12th Man: Lack of goal threat is costing us dearly

Posted on March 13, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Billy McKay

Billy McKay has only been given cameo roles since his arrival from Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Latics home form was once again their downfall against Leeds United and the odds are now stacked against Championship survival. Eight points from safety with ten games remaining it will be a tall order to escape the drop, but Latics have done it many times in the past and they could still do it again.

The current away form is very good with three victories at Reading, Blackpool and Norwich City. Wigan have been doing better on the road, usually when a counter attacking approach is required.

Saturday’s opponents Rotherham United are nine points ahead of Wigan and they will be a tough nut to crack. They know that if they avoid defeat they will maintain the nine-point gap between the two sides.

I’m sure Rotherham’s notorious manager Steve Evans will try every trick in the book to get one over on Wigan. His harassment of the match officials at the DW Stadium in December was something to behold and his track record suggests he is unlikely to change his ways anytime soon.

But Latics are often at their best when the odds are stacked against them. Who can forget Paul Jewell’s team winning the final game of the 2006/07 season against Sheffield United to stay up, or Hugo Rodallega’s late winner at Stoke City on the last day of the 2010/11 season. Such dramatic events are never far away when Wigan are around.

Wigan are looking more solid defensively with the arrivals of Jason Pearce, Harry Maguire and Gaetan Bong. Add to that the creativity of Kim Bo-Kyung and Sheyi Ojo in midfield and Latics have the makings of a decent team.

But they must improve in the final third, where goal scoring has been a major problem. Marc-Antoine Fortune has only hit the net once in the league this season and loan striker Leon Clarke is struggling with a hamstring injury.

Billy McKay has only been given cameo roles since his arrival from Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Irish international James McClean continues to be Latics biggest threat, but he has only scored six goals.

Malky Mackay has indicated his desire to bring in another striker on loan but time is running out for Saturday’s game. The fans have a big role to play in the run in to the end of the season and it will be good to see as many as possible make the trip to Rotherham and get behind the team like they did at Blackpool.

Fulham are just above Latics and eight points ahead and are away at Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. Their current poor form of one win in nine games gives Latics hope that they, Brighton and Rotherham could be overhauled.

Millwall are just below Wigan and may get a winning ‘bounce’ from the departure of Ian Holloway and the appointment of local hero Neil Harris as caretaker manager.

So Latics will have to put together a winning run and that will have to include home games starting against Watford on Tuesday night. But first things first, a win at Rotherham is crucial if Wigan are to kick-start another great escape.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 13th March 2015.

Posted in Billy McKay, Championship, Rotherham United, Steve Evans, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wigan’s home form continues to frustrate – Wigan Athletic 0 Leeds United 1

Posted on March 8, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Dave Whelan

Dave Whelan gave a rousing speech prior to kick off. Photograph courtesy of Wigan Athletic

Wigan’s disastrous run of home form continued when they went down 1-0 to Leeds United on Saturday. Latics dominated possession and created numerous chances but once again they were unable to capitalise on their dominance.

Alex Mowatt’s quality finish just after half time was enough to secure all three points for the visitors.

It was an emotional day for Wigan fans as outgoing Chairman Dave Whelan gave a rousing speech prior to kick off and couldn’t resist having a dig at the Leeds United fans stating ‘ …you are a great club, but you haven’t won the FA Cup for 25 years!’

Malky Mackay made just one change from the victory at Norwich City on Wednesday night with Sheyi Ojo returning to the line-up in place of Leon Clarke.

It was a very competitive opening to the game with both teams battling for possession and neither gaining the upper hand.

Latics first opportunity came in the 22nd minute when Liverpool loanee Ojo cut in from the right hand side and fired his shot across the Leeds goal and wide of Silvestri’s far post.

As the half progressed the Wigan fans became increasingly frustrated with referee Geoff Eltringham’s lenient approach to the Leeds players physical challenges preventing the home teams’ progress.  A more competent official would have given several early bookings to the Leeds players for persistent fouling.

Latics continued to press forward but were unable to create any clear cut chances and the teams went in level at the interval.

The second half commenced with Wigan having an early appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Eltringham. Substitute Don Cowie drove into the Leeds area but as he progressed forward he was taken out by Giuseppe Bellusci and despite appeals by Latics players the referee awarded a corner.

From the resulting corner Latics might have gone ahead. Sheyi Ojo fired in a low cross in the direction of McClean, and the Irishman’s first time effort at the near post produced an excellent save from Marco Silvestri.

But against the run of play Leeds went in front on 55 minutes. The ball was knocked into the box from the left and unfortunately hit Jason Pearce, fell into the path of Alex Mowatt on the edge of the area, and the midfielder finished with some aplomb past Scott Carson.

Latics tried to respond and went close twice soon afterwards when Marc-Antoine Fortune put two excellent low balls across the six yard box but agonisingly no Latics players were able to get the vital contact.

Wigan’s luck certainly seemed to be out and it was confirmed on 65 minutes when Kim-Bo Kyung’s goal bound volley hit team-mate James McClean in the area and deflected away to safety.

McClean then had his free kick well tipped over acrobatically by Silvestri. Referee Eltringham added seven minutes of added time and Wigan continued to press for the equaliser.

Harry Maguire headed William Kvist’s long throw into the path of McClean and the striker’s first time effort smashed frustratingly into the side netting proving that it was just not to be for Latics.

Wigan had enjoyed 60 per cent possession and had 19 shots but their inability to take their chances had once again been their downfall. They are now eight points from Championship safety with ten games remaining.

Next up is a trip to relegation rivals Rotherham and a win is essential if Wigan are to have any chance of survival.

Posted in Championship, Dave Whelan, Leeds United, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man: Whelan’s contribution has been nothing less than incredible

Posted on March 6, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Roberto Martinez and Dave Whelan

FA Cup winners Roberto Martinez and Dave Whelan

It’s been a momentous week in the history of Wigan Athletic. The retirement of Dave Whelan, the appointment of his grandson David Sharpe as his successor, and two back-to-back wins for the first time since August have revived hopes of surviving relegation.

The announcement that Dave Whelan was retiring after 20 years came as a shock to some, but it was always going to happen in the near future and it became more likely following his ban for his comments in support of Malky Mackay and his acceptance of an FA charge.

Dave Whelan’s contribution to Wigan has been nothing less than incredible. When Whelan took over in 1995 Latics were struggling in the bottom division and few could have expected that the club would have such a meteoric rise.

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

When Whelan said he would he would take the club into the Premier League many people mocked. When he said he would like to see the Latics play in the FA Cup Final many people said it was an impossible dream. But during Whelan’s chairmanship Wigan did these extraordinary things.

Whelan’s investment in Wigan should also be recognised for the social and economic benefits it has brought to the town. The DW Stadium development and associated sporting facilities are a huge bonus for the local community. Raising the town’s profile in front of a global TV audience has had many positive benefits.

He has also given significant financial support for Wigan Youth Zone, which has made a big contribution to the sporting and life opportunities for young people in the town.

Whelan has invested heavily in the club, and despite the club’s current position near the bottom of the Championship it is in a sound financial position and without the debt of many other Football League clubs.

Whelan has achieved so much more than he could ever have imagined, Wigan Athletic fans should be very grateful for an amazing 20 years of success. The Whelan family has confirmed that the club is not for sale and they will remain as majority shareholders.

The appointment of his grandson 23-year-old David Sharpe as his successor makes him the youngest Chairman of a Football League club. It is certainly a risk to appoint someone of his age to such a high-profile position, but he will have the experienced CEO Jonathan Jackson alongside him and he will also have his grandfather as his mentor.

The back-to-back away wins at Blackpool and Norwich City have reignited the hope that Latics can survive in the Championship. Wigan have now reduced the deficit to fourth bottom Rotherham to six points.

Leeds United are our next opponents and are in a rich vein of form, but if we can win our first home game since August it will round off what has been a momentous week for the club.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 6th March 2015.

Posted in Dave Whelan, David Sharpe, Europa League, FA Cup, League Cup, Premier League, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wigan boost survival hopes – Norwich City 0 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on March 4, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Norwich City, Carrow Road

Norwich City, Carrow Road

Latics strengthened their hopes of a great escape from relegation with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at promotion chasing Norwich City.

An eighth minute volley from Kim BO-kyung was enough for Latics to secure a surprise three points and prevent the Canaries from moving into the automatic promotion places.

Norwich dominated possession but were unable to overcome a well-drilled and determined Latics defence.

Malky Mackay made one change from the team which won away at Blackpool at the weekend with Leon Clarke replacing Sheyi Ojo.

The Latics lined up with a 442 formation with James McClean and Jermaine Pennant offering plenty of width to get forward and support the central strikers Marc-Antoine Fortune and Leon Clarke.

Graham Dorrans fired the first shot for Norwich on six minutes when he fired wide after Wigan had been pushed back into their own penalty area.

But Wigan were ahead on eight minutes when Kim volleyed into the roof of Ruddy’s net from the edge of the six-yard box, following good work between Clarke and McClean at a throw-in.

Norwich surged forward in an attempt to grab a quick reply but they rarely managed to trouble Latics keeper Scott Carson.

The Canaries finally created a chance in stoppage time at the end of the first period, but the unmarked Cameron Jerome miscued his attempted header from 12 yards out.

The home team started the second half on the front foot and pressing Latics in the final third, but they were still unable to test Carson.

Latics always looked dangerous on the break and on 70 minutes they nearly doubled their lead when a poor back pass to Ruddy was chased down by Fortune but the striker was unable to get a toe to the ball.

Norwich continued to dominate possession but Latics maintained a resolute rearguard action.

The Wigan players were showing tremendous spirit and determination, with Kim and Emmerson Boyce probably the stand out performances, in what was an excellent team effort.

When Jerome finally turned the Latics defence in the 90th minute, the travelling fans hearts were in their mouths, but fortunately the striker blazed high and wide and Latics held on for what could prove to be a crucial victory.

The result means that Wigan have clawed back the points deficit to fourth bottom Rotherham to six points. A win on Saturday at home to Leeds United would set up what may prove to be a relegation decider at Rotherham on 14th March.

Posted in Championship, Emmerson Boyce, Kim Bo-Kyung, Norwich City, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Great Wigan Athletic escapes

Posted on March 3, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Hugo Rodallega cebrates the winner

Hugo Rodallega celebrates the winner at Stoke City on the last day of the 2010/11 season

Last Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Blackpool has revived hopes that Wigan can avoid the drop to League One. Latics are in deep trouble, nine points from safety with only twelve games remaining, but over the years they have managed some great escapes from the relegation zone.

In the 1988/89 season Latics were in the Third Division (now League One) and for most of the season they looked like serious relegation candidates. They remained close to the bottom four for much of the season.

But when the manager Ray Mathias was sacked in early March he was replaced by Chief Executive and former manager Brian Hamilton with Tommy Cavanagh appointed as his assistant.

Hamilton was responsible for a major upturn in form and he helped to secure Wigan’s place in the division. He managed to convince key players Joe Parkinson and Alan Johnson to sign new contracts at a time when if they had left, Latics would probably have been relegated.

Wigan were one of six teams embroiled in the scrap to avoid the four relegation places, but they lost only one of their last 12 League games winning six and drawing five and finished in 17th place.

In more recent times Latics have fought some amazing battles against relegation from the Premier League.

Paul Jewell’s team went into the final game of the 2006/07 season without a win in eleven games and looking likely to be relegated from the top division. Latics knew that only victory at relegation rivals Sheffield United would be enough to keep them up.

It was a relentless battle with both teams desperate for the victory. Latics took the lead through a well taken Paul Scharner low drive but United equalised through a John Stead header.

Latics lost captain Arjan de Zeeuw through injury and later striker Lee McCulloch to a red card, but they won a penalty that was converted by former Blade David Unsworth to lead 2-1.

The tide of United pressure after McCulloch’s sending off was seemingly endless, with one effort by Danny Webber hitting the post and rolling agonisingly along the Wigan goal line.

Centre forward Emile Heskey was driven further and further back into defence and was to play a major role in Wigan’s successful rearguard action.

Latics had survived but it was a hard result to take for Sheffield United, as West Ham, who had fielded an ineligible player Carlos Tevez, won at Manchester United and the Blades were relegated to the Championship.

It was real Roy of the Rovers stuff at the end of the 2010/11 season as Latics had to win their final two games of the season to survive. It was all going wrong when they were 2-0 down at half time to relegation rivals West Ham in their penultimate game.

The roller coaster encounter saw Latics come back and win 3-2 in the 94th minute with a modern-day Roy Race that was Charles N’Zogbia getting the last gasp winner.

Wigan went to Stoke City on the last day of the season knowing that they would need to win and other results to go their way if they were to stay up.

With 13 minutes remaining they were in the relegation zone, but a Manchester United goal against Blackpool and then Hugo Rodallega’s 78th minute headed goal made them safe.

Cue wild celebrations with Roberto Martinez being bounced in the air by the players and then throwing his lucky jacket to the fans, wallet included! Dave Whelan showered in champagne by Hugo and then warmly embraced by Roberto.

The 2011/12 season ended in rather bizarre circumstances as Wigan secured an eighth season in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory and in the process relegated Blackburn Rovers. When Rovers’ controversial Indian owners Venkys took over in 2010 they did not appreciate that the club could be relegated.

In the strange surroundings of a hostile home crowd chanting for the removal of the owner’s and manager Steve Kean, Wigan had to maintain their concentration and focus on the crucial task in hand.

The prospect of a mass pitch invasion from the protesters was always a possibility and one Rovers fan did get on the pitch and in a rather futile gesture throw his season ticket towards the beleaguered Kean, but the ticket only ended up near Roberto Martinez.

Even the bizarre sight of a chicken dressed in Rovers’ colours entering the pitch in Ali Al-Habsi’s goalmouth could not distract Wigan from achieving an historic result.

Wigan had completed the season winning six of their last eight matches, beating Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle in the process. Some of Wigan’s play during this run was a joy to watch and more in keeping with a top four club than a team fighting against relegation.

Latics will have to pull out all the stops if they are survive this season, but they’ve done it before and they could do it again.

Posted in Brian Hamilton, Charles N'Zogbia, David Unsworth, Hugo Rodallega, Paul Jewell, Paul Scharner, Ray Mathias, Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics win battle of the basement – Blackpool 1 Wigan Athletic 3

Posted on March 1, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Blackpool FC, Bloomfield Road by Footyawaydays

Aerial view of Bloomfield Road, Blackpool FC by Footyawaydays

Wigan deservedly won the battle of the Championship’s basement clubs with a 3-1 victory at Bloomfield Road.

The three points maintained Latics’ slim hopes of survival but virtually condemned the Seasiders to relegation to League One.

South Korean midfielder Kim Bo-Kyung gave Wigan the lead on the stroke of half time. On loan defender Harry Maguire headed a second on 67 minutes following Jermaine Pennant’s corner.

James McClean sealed the points for Latics on 79 minutes before Gary Madine got a consolation goal for the Seasiders in the closing stages.

Malky Mackay surprisingly made only one change to the team beaten 1-0 by Cardiff City with Scott Carson coming in to replace Ali Al-Habsi in goal.

Cheered on by over 2,000 travelling fans, Latics were on top from the start on a very difficult playing surface.

They might have gone ahead on 13 minutes as Jason Pearce got his head to Jermaine Pennant’s corner, but James Perch was just unable to get the final touch at the far post.

Kim Bo-Kyung was proving to be Latics most creative player and his promptings nearly created a goal for Pearce. The South Korean’s cross found the former Leeds defender but he couldn’t get quite enough power on his header to trouble Blackpool keeper Joe Lewis.

The conditions were making passing difficult and it was looking as though the teams would go into the interval level, but Latics took an important step towards victory on the the stroke of half time.

James McClean drove past two defenders before shooting low towards goal. Keeper Lewis, parried the shot and Pennant pulled the ball back to Kim to tap into the empty net.

Wigan had a scare early in the second half when Tony McMahon went down in the box as Carson came to claim Perkins’ through ball, but fortunately the referee Keith Stroud gave a yellow card for simulation.

Wigan’s back line was proving resolute with all four defenders on fine form. It was club captain Emmerson Boyce who came to the rescue on 62 minutes. A free-kick from Jamie O’Hara led to a scramble in front of goal before Tom Aldred’s effort from close range was superbly cleared off the line by Boyce.

Kim then set up Marc Antoine-Fortune with a great chance to double Latics’ lead, but the striker curled his effort wide from the edge of the area.

Latics were more successful a couple of minutes later when Pennant’s corner to the back post was headed back across goal by Harry Maguire and although it got a touch by Aldred, the ball hit the back of the net.

The game was sealed on 79 minutes when Kim broke quickly to the half-way line and played in three Latics’ players clear on goal. McClean was determined to have it and commanded the ball from Clarke and Fortune before rifling it past Lewis to secure the vital three points.

Blackpool managed a consolation goal on 85 minutes when Madine turned home McMahon’s cross but it was all too late for the Seasiders as Latics ran out comfortable winners.

Blackpool now look odds on for relegation and are 15 points adrift of safety. Latics sit 9 points behind Rotherham and Brighton and have revived their slim hopes of survival.

Posted in Blackpool, Championship, Gary Madine, Harry Maguire, James McClean, Kim Bo-Kyung, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

12th Man: It’s time to make a decisive move

Posted on February 27, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Nigel Adkins

‘Steady Nigel’ – Nigel Adkins

Another home game and another defeat and Malky Mackay’s days as Wigan Athletic manager are surely numbered. Latics might have been unlucky with the two offside decisions but overall they lacked any great conviction and rarely looked capable of overcoming a fairly average Cardiff team.

The desperately poor run of form continues and manager Mackay and his assistant David Kerslake look lost for ideas and unable to have any positive impact on results. Mackay has overseen a massive turnover in playing staff but results have only deteriorated since he took over.

Wigan have only won 2 of his 16 league games in charge and they are now 9 points from safety with 13 games remaining. It was a high-risk strategy to appoint Mackay given his controversial background but the risk has not worked out.

Not only has the team failed on the pitch, but also his appointment has been a PR disaster and has damaged the reputation of the club. Wigan’s relegation to League One looks imminent and now is the right moment for the club and Mackay to part company.

Dave Whelan has not spoken publicly since his FA ban for supporting Mackay but now is the time for a change in direction. If Whelan still has the best interests of the club at heart it is time to bite the bullet and make the change now in preparation for next season.

The club needs to appoint a manager who can change the ethos at the club and re-instill the team spirit that was evident under Roberto Martinez. We need a manager who will not only rebuild the squad but also improve the image of the club and create a new bond with the supporters.

My candidate for the role would be former Latics keeper Nigel Adkins who has been very successful as manager of Scunthorpe United and Southamption. ‘Steady Nigel’ played 155 games for Latics in the 1980’s and early 90’s and has an affinity for the club.

Latics fans named him ‘Steady Nigel’ as they used to shout it when he came for crosses. He knows League One very well and managed to get both the Iron and the Saints promoted from League One to the Championship.

At Southampton he took the club from League One to the Premier League and was very unfortunate to lose his job when the club were in a position above the relegation zone. Adkins went onto manage Reading, but despite finishing seventh in the Championship in his first full season in charge he was sacked after a 6-1 defeat at Birmingham City in December 2014.

Adkins is currently being linked with the vacancies at Coventry City and Peterborough United but Dave Whelan would be wise to act quickly, make the change in manager and interview ‘Steady Nigel’.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 27th February 2015.

Posted in Championship, Dave Whelan, Malky Mackay, Nigel Adkins, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Out of ideas and out of luck – Wigan Athletic 0 Cardiff City 1

Posted on February 25, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Malky Mackay and David Kerslake

Lost for ideas: Malky Mackay and 1st team coach David Kerslake

Wigan Athletic slumped to another disappointing home defeat when they lost 1-0 to Cardiff City and moved closer to the trap door to League One.

Aron Gunnarsson slotted home the game’s only goal after 20 minutes, although Latics had two goals disallowed for offside which on another day might have stood.

For a team supposedly fighting for survival Latics were toothless in attack and had fewer efforts on goal than the visitors.

Mackay made three changes to the side which was beaten by Charlton Athletic, with both Jermaine Pennant and Gaetan Bong making their first team debuts in place of the injured duo of Leon Clarke and William Kvist. Club captain Emmerson Boyce was recalled in place of Andrew Taylor.

Latics created an early opportunity on 14 minutes when Pennant headed Bong’s cross from the left wide of the far post.

But despite enjoying plenty of possession Latics went behind on 20 minutes. Kenwyne Jones headed the ball into the path of Aron Gunnarsson who easily avoided some half-hearted challenges by Wigan defenders before calmly slotting the ball past Ali Al-Habsi.

Wigan continued to enjoy plenty of possession but rarely threatened the Cardiff goal. It was not until defender Emmerson Boyce broke forward, making his 250th appearance for the club, that Latics created an opportunity, but Marc-Antoine Fortune was unable to get onto Boyce’s through ball.

Latics should have been level seven minutes from half time when Bong flicked on Fortune’s cross in the direction of James McClean, who finished comfortably into the bottom corner. The linesman ruled that McClean was offside, but subsequent replays indicated otherwise.

Wigan continued their dominance of possession after half time but struggled to create clear chances. Marc-Antoine Fortune did have an opportunity in the 54th minute but he fired over the crossbar from a tight angle.

With fifteen minutes remaining on loan defender Harry Maguire almost got onto the score sheet when his low drive from the edge of the area was tipped around the post by Cardiff keeper Marshall.

Soon afterwards Latics looked to have got the vital equaliser when Boyce crossed for substitute Martyn Waghorn to finish with aplomb, but the linesman once again controversially flagged for offside.

Cardiff might have doubled their lead with two minutes of normal time remaining when Sean Morrison headed narrowly over the crossbar from a Peter Whittingham cross.

Latics were unable to muster a grandstand finish and the three points went relatively tamely to Cardiff.

Wigan had been unlucky with the two offside decisions but overall they lacked any great conviction and had fewer shots than the visitors.

The desperately poor run of form continues and manager Mackay and his assistant David Kerslake look lost for ideas and unable to have any positive impact on results.

Despite overseeing a massive turnover in playing staff results have not improved under Mackay. Wigan have only won 2 of his 16 League games in charge and they are now 9 points from safety with 13 games remaining.

Posted in Aron Gunnarsson, Cardiff City, Championship, David Kerslake, Malky Mackay, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics nightmare continues – Wigan Athletic 0 Charlton Athletic 3

Posted on February 21, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Leon Clarke

On loan striker Leon Clarke was carried off wearing a neck brace

Wigan’s nightmare season took another turn for the worse with an emphatic 3-0 home defeat to Charlton.

A clinical finish by Frederic Bulot and a header by Igor Ventekele gave the Addicks a 2-0 half-time lead before substitute Chris Eagles added a third late on.

The result which dumps Latics deeper into relegation trouble was compounded by a serious head injury to striker Leon Clarke and a hamstring injury for midfielder William Kvist.

Malky Mackay made one change to the team which won at Reading on Tuesday night, with the injured Chris Herd replaced by Kim Bo-Kyung in central midfield.

Latics started brightly and dominated proceedings in the opening fifteen minutes, creating a series of chances.

In the sixth minute Marc-Antoine Fortune broke away from several challenges before forcing a low save from Addicks keeper Stephen Henderson.

Henderson was then forced to tip over Leon Clarke’s header from the resulting corner.

Soon afterwards Fortune was desperately unlucky not to put Latics ahead, when he headed narrowly wide from Sheyi Ojo’s cross to the back post.

Latics were well on top, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would take the lead. But the game turned in the Addicks favour in the 18th minute when William Kvist was injured in a fifty fifty challenge and the ball broke to Frederic Bulot on the left hand side of the penalty area and he smashed the ball past Ali Al-Habsi.

Wigan were in shock that they had conceded after dominating and matters got worse about 15 minutes later when on loan striker Leon Clarke went down with a neck injury and had to be carried from the field wearing a neck brace.

The Latics players heads went down as both Kvist and Clarke had both been forced to leave the field through injury.

Charlton went further ahead in first half stoppage time when Igor Vetokele was allowed far too much room in the centre of the penalty box and he headed comfortably past Al-Habsi to double the lead.

Given the scoreline and the injuries Latics had a mountain to climb in the second half.

Initially they tried to fight back with Sheyi Ojo looking lively but Charlton should’ve been further ahead in the 52nd minute, when Vetokele raced clear of the defence and had the goal at his mercy, only to narrowly miss the target.

Tony Watt had a similar opportunity five minutes later, but he too put his effort wide of Al-Habsi’s goal.

Harry Maguire’s header forced a save from Henderson and James McClean almost pulled a goal back when he cut in from the right and beat two defenders, before firing over the crossbar.

But with two minutes of normal time remaining Charlton added a third when substitute Chris Eagles completed a neat move to score from close range.

It was another desperately disappointing home defeat that leaves Latics second bottom in the table, six points away from safety and having played a game more than their rivals.

Wigan have not won at the DW Stadium since August and unless they can start to put together a sequence of home wins any hopes of avoiding relegation are unrealistic.

The opportunity to build momentum after the away victory at Reading had been lost and the increasing number of injuries to key players has now made the prospect of a great escape look even more unlikely.

Posted in Championship, Charlton Athletic, Chris Eagles, Frederic Bulot, Igor Vetokele, Leon Clarke, Malky Mackay, Wigan Athletic, William Kvist | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

12th Man: Reading between lines we are back!

Posted on February 20, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Harry Maguire

On loan defender Harry Maguire made a promising debut

Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at Reading has given everyone renewed hope that Latics can escape the drop to League One. It was a spirited and hard-working performance which closes the gap between themselves and their rivals.

Wigan are now only six points behind fourth bottom Brighton with fifteen games remaining.

The win at the Madejski Stadium was perhaps surprising after the recent debacle at Nottingham Forest when Latics were thoroughly outclassed by a fairly average team.

Pressure had been mounting on manager Malky Mackay and he was certainly a relieved man after his team secured their first three points of 2015. However, questions will remain about whether he is the right man to lead the club going forward.

Reading put in a poor performance after their FA Cup exertions defeating Derby County at the weekend and if Latics had encountered them on another day the result might have been different.

The large turnover in playing staff under Mackay is a big risk at this stage in the season and with some players such as Harry Maguire coming in on short term loan deals there is bound to be a lack continuity.

Emyr Huws had started to create a partnership with William Kvist in midfield but an ankle injury has ruled him out for the rest of the season. New loan signing Chris Herd has had to be withdrawn through injury in each of his three games and was stretchered off at Reading, so is now likely to miss the rest of the season.

Latics line up continues to be unsettled and it is clear that Mackay doesn’t yet know is best starting eleven.

At Reading Marc-Antoine Fortune started upfront with Leon Clarke and Sheyi Ojo coming into midfield with another new signing Kim Bo-Kyung dropped to the bench. New striker Billy Mckay was once again only allowed a cameo role at the end of the game.

Looking more positively the debuts of Jason Pearce and Harry Maguire as the new centre half pairing offers much promise. Between the sticks Ali Al-Habsi has been in good form since returning to the team and his performances have added much needed stability to an ever changing back four in front of him.

There is no doubt that it was a battling performance at Reading, but Latics will also need to show more quality on the pitch if they are to pull away from the relegation zone.

They have only won two games in 17 fixtures and have not won at the DW Stadium since August. It is too early to tell if they have turned the corner.

If they are to escape the drop they must put together a winning sequence of results starting at home to Charlton on Friday night.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 20th February 2015.

Posted in Championship, Chris Herd, Harry Maguire, Jason Pearce, Malky Mackay, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment