Wigan Athletic have been drawn away at Bolton in the FA Cup third round.
They will travel to the Macron Stadium in Horwich for a local derby against Wanderers for the third round tie to be played between 3-6 January 2015.
Full details of the date, time and ticket prices for the third round tie will be made available on the Official website in due course.
Latics will be hoping to emulate their recent excellent record in the FA Cup having won the trophy in 2013 by defeating Manchester City and then reaching the semi-final last season.
Wigan Athletic manager Malky Mackay saw his charges slump to a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Norwich City on Saturday. The Latics manager has been embroiled in off the field controversies since his arrival at the club, but it is on the pitch where he needs to start making his managerial skills count.
Wigan were one of the pre-season promotion favourites for promotion but have now won only one game in the last 14 under Uwe Rosler and Mackay and are facing a major battle to retain their Championship status.
The signs are not looking good as Latics produced a tepid performance and quite unlike the previous two games under Mackay.
Jonny Howson’s early goal gave the Canaries only their second win in eleven Championship games and relieved the pressure on under fire manager Neil Adams.
Latics started like strangers with Norwich quick out of the blocks and soon the away team were ahead.
With only five minutes on the clock Howson was allowed far too much time and space inside the box to fire a shot past a helpless Scott Carson.
Almost immediately the Canaries could have doubled their lead but an unchallenged Cameron Jerome shot tamely at Carson.
Latics continued to struggle against quicker and sharper opposition and their first attempt on goal only came on the half hour mark. The hard-working Marc-Antoine Fortune controlled a long ball on the turn and produced a low shot which was comfortably saved by John Ruddy.
Callum McManaman then produced Latics best effort on goal when he cut inside and fired a drive narrowly wide of Ruddy’s right hand post.
Despite these two attempts the home team had been second best in the first half and were lucky to go into the interval only one goal down.
Wigan did improve in the second period and managed to push Norwich back onto their own 18 yard line, but they failed to create many clear-cut chances.
James Perch headed James McClean’s free-kick towards goal but Ruddy saved low down, and with eight minutes remaining Fortune’s cross could not be turned home by McClean or McManaman after Ruddy had spilled the ball.
Latics failed to create little else before the final whistle and Norwich returned to Norfolk grateful for all three points.
Few of Latics players emerged with much credit from the game. The normally reliable Ben Watson and Chris McCann were ineffective and Shaun Maloney struggled with a virus and was substituted after being sick at half time.
Latics were once again toothless in attack and Mackay needs to address the striker conundrum immediately or they will continue to struggle.
After such a poor display it is clear that the manager has a significant task ahead. He quickly needs to get a positive reaction from his players starting at Watford next Saturday.
In his post match interview the Wigan manager vowed to turn the situation around:
“There’s nothing else for it but to work hard; I’ve been here three weeks, I’ve got a good, honest group of players and I know that but we’ve got to make sure we turn that into wins.
“That’s why I’m here, that’s what I do and I’ll work from morning to night to make sure that we turn this around for Wigan Athletic”.
Striker Andy Delort may start against Norwich City
Latics will feel very frustrated not to have got at least a point from last Saturday’s fixture at Sheffield Wednesday. Despite dominating possession they failed to capitalise on their chances and a couple of defensive lapses were their downfall. Such is life in a very competitive Championship where only 13 points separate the bottom three from the top six.
Many of the teams in the Championship have realistic expectations of challenging for promotion including some of the historic powerhouses of English football. It is a division with relatively small differences between the top and the bottom teams. Latics for example, went to Derby County in a poor run of form but overcame the league leaders.
This weekend’s opponents Norwich City have demonstrated how difficult a division it is for everyone. The Canaries have only won once in 10 matches after the recent 2-1 defeat by Reading.
Like Wigan, they were hoping to make an immediate promotion back to the Premier League. They made a strong start to this campaign, but after sitting top of the Championship at the beginning of October, they have fallen to 11th and taken just seven points from the last 30 available.
Norwich manager Neil Adams’ job is reportedly under threat following the poor run of results, and just like Wigan they will be desperate for a good result on Saturday.
The margins between success and failure in this division can be very fine indeed. Latics have played well in their recent home games but they have drawn the last five. If only they could have turned the draws into wins they would now be sitting around mid table. The task ahead for Malky Mackay is to turn home games into home wins starting with the match against Norwich.
One of the key problems facing Malky is the lack of a striker or strikers to finish off the numerous chances created this season. Marc-Antoine Fortune has been a willing worker in recent games but his strike rate continues to be poor with only seven goals in 63 appearances for the club.
So the manager may decide to go with a new strike partnership. Summer signings Oriol Riera and Andy Delort played together for the Development Squad in the two recent victories over Morecambe and Walsall, and may get the nod on Saturday.
The new manager has only been in charge for two games and is still assessing his playing staff but he needs to get results quickly and instil a winning mentality. In time he will be able to make the necessary changes to his squad and select his preferred line up but at the moment results are paramount.
Malky is a manager who has achieved success in the Championship by getting Cardiff City promoted, and he is capable of doing so again. It has been a difficult period for the club, both on and off the pitch, but with 27 games to play there is still plenty of time for Wigan’s season to turn around.
This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 5th December 2014.
Wigan Athletic’s defensive frailties were evident as they lost 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday in a game in which they should have secured at least a point. Latics took a 26th minute lead through a Chris McCann header but the Owls equalised almost immediately through Stevie May and with Wigan pushing forward a mistake by Emmerson Boyce allowed May to grab a second.
Manager Malky Mackay made two changes to the starting line up from the draw against Middlesbrough with Shaun Maloney unavailable due to illness replaced by Ben Watson and James McClean preferred to Roger Espinoza on the left of midfield.
Latics started positively with Adam Forshaw driving into the Wednesday box and appearing to be brought down by Glenn Loovens, but referee Chris Kavanagh dismissed the Latics players’ appeals.
Wednesday then went close at the other end when Atdhe Nuhiu’s header flew over, then May headed straight at Scott Carson.
Latics came back when Callum McManaman had a shot well saved by Keiren Westwood at his near post.
Following more Latics pressure, Wednesday broke away and Jose Semedo’s powerful drive beat Carson, rebounded off the post and fell straight to Chris Maguire whose shot was parried away by Carson.
In the 26th minute Latics took the lead following McClean’s right-wing corner when McCann powered home a header at the near post. A little composure at this time could have been crucial but Latics switched off and Wednesday equalised almost immediately from the restart. Wigan’s static defence allowed May plenty of space and the Scottish international finished comfortably past Carson.
Latics went forward and tried to respond quickly, but Wednesday broke away and Carson pulled off a brilliant save from the former Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe.
McManaman unleashed a drive which forced Westwood to parry and McClean nearly capitalised on the loose ball, but the Wednesday keeper recovered just in time.
McManaman then freed McClean on the left, and his deep cross found Fortune at the far post, but Westwood pulled off another good save.
It was end-to-end stuff as the half drew to a close but neither team had gained the upper hand by the interval.
Mackay reshuffled the defensive line up at the interval with Ivan Ramis replaced, James Perch slotting in at right back and skipper Emmerson Boyce moving into a central role.
Latics could have gone ahead in the 53rd minute when Watson’s corner to the far post found Fortune who headed back for McClean but his header was cleared off the line by Lewis McGugan.
Soon afterwards Wigan repeated the move and Boyce this time headed back a second Watson corner and McCann volleyed over from the edge of the six yard box.
Latics were pressing forward and looking to force the winner but the game turned in 70th minute in Wednesday’s favour following a defensive mistake.
Boyce tried a crossfield pass but the ball was intercepted by Jeremy Helan, he then set up Maguire who crossed for May and his looping header beat Carson, striking the inside of the post and trickling along over the goal line despite the efforts of Andrew Taylor.
Latics might have drawn level with two great chances within minutes. First Forshaw nearly got on the end of McManaman’s cross, before McManaman’s drive inside the area went just wide of Westwood’s post.
May might have completed his hat-trick for Wednesday but Carson was able to save when he broke clear.
Latics dominated the closing stages creating a series of chances but could not capitalise on their pressure. The best opportunity came in the 86th minute when McCann burst into the box and fired across goal but no Wigan player was in a position to make it count.
Wigan can feel very frustrated not to have got something from the game. It had been an end-to-end encounter with both teams creating numerous chances. Latics had dominated possession but failed to capitalise and a couple of defensive lapses had been their downfall. There are fine margins between success and failure in the Championship and it will be up to the new manager Malky Mackay to eradicate the mistakes and ensure that points are not lost unnecessarily in the future.
Malky Mackay’s appointment and Dave Whelan’s subsequent controversial comments have resulted in an unprecedented amount of negative media coverage for the club, but on the pitch there are grounds for optimism.
The media storm created must have been a massive distraction for the players going into last Saturday’s game against Middlesbrough but they responded in a very positive manner. Although third from bottom in the table they outplayed the third top team in the Championship and with a little luck could have taken all three points.
Mackay made an immediate impact with his team selection and formation. He was fortunate to have captain Emmerson Boyce, Ivan Ramis, Chris McCann and Andrew Taylor all returning from injury, but the players all looked energized and determined to impress the new man.
Right from the kick off it was evident that he had given them a boost. McCann looked like he’d never been away despite an eight-month absence. The 27-year-old Irishman was winning tackles, passing crisply and driving forward with the ball at every opportunity.
Maloney was also back to his best for Latics after a series of top quality performances for Scotland. The little Scot was involved in most of Latics best play going forward and after a sighting shot he produced the perfect free-kick into the top left hand corner of the Boro net.
Taylor returned at left back and probably had his best game in Latics colours. Solid defensively, he also linked up well with the midfield and attack and the former Cardiff City player looked happy to back under the stewardship of Mackay.
Boyce and Ramis added much-needed stability to a backline that had looked all at sea in the defeat at Bolton. Boyce inevitably tired in the final minutes after two months on the injured list, but the importance of the return of the team captain should not be underestimated.
Another big bonus was the very welcome return as a substitute of FA Cup hero Ben Watson from a nine-month absence and from what had been a second leg break in the space of only 15 months. A fully fit Watson will give everyone at the club the belief that Latics luck is starting to change and a rise up the table is now in the offing.
Mackay galvanised the players into an effective unit for last Saturday’s game and a good result away at Sheffield Wednesday this Saturday will provide an indication as to whether that good reaction is ongoing or just temporary.
This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 28th November 2014.
Latics have put together the classic combination of Northern Soul music and Championship football for their next home fixture versus Norwich City on Saturday 6th December.
The club have developed a Latics Tracks feature this season to highlight the Northern Soul history of Wigan and this special Northern Soul supporters event will take place prior to the Norwich City fixture.
The Players Car Park in the South East corner of the DW Stadium will play host to a fantastic event including a stage for supporters to relive the moves from back in the day, local soul DJ Dickie Ashcroft spinning the decks, an outdoor bar with lager, cider, bitter and soft drinks and the chance to buy superb home-made Lancashire Hotpot.
The event is completely free of charge, but with a limit of 500 attendees at any one time so we advise an early arrival. Gates open from midday and the event will close at kick off at 3.00pm.
Match tickets for the game are on sale from £20 for Adults and £5 for Under 16s.
You can buy your match tickets now by telephone, at the ticket office or on wiganathletic.com/tickets.
Don’t miss out on this great footy and music combo.
It was a difficult day for everybody at Wigan Athletic as the new manager Malky Mackay took his first game in charge against Middlesbrough. The furore about his appointment and Dave Whelan’s subsequent controversial comments meant that there was a huge amount of media attention focused on the club prior to kick off.
Mackay and Whelan were well received by the Latics faithful and the club Chairman was tearful when he received a rousing round of applause from the supporters before the game.
Wigan produced a much improved performance under Mackay. Shaun Maloney’s superb free-kick put Wigan in control after 24 minutes, but Middlesbrough substitute Patrick Bamford drew them level on 58 minutes. Both teams had chances to win it, but the game ended in stalemate.
Mackay made four changes from the team that lost at Bolton, with Ivan Ramis, Andrew Taylor, Chris McCann and Emmerson Boyce coming in for Perch, Kiernan, Figueroa and Huws.
Chris McCann was making his first start in eight months after returning from a long-term injury sustained in March, and the Irish midfielder made a significant impact in the early stages. His attacking runs with the ball resulted in a series of free-kicks on the edge of the Boro box.
Maloney’s first free-kick beat Boro keeper Dimitrios Konstantpoulos but skimmed the top of the crossbar and away to safety.
Wigan continued to press forward, with first Marc-Antoine Fortune and then Emmerson Boyce firing wide of the Boro goal.
They went ahead on 24 minutes following a superb 25 yard free-kick by Maloney. The Scottish international found himself in a similar position to his first free-kick, and the midfielder curled the ball over the wall and into the top left hand corner past a helpless Konstantpoulos.
Latics were now on top and looking likely to add to their lead, although Kike’s effort at the end of the first-half nearly drew Boro level.
Wigan might have doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, when Maloney’s cross from a free-kick was punched away by the keeper to Adam Forshaw on the edge of the area, but he volleyed just inches wide of the left hand post.
Latics had further chances at the beginning of the second period, with first Leon Barnett and then Fortune miss-kicking their efforts in front of goal.
Realising his team were lacking a cutting edge, Boro boss Aitor Karanka replaced Adam Reach with Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford. The substitution had an immediate impact when the striker had a neat interchange with Kike on the edge of the box, and then evaded the attention of Ivan Ramis, before side footing home from close range to draw Boro level.
As both teams pressed for the winner Chris McCann’s effort cleared the crossbar for Wigan, before Bamford had a chance for Boro following George Friend’s dangerous cross.
Middlesbrough had a couple of unconvincing appeals for penalties as the game moved towards the final whistle, but the best chance of the final quarter of the game fell to Leon Barnett. Following Maloney’s corner, the big defender was left unmarked but disappointingly volleyed the ball against the post from close range.
Given all the off the field dramas this week, the Latics players should be pleased with their work. Boro are one of the best teams to come to the DW Stadium so far this season. On this display Aitor Karanka’s team are well organised, have quality in-depth and are likely to be in the promotion shake up at the end of the season.
The draw left Wigan still in the bottom three of the table but they can take great heart from the performance. It was evident that new manager Mackay had already galvanised the players into a more combative unit. The welcome return of Chris McCann along with a return to form of Shaun Maloney make the prospect of a rise up the table much more likely.
Like many Latics fans I have mixed feelings about the appointment of Malky Mackay.
Dave Whelan’s decision to appoint Mackay is a controversial and risky appointment that could well backfire on him.
Mackay has been at the centre of a furore since his racist, homophobic and sexist text messages when manager of Cardiff City were exposed. These offensive texts are abhorrent and reprehensible and should not be condoned in any way. The culture of racist, sexist, and homophobic behaviour in football needs to be eradicated but unfortunately it is proving to be a slow process.
His controversial appointment has divided opinion amongst Latics fans. Some have said that they will no longer support the club while Mackay is in charge and I can fully sympathise with that point of view. It is right that Mackay should face some punishment by the FA for his offensive behaviour. It is likely that this could involve a fine, attendance on a training programme, or a short-term ban.
In an interview with the BBC Mackay said that he understands that he has to explain himself. He admits that the texts were unacceptable and inappropriate and apologised for the offence caused. He understands that it should not have happened but states that he is not racist, sexist, homophobic or an anti-Semite.
He has subsequently gone on to say, “I am very respectful of the FA investigation…” and acknowledges the need for transparency going forward. “I have apologised for my mistakes.”
With regard to the FA investigation he said: “When it comes to the time to talk then we do that. I’m a big man and take what comes from that.”
He admitted that he has taken on an educational programme about diversity and that this will be ongoing.
Mackay added, “I would ask people to judge me as they see me. I have made a mistake. I hope going forward the people of Wigan see me as I am.”
This apology may not be enough for some Wigan fans, but I believe he should be
allowed to get another job in football. Mackay lost out on the opportunity to manage in the Premier League at Crystal Palace when his texts were exposed. But should he be prevented from working again? I think not, having apologised and admitted his mistake he deserves another chance.
High profile players such as John Terry, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand and Luis Suarez have all been allowed to return to football after racist or offensive remarks following their punishment. So it would seem unfair to deny Mackay the opportunity to work again.
I believe that everyone makes mistakes in life and that everyone deserves a second chance. We have to hope that Whelan has made the right decision; that Mackay has learned from his mistakes and that he repays the faith entrusted in him by the club.
This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 21st November 2014.
New Wigan Athletic manager Malky Mackay. Photo by Jon Candy
Former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has been appointed as the new manager of Wigan Athletic today.
The former Cardiff City and Watford manager was described by Chairman Dave Whelan as:
‘overwhelmingly the outstanding candidate’ for the position, following the departure last week of Uwe Rosler.”
The appointment will divide opinion amongst Latics fans. Mackay was sacked by Cardiff last year and in August it was reported he sent texts of a racist, sexist and homophobic nature while at the club. Wigan MP Lisa Nandy had written an open letter urging Dave Whelan not to interview Mackay with an FA investigation still pending about Mackay.
However, despite the FA investigation and opposition from some fans to the appointment the Chairman has made the decision to employ Mackay saying:
“He is a committed family man with decent values and is a professional who has worked and thrived for over 20 years in the multi-cultural world of modern football. There is nothing more to say about this subject, and as far as I am concerned we draw a line under it from today.“
Mackay denies being “racist, sexist, homophobe or anti-Semite”, he has apologized for the offence caused, understands it should not have happened and that it was unacceptable.
Whelan clearly feels the Scot deserves a second chance, however some supporters will not share his view.
The appointment is controversial and will certainly stir emotions amongst Latics supporters, with some believing that the appointment will have a negative effect on the good name of the club.
Wigan Athletic forward Shaun Maloney scored a classic goal for Scotland in their 1-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland on Friday night. You can relive the goal from every angle here:
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