Promise in defeat? Wigan Athletic 1 AFC Bournemouth 3

Posted on February 8, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Leon Clarke

New loan striker Leon Clarke on target for Latics

Wigan’s season continued its downward trajectory with a 3-1 home defeat to Championship leaders AFC Bournemouth.

A new look Latics line-up including Leon Clarke, Chris Herd and Kim Bo-kyung started brightly but Bournemouth gained the upper hand with what appeared to be a offside goal from Callum Wilson.

The Cherries were two ahead just before half time when Chris McCann was dispossessed on the edge of his own area and Jann Kermorgant finished clinically from 18 yards.

The points were sealed on 57 minutes when Wilson added a second, although Latics did manage a consolation goal through debutant Clarke.

Latics were struck a huge blow before kick off with the news that midfielder Emyr Huws had turned an ankle in training and would be out for the rest of the season.

Malky Mackay made four changes to the starting line up following the draw at Ipswich last week with Chris Herd, Leon Clarke, Kim Bo-Kyung and Chris McCann coming into replace James Perch, Emyr Huws, Martyn Waghorn and Marc-Antoine Fortune.

Latics started confidently and William Kvist tested Artur Boruc in the Cherries goal from the edge of the area within the first two minutes.

Clarke then fired low cross across the area but Leon Barnett was unable to capitalise.

Soon afterwards James McClean nearly got on the score sheet when his curled free kick from the right hand side evaded Boruc but crashed against the crossbar and away to safety.

Bournemouth rallied and Ali Al-Habsi produced a great save low down to deny Kermorgant.

It was now end to end stuff with both teams creating good opportunities.

Leon Clarke might have given Wigan the lead when he sprang the Bournemouth back line but he disappointingly fired wide of the target.

New signing Kim Bo-Kyung nearly broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. The South Korean international played the ball out wide to Taylor whose cross was returned to Kim and his acrobatic overhead kick just cleared Boruc’s crossbar.

But the game turned in Bournemouth’s favour on 37 minutes.  A long ball was flicked on by a Bournemouth player and Wilson, who appeared to be in a offside position, was allowed to run in on goal and slot past Al-Habsi to give the Cherries the lead.

The situation got worse for Latics ten minutes later when Chris McCann tried a dragback on the edge of his own area and Kermorgant capitalised finishing expertly from 18 yards.

Leon Barnett was lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to man handle Wilson in the penalty area but referee Mark Haywood waved away the Bournemouth players appeals.

Latics went into the interval unlucky to be 2-0 down but knowing that it would be a tall order to pull back the deficit against the League leaders.

Bournemouth were full of confidence and now controlling possession and they might have increased their lead on 56 minutes. Wilson was proving to be a thorn in the side of the Wigan defence and when he flicked the ball over Ridgewell he looked odds on to score but he volleyed high and wide of the target.

Wilson repeated his flick over Ridgewell a minute later and the Cherries were three up as he outpaced Barnett and rounded Al Habsi to side foot home.

Latics were now in disarray and Mackay brought on new Liverpool loan signing Sheyi Ojo in a desperate attempt to get something back. Ojo looked sharp and immediately set about running at the Cherries defence.

Wigan managed to pull a goal back in the 61st minute when McClean broke down the left hand side before delivering an excellent deep cross for Clarke to finish from close range.

For a time it looked as if Wigan might retrieve something from the game after all.

Ojo’s speed and quickness of thought was now causing Bournemouth problems and when his superb curled pass set up Don Cowie down the right hand side, the Scottish midfielder’s cross found substitute Billy Mckay at the near post but Boruc managed to save low down to his left.

The home crowd noticeably got behind the team and they started to believe a comeback might be in the offing.

Liam Ridgewell had an opportunity following a corner, but his header from around the penalty spot was tipped over by Boruc.

Latics had a shout for a penalty when Mckay looked to be taken out by a Bournemouth defender but the Latics players appeals came to nothing.

Wigan continued to press and Barnett might have reduced the deficit and set up an exciting finale with sixteen minutes remaining, but the defender headed just wide of the post from Cowie’s cross.

Bournemouth held on and maintained their position at the top of the table. Latics remain deep in trouble and seven points from safety.

Bournemouth had certainly been the slicker outfit and had dominated possession but Latics had created enough chances to have gained at least a point.

The large turnover in players during the last few weeks is a big gamble for Latics but there were some promising performances from the new signings giving hope that all is not yet lost.

Posted in Bournemouth, Callum Wilson, Championship, Jann Kermorgant, Leon Clarke, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man: Revolving door is not slowing down

Posted on February 6, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Gaetang Bong2

Can Bong rescue Latics?

The revolving doors at the DW Stadium kept turning this week as the club experienced an unprecedented turnover in playing staff. Latics have gone through a huge transformation in the last few weeks with ten players leaving and seven joining the club.

This week Andy Delort and Fraser Fyvie were added to Roger Espinoza, Oriol Riera, James Tavernier, Ben Watson, Shaun Maloney, Adam Forshaw, Callum McManaman, and Ivan Ramis who had all left the club in the space of the last few weeks.

CEO Jonathan Jackson has explained that Latics have to reduce costs with the prospect of relegation looming and manager Malky Mackay believes that some of the players were just not up for the fight.

It was inevitable that Wigan had to reduce the wage bill to remain sustainable but the worry is that on paper the new arrivals do not have the same quality as those leaving. The new signings are a mixture of players who have been surplus to requirements at other clubs and in the case of Billy Mckay and Sheyi Ojo are untested at Championship level.

The major concern is do we have the quality to survive in the Championship?

Defender Liam Ridgewell has improved following a very rocky start against Birmingham City, but he will be returning to Portland Timbers in only three weeks time.

Australian utility player Chris Herd has as yet to make his debut for Latics but he has not played competitively for Aston Villa this season and his loan spell at Bolton was blighted by injury.

Jason Pearce lost his place in our relegation rivals Leeds United’s team this season and although he has been described as a wholehearted defender he is reported to be vulnerable to the Championship’s quicker forwards.

Cameroon international defender Gaeten Bong has impressed while on trial at Latics following his release by Olympiacos. However, he is untried in English football and the worry is that if he is such a good player why wasn’t he snapped up by a club at a higher level?

Much travelled striker Leon Clarke has only scored two goals for Wolves this season in 19 appearances and it is maybe asking a lot for him to resolve all our goal scoring problems.

17 year-old Sheyi Ojo is an exciting prospect and has joined on-loan from Liverpool. But it remains to be seen whether he will be able to cope with the physical demands of a relegation battle.

Striker Billy McKay may prove to be a bargain. The Northern Ireland international has been in prolific form for Inverness Caledonian Thistle scoring ten goals and five in his last five games. He could be the goal scorer Latics have been crying out for, but can he make the transition from Scottish football to the Championship?

Wigan already have quality in the squad with Ali Al-Habsi now returned in goal, James Perch in defence, the emerging partnership of Emyr Huws and William Kvist in midfield and the impressive James McClean upfront.

But some the new players will need to make an instant impact if we are to survive in the Championship. The high turnover of playing staff is a big gamble at this stage in the season.

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

Posted in Andy Delort, Billy McKay, Championship, Chris Herd, Fraser Fyvie, Gaetan Bong, Jason Pearce, Leon Clarke, Liam Ridgewell, Malky Mackay, Sheyi Ojo, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics transfer deadline day round up

Posted on February 2, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Sheyi Ojo

New loan signing Sheyi Ojo

Wigan Athletic’s transfer deadline day activity resulted in three new additions and two departures.

Liverpool and England Under 18 winger Sheyi Ojo joined on-loan until the end of the season, Cameroon international full back Gaëtan Bong signed a short-term contract and Wolves striker Leon Clarke signed a loan deal.

Striker Andy Delort returned to his previous club FC Tours for the remainder of the season and Scottish midfielder Fraser Fyvie joined Hibernian after his contract was terminated at Latics.

Ojo, Bong and Clarke become Wigan’s fifth, sixth and seventh signings since the start of the year following the arrivals of Liam Ridgewell, Chris Herd, Billy McKay and Jason Pearce.

Wigan manager Malky Mackay said he was delighted with the capture of the England U18 international. He commented:

“I spoke to Brendan Rodgers at length about Sheyi, and we both agreed that this is the next stage of his development,

Brendan sees him as a Liverpool player of the future and will take him into his squad in the summer. We both hope that his time at Wigan Athletic can be a productive one for both parties.

I have watched him and was excited by what I saw in terms of his pace, touch and awareness. Now it’s a question of integrating him with our squad and managing his progress carefully.”

Gaetan Bong

Gaëtan Bong playing for Cameroon

Left back Gaëtan Bong has signed a short-term contract until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old is a free agent after leaving Greek side Olympiakos and has impressed after a trial period.

Latics manager Malky Mackay welcomed Bong to the club, saying:

“I’m delighted Gaëtan has agreed to join us. He impressed me a lot during the week. He is a terrific athlete, his professionalism stood out immediately and I believe he will be a very good addition to the squad.”

After seven signings in short succession, plus the loan window opening in a week’s time, he added:

“I have said all along we need to reshape the squad. The first part of that process was to allow players to leave and make way for new players to come in and take their place and that process is now taking place.

Every transfer in and out over the last month has been done with the benefit of Wigan Athletic football club in mind and myself, along with Jonathan Jackson and David Sharpe, are working day and night to make this squad as strong as it can be for the future.”

Bong began his professional career at Metz in the French league, and after a spell on loan at Tours, joined Valenciennes for whom he played over 100 times before moving to Olympiakos. He appeared in the 2010 World Cup for Cameroon, but missed out on the 2014 squad having played in the qualifying stages.

Bong can play in a number of defensive positions but he is likely to provide stiff competition for current left back Andrew Taylor.

Leon Clarke

New loan striker Leon Clarke

Latics last signing of deadline day was the 29-year-old striker Leon Clarke who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.

Clarke started his career at Wolves in 2003 and has scored goals throughout his career, netting 90 goals from 188 league starts.

He was prolific in 2013-14, bagging 16 league goals in 36 for Coventry City, earning himself a move back to Wolves last Summer.

Clarke has struggled to get into the first team this season at Molineux and has been forced to play most of his minutes off the bench – nevertheless, he has scored two late winners, at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Posted in Andy Delort, Championship, Fraser Fyvie, Gaetan Bong, Leon Clarke, Sheyi Ojo, Transfers, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics make a point in bore draw – Ipswich Town 0 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on February 1, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Al Al Habsi

Ali Al-Habsi returned to the team to keep a clean sheet

Wigan managed a welcome point at Portman Road in a dour goalless draw on Saturday. Chances were at a premium as both teams struggled to make an impact.

Jay Tabb had the best opportunity for the Tractor Boys in the first half, but he fired over the crossbar when put through by Tyrone Mings.

James Perch should have done better when he failed to get on the end of a Don Cowie corner and David McGoldrick might have given Town all three points but he headed straight at Ali Al Habsi from a good position.

Malky Mackay made three changes to the starting line up with Ali Al-Habsi replacing Scott Carson in-goal and Don Cowie and Marc-Antoine Fortune replacing the injured Chris McCann and the departed Callum McManaman. New signings striker Billy Mckay and defender Jason Pearce took their places on the bench.

Wigan made an early opening when James Perch crossed from the right hand side and Fortune got in a header but the ball looped over the crossbar.

Ipswich responded and from a similar type of cross Jay Tabb’s header was well wide. Tabb then had another opportunity but he failed to hit the target from about eight yards out.

As the half wore on neither side was able to gain the ascendancy as both lacked creativity and failed to string many passes together.

The second half was not much better as both teams struggled to build any momentum.

Latics did have a couple of half chances when Emyr Huws delivered a terrific cross into the box that Waghorn just failed to reach, Fortune pulled a shot wide after Huws had sent him clear, then Perch failed to connect with Cowie’s corner.

Ipswich had their own opportunities when McGoldrick headed straight at Al Habsi from 12 yards out and substitute Freddie Sears brought a better save from Al Habsi after McGoldrick had pulled the ball back from the by line.

Both teams huffed and puffed until the final whistle but in reality neither team deserved to take the three points.

Latics have had a very difficult week with so many top players leaving the club so Malky Mackay will be very pleased to secure a point away from home against promotion chasing Ipswich.

Wigan certainly showed some fight and determination yesterday,  but the question is: Do they now have the quality to survive in the Championship?

The club is going through a huge transformation with stars Roger Espinoza, Oriol Riera, James Tavernier, Ben Watson, Shaun Maloney, Adam Forshaw, Callum McManaman and Ivan Ramis having left the club in the space of a few weeks.

New signings have been relatively few with Liam Ridgewell and Chris Herd joining on loan and Jason Pearce and Billy Mckay signing permanently.

Latics’ rebuilding process is likely to continue before Monday’s transfer deadline with a couple more incomings and more departures likely.

Posted in Billy McKay, Championship, Chris Herd, Ipswich Town, Jason Pearce, Liam Ridgewell, Malky Mackay, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

12th Man: Fire sale chaos or master plan for survival?

Posted on January 30, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Billy McKay

New Striker Billy Mckay

It’s been another dispiriting week to be a Wigan Athletic fan, yet another home defeat and the exodus of our FA Cup winning stars. Just when you think things can’t get worse, we get another kick in the teeth as relegation rivals Rotherham surprisingly defeat Bolton and set up an eight-point gap between them and us.

The mass clear out of Latics stars is reaching unprecedented proportions. Roger Espinoza, Oriol Riera, James Tavernier, Ben Watson, Shaun Maloney, Adam Forshaw, Callum McManaman and Ivan Ramis have all left the club in the last few weeks.

The extent of the exodus has been mind-boggling. It was evident that something had to be done to address the poor form but shipping most of our top players was not quite what we had in mind.

Only club captain Emmerson Boyce now survives from the starting line up that won the FA Cup in 2013.

There is a need to reduce wage bill and parachute payments will decrease next season but the scale of the departures has been shocking. Questions are inevitably being asked about Dave Whelan’s ongoing commitment.

The club has been very quiet on the situation but it is evident that massive changes are taking place during this transfer window. Latics are shedding their high paid stars and looking to bring in lower valued players and on much cheaper wages.

So far the confirmed incomings have been loan defenders Liam Ridgewell from Portland Timbers and Chris Herd from Aston Villa. Former Leeds United captain and central defender Jason Pearce looks likely to sign after both clubs agreed a fee.

Striker Billy Mckay will join for around £150,000 from SPL team Inverness Caledonian Thistle and could prove to be a bargain. The Northern Ireland international has scored ten goals this season and five in his last five games. He also has the distinction of being the highest scorer excluding penalties in the Scottish Premiership era.

Expect some more transfer activity before the end of deadline day on Monday. Latics have been linked with a number of players including Burnley striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, Basel forward Giovanni Sio, Hull City midfielder Tom Ince, Olympiacos full back Gaetan Bong and Manchester United duo Nick Powell and Jesse Lingard, but there could be more outgoings as well.

Is this the last desperate attempt to save our Championship status by changing the culture of dressing room and bringing in Malky Mackay’s type of player, or is it just preparing for League 1 with a reduced wage bill? The jury is out but the next few weeks should give us a better indication of what is really going on.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 30th January 2015.

Posted in Adam Forshaw, Ben Watson, Billy McKay, Callum McManaman, Championship, Chris Herd, James Tavernier, Jason Pearce, Malky Mackay, Oriel Riera, Roger Espinoza, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More doom and gloom – Wigan Athletic 0 Huddersfield Town 1

Posted on January 25, 2015 by ianhaspinall
William Kvist

Man of the Match William Kvist

Latics slipped nearer to League 1 with another disappointing performance at home to Huddersfield Town.

Despite having more shots and possession Wigan failed to create any clear-cut chances throughout.

But with the match heading towards a stalemate a freak goal secured all three points for the Terriers.

Conor Coady attempted a cross to the back post but the ball sailed over Scott Carson and into the top corner of the Wigan net.

Malky Mackay made two changes from the starting line up against Blackburn with Emyr Huws and Callum McManaman coming in for Ben Watson and Adam Forshaw

Latics started brightly with William Kvist, Huws and Chris McCann moving the ball around briskly.

Callum McManaman was looking lively and his dangerous cross forced Alex Smithies to punch clear in the 11th minute.

McCann then tested the Terriers keeper from 20 yards following good work by Martyn Waghorn.

Huddersfield responded and Latics had to make two goal line clearances to keep the scores level.

First a Nahki Wells header was cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell and then Waghorn headed Tommy Smith’s effort off the line following a corner.

Latics continued to dominate possession but they lacked the creativity to unlock a resolute Terriers defence.

They may already be rueing the release of their most creative midfielder Shaun Maloney to Chicago Fire before the end of his contract.

In the previous home game against Blackburn it was Maloney’s quality that had brought Wigan back into the game.

Unable to create any clear goal scoring opportunities Latics went into the interval level.

Wigan continued to have the better possession in the second half but did not carve out an opportunity until the 60th minute.

McManaman beat his marker and got to the by line before chipping a great cross to McClean in the centre of the box but the Irishman did not make the right contact and the header flew over the crossbar.

McCann was withdrawn with a hamstring strain and replaced by Don Cowie. The ineffective Waghorn was replaced by Marc-Antoine Fortune and Andy Delort was thrown into the fray to replace the tiring McManaman, but Latics still struggled to create an opening.

But it was Huddersfield who claimed the points with eight minutes of normal time remaining. A speculative cross to the far post by Coady sailed over the helpless Carson and into the top corner.

Latics huffed and puffed to grab an equaliser but the Terriers defence stood strong and moved 13 points ahead of Wigan in the Championship table.

Yet another dispiriting defeat for Wigan means the prospect of League 1 football looms even larger.

If they are to somehow escape the drop they must now use the transfer window and the Emergency Loan system to great effect. Reinforcements are desperately needed and there have been links with Leeds United defender Jason Pearce, Aston Villa defender Chris Herd and Burnley striker Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Mackay has indicated that the players brought into the club will be ‘his type of player’. Let’s hope these players have the requisite quality and desire for a fight to save our Championship status.

 

Posted in Championship, Chris Herd, Jason Pearce, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Malky Mackay, Wigan Athletic, William Kvist | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man: Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Emyr Huws Wigan Athletic

Emyr Huws returned from injury

It’s been a nightmare season so far but there is some evidence to suggest that the dark days may be coming to an end. Saturday’s improved second half performance against Blackburn Rovers has given me renewed hope that Latics can avoid the drop.

Rovers are pressing for a play-off spot but Latics could have taken all three points after the introduction of Shaun Maloney and Emyr Huws gave them a second half boost.

Maloney looks likely to sign for Chicago Fire in the MLS at the end of his contract but his contribution until then will have a major bearing on which league Latics are in next season.

He provided the free-kick for James McClean’s headed equaliser and was in the right place at the right time to clear off the line in the dying stages. His creativity and undoubted quality from dead ball situations could be a vital ingredient in Wigan’s survival campaign.

Emyr Huws made a welcome return from his injury lay off and showed why Uwe Rosler secured his services from Manchester City on a four-year contract. The 21-year-old Welsh International added much needed verve to the midfield and he should start against Huddersfield this Saturday.

Danish international William Kvist made his first full start for Malky Mackay against Rovers and he added a greater composure to the midfield. His experience is likely to be invaluable as Latics look to move away from the drop zone.

Ali Al-Habsi will be returning to the club following his Asian Cup adventures and I believe it is time he was given an opportunity in the team. His heroics in the FA Cup tie at Bolton demonstrated why he is a top keeper.

His shot-stopping abilities are exceptional, and now is the time for a change between the sticks after Scott Carson’s recent indifferent performances.

Malky Mackay has stated his determination to sign a new striker in the transfer window but ironically James McClean and Martyn Waghorn could prove the answer to Wigan’s goal scoring problems.

The duo showed signs that they could be forging a dangerous partnership upfront after only two games playing together.

It looks as though Callum McManaman might be on his way to West Bromwich Albion, but the Baggies will have to increase their offer of £4.5m if the winger is to be released by Latics.

It would be sad to see one of Wigan’s FA Cup winners leave but a fee of around £6m would be a great return for a player who has unfortunately been inconsistent and never fully realised his potential.

Reinforcements are still needed to improve the squad and the money received would go a long way towards helping the manager’s rebuilding plans in the transfer window.

The last six months have been a difficult time to be a Wigan Athletic fan but there are now signs of recovery and a feeling that the great escape can be achieved.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 23rd January 2015.

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Championship, Emyr Huws, Malky Mackay, Martyn Waghorn, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic, William Kvist | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Derby day deadlock – Wigan Athletic 1 Blackburn Rovers 1

Posted on January 18, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Shaun Maloney

Shaun Maloney helped secure Latics a point

Both teams will have reason to feel frustrated after this Lancashire derby ended 1-1 at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

Rovers went ahead when Tom Cairney set up Corry Evans and his smart finish beat Scott Carson from the edge of the area.

James McClean equalised for Latics when he headed in substitute Shaun Maloney’s whipped free-kick.

Opportunities were wasted at both ends as the match finished level and with both managers feeling that they should have secured all three points.

Malky Mackay made four changes from the side that lost at Birmingham last week, with Ben Watson, Leon Barnett, Martyn Waghorn and William Kvist coming in for Don Cowie, Ivan Ramis, Shaun Maloney and Rob Kiernan.

Latics attacked from the kick off and should have been ahead within the opening four minutes through Adam Forshaw. The midfielder found himself in the perfect position when he picked up Martyn Waghorn’s low cross but he fired straight at Jason Steele before sending the rebound over the crossbar.

Rovers responded well and took the lead on 15 minutes through Evans. Carson punched the ball out from a corner and into the path of Cairney who teed up Evans, who then expertly curled the ball into the right hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite the set back Latics continued to be competitive with James McClean was once again proving to be their most dangerous attacking player.

McClean nearly drew Wigan level five minutes before the interval from Chris McCann’s cross but he managed to miskick with the goal at his mercy.

Just before the interval McClean was booked for a lunging challenge on Markus Olsson and Rovers players surrounded referee Mike Jones arguing that it should have been a red.

Substitute Shaun Maloney replaced the disappointing Adam Forshaw at half time and Latics looked much improved going forward.

Maloney was instrumental in drawing Wigan level on 63 minutes when his excellent whipped free kick found McClean and the Irishman headed powerfully past Steele.

Latics now dominated possession and pressed for the winner. Yet it was Rovers who looked odds on to score on 70 minutes but Jordan Rhodes had his close range effort spectacularly headed off the line by Leon Barnett.

Striker Andy Delort joined the fray with 18 minutes remaining as Latics went for the winner. Rovers went closest two minutes from time with a header from a corner, but the hard-working Maloney was in the perfect position to clear off the line and secure the point for Latics.

Overall Rovers probably edged the first half and Latics the second. It was noticeable that Wigan improved following the introduction of Maloney and Emyr Huws and they must both surely start against Huddersfield.

William Kvist playing his first game under Mackay added stability to the midfield and put in a solid display and McClean who was Wigan’s outstanding player, is improving week by week.

Latics may remain in the bottom three and five points from safety but there are some signs of improvement and hope of survival still prevails.

 

Posted in Blackburn Rovers, Championship, Corry Evans, Emyr Huws, James McClean, Malky Mackay, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic, William Kvist | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

12th Man: Malky has got to find some green shoots of recovery

Posted on January 16, 2015 by ianhaspinall
Malky Mackay

Malky Mackay struggling for an answer

I’m trying to remain optimistic, but it’s proving to be a very difficult task. Wigan’s current form is abysmal and it isn’t showing any signs of abating. Just how long can Wigan’s malaise continue?

The introduction of a new manager was expected to give the club a boost, but the exact opposite seems to have happened. After a decent performance against Middlesbrough in Malky Mackay’s first game in charge results have gone downhill.

Yes we managed to get three points at Leeds United on Boxing Day, but those of us who were at Elland Road know that Wigan were very lucky that day as Leeds wasted a hatful of goal scoring opportunities during a second half onslaught.

A succession of home defeats to Norwich, Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday has dumped Wigan in the relegation zone and results are showing no signs of improvement.

The performance in the first 30 minutes at Birmingham was the worst by any Latics team in a very long time. They did rally at the end of the first and beginning of the second half but the team’s inadequacies are all too evident.

New loan signing Liam Ridgewell didn’t look match fit and made a succession of misplaced passes which put the team under pressure. Mackay’s judgement in introducing a player who didn’t appear ready for first team action must be called into question.

The transfer window provides an opportunity to improve our position and new signings should not be exacerbating Wigan’s difficulties.

Mackay is making some poor choices both in transfers and in the selection of his starting eleven. Few players apart from James McClean and James Perch emerged with much credit from St Andrews. These two are clearly putting in the effort but many of the others are not prepared to fight for the shirt.

The departure of Shaun Maloney to Leicester for around £1m has only deepened the gloom. Maloney is Wigan’s most creative player and he should not have been allowed to leave at a critical phase of the season and when the team is in desperate need of his quality.

Bringing in a transfer fee is not the priority when we are fighting to save our Championship status. The manager should have held onto him until the end of the season and then he could have been released with our best wishes.

Only three players, Boyce, McManaman and Watson, now remain from the team that won the FA Cup in May 2013.

There is little news of incomings at the time of going to press and with two weeks of the transfer deadline remaining a striker remains the top priority. Latics had been linked with Sunderland’s misfiring striker Danny Graham but even that rumour has now gone quiet.

In a recent press conference Mackay was asked whether a striker was a priority, the manager replied: “Yes, absolutely, and if you come up with one then give me a shout!” This may have been said in jest, but equally it reflects the desperate situation we are in.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on 16th January 2015.

Posted in Championship, Liam Ridgewell, Malky Mackay, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Downward trend continues – Birmingham City 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on January 11, 2015 by ianhaspinall
James McClean

James McClean’s wonder strike gave Wigan hope

Wigan slipped deeper into the relegation mire after a dispiriting 3-1 defeat to Birmingham City at St Andrews. An abysmal first 30 minutes gifted City a two goal lead through Clayton Donaldson, but it could have been so many more as Latics were shambolic.

New loan signing Liam Ridgewell had a particularly torrid time but few of Latics players emerged with much credit from the opening period.

The home team could have been at least five goals to the good before James McClean, who worked tirelessly throughout, produced a wonder goal to drag Wigan back into the game.

A much improved opening to the second half gave Wigan hope, but as they pressed for the equaliser City broke away to shatter the prospect of any comeback when Donaldson completed his hat-trick.

Mackay made four changes from the FA Cup defeat at Bolton. Scott Carson returned in-goal while new loan signing Liam Ridgewell made his debut. Shaun Maloney and Don Cowie came into the starting eleven.

Latics were behind within the first minute after sloppy play by Ridgewell. The former Birmingham defender’s misplaced pass found ex-Latics player David Cotterill. The winger’s deep cross found Donaldson at the far post, and his header evaded Carson and went in off the post.

Wigan were all at sea as wave after wave of Birmingham attacks came in. Latics players seemed incapable of passing to a teammate and no one was prepared to make a tackle to stem the tide.

Cotterill fired a free-kick from the edge of the box wide of Carson’s right hand post. Then an unmarked Donaldson blazed wide with the goal at his mercy.

But in the 14th minute City doubled their lead. Andy Shinnie turned in the box and his deflected shot rebounded along the goal line and Donaldson was on the spot to tap over the line.

It was a desperate opening and Latics looked to be heading for a major drubbing.

The hapless Adam Forshaw looked to have given away a penalty when he appeared to foul Shinnie in the box, but the referee Mick Russell waved away Birmingham’s appeals for a penalty.

Donaldson nearly connected with Paul Caddis’ cross at the far post. The former Crewe and Brentford striker had another chance soon afterwards, rounding Carson but Ridgewell managed to clear off the line.

Don Cowie was withdrawn on 30 minutes and replaced by Ben Watson as Malky Mackay tried to stem the tide.

James McClean was one of the few Latics players showing any endeavour and on 36 minutes the Irishman produced a bolt of hope.

He unleashed a wonder strike from the edge of the area which beat Darren Randolph and went in off the far post.

Latics were amazingly now back in the game despite the disastrous opening 30 minutes. The goal and the introduction of Ben Watson in midfield seemed to give them confidence and they finished the half as the better outfit.

Martyn Waghorn replaced an out-of-touch Ridgewell for the second half as Latics went to a back four.

Mackay’s half-time team talk must have had an impact on the players as Latics were dominant in the opening period of the second half.

McClean was a constant threat and linked up well with Waghorn. McClean forced Randolph into a full stretch save and then from the resulting corner Ivan Ramis headed narrowly over.

Waghorn saw a shot deflected for a corner, and again Ramis headed wide. Maloney produced an excellent 25 yarder that Randolph turned away for another corner.

It seemed only a matter of time before Latics would equalise. But it was Birmingham who broke away and shattered Wigan’s hopes. A cross to the far post found Demarai Gray and the ball fell to Donaldson who bundled the ball over the line for his hat-trick.

The goal proved to be the decider as Latics struggled to make an impact after conceding for a third time.

Mackay’s team have now lost six of their eight games in the Championship and the hoped for transformation since he took over has not materialised

The performance in the first 30 minutes was the worst by any Latics team in a very long time. They did rally at the end of the first and beginning of the second half but the team’s inadequacies are for all to see.

Mackay is making some poor choices, some players should not be in the starting eleven and too many players are not prepared to fight for the shirt.

The exception was James McClean who was Wigan’s outstanding player. He worked tirelessly throughout and produced a great strike to give the team hope. If more players showed his fighting spirit Wigan would not be in the position they are in now.

Posted in Birmingham City, Championship, Clayton Donaldson, Malky Mackay, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment