12th Man – Martinez, Caldwell and the crucial three

Posted on January 22, 2016 by ianhaspinall

 

Gary Caldwell3

Former captain and now manager Gary Caldwell

Latics’ two recent games against Sheffield United and Chesterfield have demonstrated the importance of getting it right at both ends of the pitch.

At 3-0 up against United, the team didn’t close the game down and they neglected their defensive duties, allowing an unlikely comeback by the Blades.

However, last Saturday’s convincing 3-1 victory at home to Chesterfield means Latics go into tomorrow’s away fixture at Crewe Alexandra in confident mood.

In particular, the first half performance against the Spireites was a joy to behold, with three superb goals from Max Power, Reece James and Michael Jacobs, this time giving Latics an unassailable lead.

If Latics can continue their blistering forward play they must also show greater resilience in defence. Gary Caldwell has struggled to fill the right wing-back position with Johnjoe Kenny, Donald Love and Donervon Daniels occupying the role at various times.

With the addition of Reece Wabara they now have a player who is used to the role and has the potential to fill the position permanently. If Wabara can make the position his own, it will give Daniels the chance to fight for one of the ‘crucial three’ centre back positions.

Captain Craig Morgan and vice-captain Jason Pearce have made the other two centre back places their own with consistent performances, but the third centre back position remains problematic.

Caldwell will be familiar with the importance of the ‘crucial three’ at the back.
During the club’s most successful period in the Premier League and FA Cup
triumph, Roberto Martinez’s innovative use of the back three was the foundation.

Martinez was one of the first managers to lead the way in adopting a back three in England and others soon followed.

Martinez was heavily influenced by the European game and in particular Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli and Udinese’s Franceso Guidolin.

In the 2011/12 season Wigan were looking for a solution to their disappointing early form, so Martinez introduced a change in formation to 3-4-3.

In the last ten games of the season, which featured six wins, many of which were against the top teams, they dominated their opponents.

Caldwell was the Wigan captain at the time and he saw at first hand how successful this system could be. In the first half of the 4-0 win against Newcastle they were virtually unstoppable.

Every outfield player contributed to the attacking play while the Latics back three of Alcaraz, Caldwell and Figueroa were outstanding and gave nothing away.

A major bonus of the system was the flexibility: given different types of opponents or a change in personnel they could adapt to 3-4-2-1.

During the last ten games of 2011/12 and at the beginning of the 2012/13 season the formation was a base 3-4-2-1 that at times looked like a 3-4-3 and at times like a 4-4-1-1.

The ‘crucial three’ provides flexibility without sacrificing too much defensive strength.

Martinez designed a playing system that has a back three and one up front and six players who can adjust as required – which Caldwell is now utilising successfully in League One.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 22nd January 2016.

Posted in Crewe Alexandra, Gary Caldwell, League One, Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Power strikes Wigan to victory – Wigan Athletic 3 Chesterfield 1

Posted on January 16, 2016 by ianhaspinall
Max Power2

Max Power produced a super strike

A dominant first 45 minutes enabled Latics to record a comfortable 3-1 home win against Chesterfield at the DW Stadium.

A superb 25 yard strike by Max Power on six minutes set Wigan on their way and further first half goals by Reece James and Michael Jacobs reflected their dominance.

Latics had chances to extend their lead during the second half but it was the Spireites who pulled a late goal back on 79 minutes through Ollie Banks.

Wigan remain in fifth place in the League One table but they have reduced the gap on the teams above them and are now level points with fourth placed Coventry and three points behind third placed Gillingham.

Latics made two changes from the team which had drawn with Sheffield United, with Reece James, Jordy Hiwula and new signing Reece Webara coming into the team in place of Leon Barnett, Chris McCann and Will Grigg.

Latics picked up from from their first half performance against Sheffield United and attacked from the kick off.

They went ahead after only six minutes through a Max Power wonder strike.

The former Tranmere Rovers player picked up the ball in midfield after good work by Michael Jacobs, before hitting a shot from 25 yards that looped into the top right hand corner of the Chesterfield net.

Latics continued to go forward and Max Power twice tested the Spireites defence from distance, although both efforts were deflected away.

The visitors tried to respond with Jay O’Shea firing in a low effort on 21 minutes which Jaaskelainen pushed away into the six yard box and fortunately for Latics no Chesterfield player was on hand to finish.

Vuckic then went close for the home team. The Slovenian international received the ball in a good position in the area but was ultimately crowded out by the Chesterfield defence.

The visitors nearly drew level soon afterwards when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake surged forward and released Lee Novak. The former Huddersfield striker broke into the area but was denied by excellent goalkeeping from Jaaskelainen who dived at the feet of the onrushing forward to make the save.

Latics then practically sealed all three points with two goals in under two minutes.

The first came when Reece Wabara attacked down the right hand side before cutting the ball back to Reece James on the edge of the area and the former Manchester United player positioned himself before side footing the ball into the top left hand corner of the Spireites net.

The second came almost immediately from the re-start through Michael Jacobs. The winger broke free from the visitors defence and expertly chipped the ball over the advancing Tommy Lee in the Chesterfield goal.

Latics had dominated the opening half and should have been more than three ahead at the interval. Max Power, David Perkins and Michael Jacobs had all been outstanding for the home team.

They continued their onslaught of the Spireites goal at the opening of the second half.

Jacobs forced Lee into a low stop on 51 minutes and Power had an opportunity when Vuckic had set him up, but the midfielder fired straight at the Chesterfield keeper.

Jacobs was proving a constant threat and when he cut in from the left he had an opportunity to add to Latics’ tally, but he fired his effort straight at the keeper.

Chesterfield got a foothold in the game on 79 minutes when Ollie Banks scored after Jaaskelainen was unable to hold his low shot from the edge of the area.

The visitors pushed forward hoping to make a fight of it, but Gary Caldwell made tactical changes, introducing Craig Davies, Yanic Wildschut and reinforcing the midfield with Tim Chow, and Latics were able to dig in to secure another important victory in their push for promotion.

 

Posted in Chesterfield, League One, Max Power, Michael Jacobs, Ollie Banks, Reece James, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man – Not a time to panic

Posted on January 15, 2016 by ianhaspinall
David Perkins

David Perkins has been a key player in Latics’ successes this season

It was hugely disappointing to be pegged back from 3-0 up against Sheffield United on Tuesday night, but hopefully Gary Caldwell will have learned some important lessons about his players.

A number of factors contributed to Latics’ collapse against the Blades. At 3-0 they looked confident to push on and score more goals but they were perhaps too confident.

Committing too many men forward at a time when they risked being hit on the counter attack was dangerous. They often had four or five players in advanced positions and the shape of the team was affected.

Latics right hand side was particularly vulnerable as Donervon Daniels pushed too far forward and neglected his defensive duties and Leon Barnett had another out of sorts performance in the centre of defence.

Latics certainly became complacent after going 3-0 up. They should have closed the game down by retaining possession and controlling the midfield, and they neglected their defensive duties.

An angry Gary Caldwell commented after the game,

“We stopped working, we stopped running, we stopped heading it, we stopped tracking people. If you do that, you’re going to get punished – and we got punished. “

It should not be forgotten that Sheffield United are a decent team who could be involved in the play-offs at the end of the season. The Blades looked good going forward and they have good strikers in Matt Done and Billy Sharp who have scored 18 goals between them.

But perhaps the most significant factor was the forced substitution of David Perkins due to an ankle injury.

The combative midfielder has been a key player in Latics’ successes this season. Perkins does a lot of the hard work in midfield breaking up opposition attacks, winning the ball and setting up play.

It was no coincidence that with Perkins’ departure on 65 minutes and the introduction of Don Cowie that the midfield lost it’s grip and the Blades fightback got going.

Caldwell will no doubt make some strategic changes to his starting line-up after a poor last 20 minutes and he will also expect a swift response from his players.

But the manager will not panic; he knows that Latics have good quality in the squad and that they are still within striking distance of the automatic promotion places with 20 games remaining.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 15th January 2016.

Posted in David Perkins, Don Cowie, Gary Caldwell, League One, Leon Barnett, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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