build up play was often pedestrian and predictable which further helped Blackpool’s cause. Latics did not move the ball quickly enough and they lacked the creativity to unlock the visitors defence.

Yanic Wildschut was limited to only occasional forward runs and when he did get the ball he was well marked by the Pool defenders.

Michael Jacobs did have a late opportunity when he shot from the edge of the area, but Lyness was able to save and the three points deservedly went to the visitors.

Posted in Blackpool, League One, Tom Aldred, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

12th Man – Latics need a boost after JPT exit

Posted on December 11, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Wigan manager Gary Caldwell

Gary Caldwell hurting after JPT exit

The fans were angered and frustrated when Latics lost out on penalties to League One bottom club Barnsley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Latics had been within touching distance of Wembley and the disappointment was palpable last Saturday evening.

But the man who was probably hurting most was Gary Caldwell. The manager has only been in post for eight months but he knew he had a fantastic opportunity to take his team to Wembley in his first full season in charge.

Caldwell could not hide his frustration when he spoke to the media afterwards:

“It is hugely disappointing for everybody; there are not many times in your life that you get the opportunity to win a trophy and, not only that, but one playing at a stadium like Wembley and we have let that opportunity pass us by.”

Caldwell now has the big task of lifting his players for the league campaign. He also has to deal with injuries and the loss of form of key players.

Latics were without Donervon Daniels and Donald Love against Barnsley, but for me the biggest absence was the steadying influence of captain Craig Morgan.

Morgan marshals the defence to great effect, he is comfortable on the ball and is cool under pressure. His continued absence during the Christmas period will not help Latics’ cause.

Several players have struggled with their form in recent weeks, for example David Perkins and Michael Jacobs, who were impressive in the early part of the season, have not been producing their best.

Alex Revell made a good start in the win at Rochdale and scored against Shrewsbury but has subsequently failed to make an impact.

Fortunately Will Grigg got back on the goal trail with a brace against Barnsley and hopefully this will give him the boost he needs to get firing regularly again.

Yanic Wildschut continues to be Latics’ best offensive threat, and he could prove to be a defining factor in their promotion campaign.

The manager will be very aware that the player’s loan deal comes to an end in January and he should do everything in his power to retain the Dutchman’s services.

Every manager has to deal with bad results during a season but the sign of a good manager is how he gets his players to respond to a setback.

Caldwell now has to ensure that his players quickly put the Barnsley result behind them and get back to doing the right things on the pitch.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 11th December 2015.

Posted in Gary Caldwell, Johnstone's Paint Trophy, League One, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment