Latics sack Rosler

Posted on November 13, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Uwe Rosler

Uwe Rösler sacked by Latics

Wigan Athletic have announced the sacking of manager Uwe Rosler at around 3.45 pm today. The announcement came as something of a surprise after Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan had recently backed Rosler to turn results around. However, following further consideration and after speaking to other staff within the club, it was decided to part company with Rosler.

The former Brentford manager had transformed Wigan last season following the departure of Owen Coyle and taken the club to the play-offs and an FA Cup semi-final. However, this season Latics have been unable to recreate that form and currently sit in the bottom three in the Championship table.

Latics Chairman Dave Whelan commented:

“I have thought long and hard about this, I have thought about little else for days in fact. Initially my thoughts were that Uwe should be given more time. He is a good manager and I like him immensely as a person, he is honest, passionate and clearly works day and night to try and earn success for the team.

Following the incredible achievements of last season, I felt it was the right thing to do that he should be given more time. However, the situation we find ourselves in at the moment, and the run of results in recent months, really has been alarming. Something is clearly not working. For whatever reason, the team is not gelling, despite substantial financial backing in the summer and the dressing room being blessed with a huge amount of quality.

Therefore, I have now come to the reluctant conclusion that for the long-term good of the club, we need a change.

Uwe is a good man and a good manager and he will bounce back, I am sure of that. We thank him for his efforts with us, I could not have wished to appoint a more committed and hard-working manager and we sincerely wish him all the best in his future career.

But now the search begins immediately for a replacement.”

The club has confirmed that Assistant Manager Graham Barrow will take temporary charge of the first team against Middlesbrough next Saturday, assisted by first team coach Eric Black.

Early candidates as Rosler’s replacement as manager are the former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay, former Crystal Palace and Stoke manager Tony Pulis and former Norwich and Birmingham boss Chris Hughton.

Posted in Championship, Chris Hughton, Dave Whelan, Malky Mackay, Tony Pulis, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rosler on the brink after derby defeat – Bolton Wanderers 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on November 8, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Wigan Athletic Manager Uwe Rösler

Uwe Rösler in the firing line

The pressure on Wigan manager Uwe Rosler was mounting last night after a 3-1 defeat at local rivals Bolton Wanderers. Promotion favourites Latics have only won once in the last 11 matches and could drop into the bottom three after today’s games.

A disastrous second half display gifted Wanderers the three points and moved them out of the bottom three and above Latics in the table.

Wigan had been the better team in the first half with Callum McManaman twice hitting the woodwork, but a second half capitulation commenced when Max Clayton scored the opener after 50 minutes and Craig Davies soon added a second.

The game was effectively over on 61 minutes when Lee Chung-yong converted a penalty, although McManaman volleyed a late consolation goal on 71 minutes.

The manager once again changed his starting line-up from Tuesday night’s defeat at Brighton with Emyr Huws, Marc Antoine Fortune, Leon Barnett and McManaman returning. Out went James Tavernier, Don Cowie, Martyn Waghorn and James McClean.

Latics adopted their high pressing game and could have been have been 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes as Shaun Maloney volleyed wide from a good position and then McManaman produced a 25 yard dipping effort which skimmed the crossbar.

Bolton had an opportunity through Clayton but Scott Carson did well to deny the former Crewe Alexandra striker.

Wigan finished the half well on top and creating plenty of chances. First Espinoza was played through by Fortune but he dallied in front of goal and the opportunity went begging. McManaman then smashed a 20 yard drive against the woodwork before Espinoza fired another effort wide of the target.

Wigan’s inability to finish their chances once again proved to be their downfall, as Bolton took total control in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Lee Chung-yong fed the ball through to Clayton who slotted the ball through Carson’s legs. The Wigan players heads went down and confidence flowed through Wanderers.

A deep cross from the right found Craig Davies and despite a half-hearted challenge from Huws, the striker was able to head into the ground and past Carson. Clayton should have added a third for Bolton, after a desperate Barnett backpass, but he pulled his drive wide of the target.

Barnett was then panicked into committing an unnecessary foul on Matt Mills in the box. Lee Chung-Yong sent the spot-kick straight down the centre of Carson’s goal and effectively confirm the three points for the home team.

Latics managed a consolation goal on 79 minutes when substitute McClean produced an excellent cross which was superbly despatched by McManaman from around 12 yards out.

It was too little too late and a season that had promised so much could now end in a relegation dogfight.

Rosler looked shocked and dejected in his press conference after the defeat. He apologised to the fans and admitted his team’s performance was embarrassing.

He said:

“I make it absolutely clear that I take full responsibility but, when it comes to analysing the game, we gave up.

I apologise to the chairman and to the supporters, because it’s very seldom any team under my charge can be accused of giving up.

We gave up in the second half and I felt embarrassed.

I’m not sure it meant as much to some of my players as it meant for our supporters and our chairman.

“In any competitive game of football, you never give up, you always fight to the end.

To give up at Bolton, in a derby game? It’s unforgivable.

I can lose, I can stay through a difficult period, but what I can’t live with is players giving up.”

The players clearly have a responsibility to turn up and put in a performance and the second half display was abject, but in football the buck stops with the manager.

Rosler’s position as manager looks extremely tenuous today. Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan will be giving serious consideration to the situation over the weekend and a change could be in the offing.

Posted in Bolton Wanderers, Callum McManaman, Championship, Craig Davies, Lee Chung-yong, Max Clayton, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

12th Man: Lack of cohesion is main cause of downward trend

Posted on November 7, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Uwe Rosler

Under pressure: Uwe Rösler

Wigan travel to our local rivals Bolton Wanderers tonight in what could be a make or break fixture for manager Uwe Rosler. Latics were one of the Championship promotion favourites this season but have slipped to 19th in the table and have only won three matches all season. If they lose to Neil Lennon’s revitalised Wanderers they could slip into the bottom three and Rosler’s position would be under threat.

Some supporters have already been calling for a change in manager after the poor start to the season and the midweek 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Brighton did not help matters. Comments on social media suggest that Rosler has lost the backing of the fans and that a change may be necessary.

The former Manchester City striker has gone from hero to villain in the space of less than 12 months. Rosler took over from Owen Coyle in December 2013 and had an immediate impact on results, leading the team to a FA Cup semi-final and a play-off spot, but this season they have been unable to recreate that form and have only won three games, drawing seven and losing six.

The manager has talked about the disappointment of losing the FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal and the hangover the team has suffered ever since. To be so near to a second successive FA Cup final clearly took a lot out of the players psychologically.

Latics went into the play-offs against QPR having played 60 competitive games and the two-leg semi-final was a bridge too far for a squad that was stretched to the limit.

Following the failure to get promotion there’s been a large turnover of players with Premier League quality players such as Jordi Gomez, Jean Beausejour and James McArthur all leaving the club. Long-term injuries to midfielders Ben Watson and Chris McCann have not helped the cause.

Some of the manager’s recent signings have struggled to make an impression and the fans have questioned his decision-making. Goalscoring has been the major problem, with only 17 goals in 16 games.

Rosler has signed strikers Oriel Riera from Osasuna and Andy Delort from French Ligue 2 team Tours, but neither has been able to establish themselves in the team and have only scored one goal between them.

Rosler has accumulated a large squad of 31 players and it appears that he does not know his best line up. Injuries to Welsh international Emyr Huws and captain Emmerson Boyce have not helped matters but the constant chopping and changing in formation and starting eleven seems to have affected the players’ confidence and morale appears to be at a low ebb.

Changes to the backroom staff only seem to have exacerbated the situation with a new first team coach Eric Black coming in at the beginning of the season following John Doolan’s surprise departure to Hibernian.

I’m hoping that Uwe and Latics can turn it around tonight and produce a performance like they did at Derby County, but if not the clamour for a change will only get louder.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 7th November 2014.

Posted in Bolton Wanderers, Championship, Neil Lennon, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Early strike makes all the difference – Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on November 4, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Amex Stadium

Amex Stadium at night. Photo by Dominic Alves

A goal within the first minute by Brighton’s Gary Gardner was enough to condemn Latics to defeat at the Amex Stadium. After a sluggish start Latics went on to have more possession and create more chances than the Seagulls, but they failed to convert their dominance into goals.

Uwe Rösler’s team which were expected to be amongst the Championship pace setters drop down to 19th place, which is only one point above the relegation zone. Sami Hyypia’s Brighton secured their first win in 12 matches and move up a place to 20th in the table.

Wigan made four changes from Saturday’s draw against Fulham with James McClean, Martyn Waghorn, Shaun Maloney and James Perch coming into the team. Long term absentees Ben Watson and Chris McCann took their place on the bench for the first time this season.

Latics suffered the crucial setback within the first minute as Elliot Bennett drove forward down the right hand side and crossed, and following a scramble, the ball fell to Gary Gardner who finished low past Scott Carson.

The Seagulls might have doubled their lead on 16 minutes when Kazenga LuaLua set up Joao Texeira in the box and his shot came back off the underside of Carson’s crossbar and the ball was cleared to safety.

Latics started to get a foothold in the game and in the 25th minute Espinoza broke down the left hand side and crossed the ball for Waghorn, but the striker’s diving header went just wide of the right hand post.

Espinoza was starting to create opportunities and Waghorn was getting into good goalscoring positions. The young Brighton keeper Christian Walton saved twice from Waghorn in quick succession, before the former Leicester City striker’s third effort, following Espinoza’s chest down, flew over the crossbar.

A Tavernier free-kick from the edge of the area was then well saved by Brighton’s Man of the Match Walton. Latics threatened again when Espinoza linked up with McClean who then fed Waghorn, but the cross was cleared.

The Seagulls went into the interval still 1-0 ahead but it was surely only a matter of time before Wigan would equalise?

Latics continued to dominate in the second period. Rob Kiernan’s header flashed across the Brighton goal following Tavernier’s corner. The Seagulls responded and Kiernan made a great block to deny Teixeira.

The young Brighton keeper Walton was having an excellent game and came to the home team’s rescue with two reflex saves in quick succession, firstly from Waghorn inside the area, secondly from Adam Forshaw’s powerful drive.

Shaun Maloney then drove towards goal and his 25 yard effort narrowly missed the right hand post. Espinoza then tried to get in on the act but his shot from outside the box went well over the crossbar.

Wigan were peppering Walton’s goal but nothing was going to get past the young Brighton stopper.

McManaman replaced McClean, Riera came on for Cowie and then Chris McCann replaced Forshaw after eight months on the injury list.

Latics pushed for the equaliser and Brighton were often camped in their own 18 yard box. Riera had an opportunity with three minutes of normal time remaining but his effort went wide of the right hand post.

Wigan’s final chance came in the fourth minute of injury time when Shaun Maloney’s free-kick from 20 yards out went over the defensive wall but also over the crossbar.

Latics had deserved at least a draw after dominating proceedings for most of the game, but their inability to convert their chances had once again been their downfall.

Posted in Brighton & Hove Albion, Championship, Gary Gardner, Sami Hyypia, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Latics held in six goal thriller – Wigan Athletic 3 Fulham 3

Posted on November 2, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Roger Espinoza

Roger Espinoza on target for the Latics

A late penalty by Bryan Ruiz denied Wigan all three points in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Fulham at the DW Stadium. Fulham’s Ross McCormack was dismissed after two yellow cards and Wigan’s Leon Barnett was given a straight red after bringing down Hugo Rodallega in the penalty box.

Latics went ahead through a Adam Forshaw penalty after Callum McManaman had been fouled. The Cottagers drew level from Lasse Vigen Christensen and then went in front before the interval when McCormack’s perfect pass found Ruiz at the back post and the Costa Rican chested home.

In the second period Wigan responded to the challenge with Roger Espinoza’s superb 25 yard strike and then went in front through substitute Shaun Maloney’s close range finish, but Fulham ensured the points were shared when Ruiz converted his spot-kick.

Wigan retained the same team that won away at Derby a week ago, and immediately set about replicating the same pressing game that had been so effective last time out.

Latics were in front within nine minutes from the penalty spot when Callum McManaman was brought down in the area.

McManaman made a jinking run into the box causing panic amongst the Fulham defence, before being brought down by Konstantinos Stafylidis for a spot kick. Wigan had missed their last two penalties but Adam Forshaw took responsibility and despatched the ball down the centre of the goal past Bettinelli for his first goal for the club.

Wigan could have been two ahead when Marc-Antoine Fortune’s low cross just evaded McManaman in the area.

However, the visitors soon upped their game and started the threaten the Latics goal.

Former Latic Hugo Rodallega and Elsad Zverotic had attempts on goal before the Cottagers drew level through Lasse Vigen Christensen, who was played in by Rodallega’s through ball to side foot past Scott Carson.

Five minutes later Fulham were ahead when Ross McCormack’s perfect chip to the far post was chested over the line by Bryan Ruiz.

Fulham were now in the ascendancy and Latics were lucky to go into the half time break only one goal behind.

Wigan improved their game at the start of the second half and returned to the pressing game that had been so effective at the beginning of the first half.

McManaman created an opportunity for Don Cowie, but the Scot couldn’t quite get his header on target.

But Wigan drew level with a superb 25 yard volley from Roger Espinoza on 54 minutes. The Honduran international was having one of his best games in Latics colours and his second ever goal for the club was a just reward for his endeavours.

The game was now end to end as both teams went for the winner. McManaman went close for Latics and McCormack forced a full length save from Carson low down to his left.

McCormack committed a petulant late challenge on James Tavernier and was yellow carded and minutes later the £11m striker was involved in a bust up with substitute James McClean, which resulted in a red card.

Uwe Rosler introduced Shaun Maloney for McManaman and within a minute the little Scot had given Wigan the lead. Espinoza played an exquisite through ball and Maloney finished with aplomb from close range.

It looked as though Wigan would claim all three points but with two minutes of normal time remaining Latics conceded a penalty. Rob Kiernan misjudged a hopeful punt forward and as Rodallega moved in on goal Leon Barnett brought the Colombian down in the area for a stonewall penalty.

Barnett was red carded and despite a long delay in proceedings, the unruffled Ruiz converted the spot-kick to leave Latics frustrated.

Despite the disappointment with the final result this was another excellent performance by Latics against a very talented Fulham line-up.

With two away games coming up, the main worry for Wigan now will be the suspension of Leon Barnett to add to the current crop of injuries to defenders.

Posted in Bryan Ruiz, Championship, Fulham, Hugo Rodallega, Lasse Vigen Christensen, Ross McCormack, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

McClean brace lifts Latics’ spirits – Derby County 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on October 26, 2014 by ianhaspinall
James McClean

Supersub James McClean. Pic by Michael Kranewitter

Wigan Athletic produced their best performance of the season as they upset the odds and defeated Championship leaders Derby County on their own patch. Going into the game the Rams had not been beaten in 12 matches and Latics had not won in eight games but two goals by substitute James McClean ensured Wigan got their just rewards for an energetic team effort.

Wigan should have gone ahead when they were awarded a penalty just before half-time but Jack Butland saved James Tavernier’s penalty. To rub salt into the wound the Rams took the lead against the run of play when John Eustace turned in Johnny Russell’s free-kick from close range.

Many teams would have crumbled after the setback but Latics stuck to their game plan and secured what could be a season defining victory.

Prior to kick off Uwe Rösler made changes to his last starting line up with Rob Kiernan coming in for the injured Ivan Ramis. Emyr Huws and Don Cowie returned and Roger Espinoza made his first start of the season. Leon Barnett wore the Captain’s armband for the first time as a Wigan Athletic player.

Wigan pressed Derby from the outset denying them space and time and keeping possession for long periods.

They limited the Rams to very few chances. The home team’s best chance came when Johnny Russell found space on the right but his shot was a foot wide of Scott Carson’s right hand post.

At the other end, Huws forced Butland into an early save and the Rams on-loan keeper had to be at his best to deny a McManaman drive. McManaman also had a shout for a penalty after seemingly being brought down in the area but referee Robert Madly booked the winger for simulation.

Just before half time the match seemingly turned in Derby’s favour. Eustace was penalised for handball inside the box, but Butland rescued the Rams, by saving Tavernier’s spot-kick, and the midfielder Eustace gave his team the lead by tapping home following a free-kick.

Latics players looked stunned after playing so well and then conceding a goal. Uwe Rösler’s half time teamtalk would be critical if Wigan were to respond positively to the setback.

Derby manager Steve McClaren was clearly not happy with his team’s first half performance despite being ahead and made two half time substitutions. Jeff Hendrick for Will Hughes and Simon Dawkins for Jordan Ibe.

Dawkins might have added a second for Derby early in the second period but his shot narrowly missed the target, then Hendricks had a shot from the edge of the area well saved by Scott Carson.

James McClean then replaced the injured McManaman on the hour mark and started to cause problems for the Rams back line.

McClean drew Latics level on 68 minutes following good work by Cowie and Espinoza. The Honduran midfielder pulled the ball back for the onrushing McClean who got between two defenders and fired home from near the penalty spot.

The ascendancy was with Latics now and their confidence visibly grew. Substitute Shaun Maloney replaced Huws with fifteen minutes remaining and the Scot’s free-kick almost led to a second goal when McClean’s backwards header almost deceived Butland but the ball went just over the crossbar.

Tavernier burst into the box and fired just wide of the far post as Latics looked the most likely to take the lead.

Wigan got their just rewards on 83 minutes; Adam Forshaw’s shot was parried by Butland, Fortune followed up and in the ensuing scramble McClean forced the ball home.

Chris Martin fired a late free-kick just wide of Carson’s goal, but anything other than a Wigan victory would have been an injustice.

This was a thoroughly deserved victory for a team playing the type of high tempo pressing football that Rösler would like to play every week. The players worked tirelessly throughout, and although it might be unfair to single out individuals in such a great team performance, Marc-Antoine Fortune, James McClean, Emyr Huws and Don Cowie had their best games in Latics colours.

If Wigan can maintain this level of performance they will rise up the table in what is a very tight division. Although they sit in 19th spot in the table they are only eight points away from the play-off zone.

Posted in Championship, Derby County, James McClean, John Eustace, Steve McClaren, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Latics winless run continues – Wigan Athletic 0 Millwall 0

Posted on October 22, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Shaun Maloney

Shaun Maloney tested Millwall keeper David Forde

Wigan Athletic’s winless run was extended to eight games after yet another 0-0 draw, this time at home to Millwall. The home team dominated the game but lacked the cutting edge which would have given them all three points.

James McClean fired into the side netting from close range, Shaun Maloney drew an excellent save from the Millwall keeper David Forde and substitute Callum McManaman beat the Lions keeper but his effort hit the crossbar.

Ricardo Fuller had the one gilt-edged opportunity for the Lions but failed to control the ball in the box.

Wigan welcomed new loan signing Maynor Figueroa into the starting eleven as one of three changes, alongside Marc-Antoine Fortune and William Kvist, replacing Callum McManaman, Don Cowie and Andrew Taylor.

Rösler’s men nearly took an early lead when Oriol Riera put pressure on David Forde and the keeper’s poor clearance went straight into the path of James McClean, but the Irishman could only strike the side netting.

Soon afterwards some neat interplay on the edge of the Lions box provided an opening for Maloney and the Scottish international drew an excellent full length save from Forde.

James Tavernier, making his second successive start, was delivering some good crosses into the danger zone but Wigan were unable to capitalise on his good work.

Millwall’s only real chance of the first half fell to Scott McDonald in the 38th minute. McDonald produced a 30 yard effort which Scott Carson held comfortably.

Latics upped the pressure in the second period. Riera was working tirelessly alongside Marc-Antoine Fortune and the Spanish striker nearly stole the ball off Forde in the penalty area with his slide tackle.

Riera then nearly got on the score sheet when he converted Fortune’s cross, but the Frenchman was called offside.

Millwall offered little going forward and were clearly content to play for a point.

Latics fans were clearly frustrated by the Lions persistent fouling and time-wasting. Forde in particular should have been yellow carded for excessive time-wasting by referee Eddie Iderlton, who did book three Millwall players, but the tally should have been much higher.

Despite their dominance Latics were failing to penetrate the Millwall defence and Rösler introduced McManaman on 61 minutes. The winger looked lively and nearly got on the score sheet when he curled an angled cross beyond Forde but the ball hit the crossbar and bounced to safety.

Ricardo Fuller should have done better with a late chance for Millwall but failed to capitalise, and the Jamaican striker could have been sent off for a very late challenge which left Scott Carson prostrate.

Millwall manager Ian Holloway was sarcastic with his post match comment:

“I didn’t want to just come here and waste time and get a point – I wanted to win.”

Rösler’s men had been the better team throughout and if they could find a cutting edge they would have won comfortably. They had dominated possession and had 15 shots to Millwall’s 6.

This was the third successive goalless home league game.

The Wigan manager identified the problem to the press after the game:

“I think it’s a little bit about the quality as well because we do everything right up until the last 20 metres and then we are not acting like we should act, especially for the quality of players we have in our squad.”

Posted in Championship, Ian Holloway, Millwall, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

It’s all about Uwe – Wigan Athletic 0 Brentford 0

Posted on October 19, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Wigan Athletic Manager Uwe Rösler

Uwe Rösler

All eyes were upon Uwe Rösler on Saturday afternoon as his Wigan team came upon against his former charges Brentford at the DW Stadium. The former East German international striker has had a superb start to his managerial career at Wigan taking the club to the FA Cup semi-final and reaching the Championship play-offs, but things have turned sour for Rösler this season with Latics struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Wigan were desperate to pick up their first win in seven games and mid-table Brentford were determined to get one over their former manager, but the game ended in stalemate with neither team gaining the upper hand in a tame 0-0 draw.

Latics made four changes from their last game at Wolves, with a more attack orientated line up including Callum McManaman, James Tavernier, Oriol Riera and Adam Forshaw coming in for Marc-Antoine Fortune, William Kvist, James Perch and Emyr Huws.

Former Brentford star player Adam Forshaw featured in the Latics line up following his acrimonious and protracted transfer in August.

Brentford looked lively early on as Moses Odubajo saw two efforts saved by Carson but Latics created a great opportunity on the half-hour mark when Maloney was set up by Oriol Riera and just when it looked like the diminutive Scot would give them the lead, Bees keeper David Button turned his low shot round the post.

Some sloppy play by Forshaw allowed Brentford possession and a long ball forward found Andre Gray beyond the last defender Ivan Ramis, but the former Luton Town player lobbed the ball over Carson and onto the roof of the net. Minutes later he had another chance but volleyed wide from 10 yards out.

Latics new line up was struggling to find any rhythm with wingers James McClean and Callum McManaman largely ineffective. Oriel Riera was holding the ball up well but he was rarely given a pass where he could threaten the goal.

Brentford looked the most likely to sneak it, with Alex Pritchard’s strike forcing a good save by Carson, and then an even better save when he denied Jota by tipping round the post.

The Bees Jonathan Douglas also ought to have done better when he fired into the side-netting.

But Wigan nearly won it in the 85th minute when Tavernier put in a deep cross from the right-hand side, and McClean evaded his marker but unfortunately his header flew inches over the crossbar and the game ended goalless.

This was a strangely lacklustre performance by Rösler‘s men and many fans are starting to question the manager’s decision-making. Uwe seems incapable of deciding on his best line up and the lack of continuity is contributing to the poor results.

Wigan were without Emmerson Boyce and Emyr Huws yesterday due to injury, but the constant chopping and changing in formation and starting eleven seems to be affecting the players.

Coaches Eric Black and Graham Barrow have a say in team matters but the buck stops with Rösler and the pressure is now mounting on the manager to turn things around very quickly.

Latics have not lost in the last three games but they need to turn the draws into wins starting against Millwall on Tuesday night.

Posted in Adam Forshaw, Brentford, Championship, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics still struggling for the right combination – Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on October 5, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Billy Wright statue

Wolverhampton legend Billy Wright

Wigan secured a point in a 2-2 draw at Molineux, but they could so easily have been defeated as Wolves wasted a hatful of good goalscoring opportunities in the last 20 minutes.

Dave Edwards header gave Wolves the lead from Rajiv van La Parra’s cross in the 30th minute.

Latics were level two minutes later when James Perch powered home a header from a Shaun Maloney free-kick and Marc-Antoine Fortune put the visitors ahead with a smart finish just before half-time.

But Bakary Sako slotted home from the edge of the area after James Henry had miscued Scott Golbourne’s corner to restore parity.

Latics were without injured Captain Emmerson Boyce with Leon Barnett deputising, but Rösler once again made other changes to his starting eleven. Shaun Maloney came in Callum McManaman, while Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced Andy Delort, both of whom occupied a place on the bench.

Both teams cancelled each other out in the early stages, but on the half-hour mark Wolves took the lead when Dave Edwards headed past Carson from inside the box from Rajiv van La Parra’s cross from the right.

Almost immediately Latics hit back with the equaliser. Fortune was tripped just outside the box and near the goal line. Maloney clipped in a perfect delivery and James Perch,  rose at the far post to head home from close range.

Just before the interval Latics went ahead. Full-back Andrew Taylor ventured forward and delivered a deep curling cross to the far post and Fortune got the better of Richard Stearman and fired high into the Wolves net.

Latics almost extended their lead early in the second-half. Maloney’s floated free-kick caused problems in the box, Wolves half cleared but following a second cross James McClean headed over the crossbar.

The Mali midfielder Sako might have drawn the scores level when he broke dangerously down the left hand side, but his shot only hit the side netting.

As the half progressed the home team gradually gained control of the game.

Former Latic Nouho Dicko got away from Ramis and managed to force a low save from Carson. McClean responded for Latics but his goalbound effort was deflected for a corner by Doherty. At the other end Dicko’s dangerous low cross was cleared by Taylor.

From the resulting corner Wolves were level. The ball was cut back to the edge of the area were James Henry completely missed the ball but Sako finished with some aplomb curling a low drive beyond Carson.

With 20 minutes remaining Andy Delort replaced Fortune, but the French striker struggled to retain possession, as Wolves mounted wave after wave of attacks.

Wolves upped the pressure and Carson had to be at his best tipping away a header from Edwards and then Doherty saw his 87th-minute header bounce off the bar as Latics somehow held on for a point.

Latics remain fourth from bottom of the Championship while newly promoted Wolves remain in seventh position.

Wigan were expected to amongst the promotion favourites this season but they have only taken ten points from the opening eleven games. They are most definitely going through a transitional period with many of the nine new signings struggling to make an impact.

Rösler‘s rotation policy is not showing rewards and the time to move to a settled line up is surely upon us. There are still plenty of games left to turn things around but the manager needs to decide on his best starting eleven and stick with it.

Posted in Bakary Sako, Championship, Dave Edwards, James Perch, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Wigan Athletic, Wolves | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Progress with unity – Wigan Athletic 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Posted on October 1, 2014 by ianhaspinall
James McClean

James McClean produced a Man of the Match display. Pic by Michael Kranewitter

Wigan produced a much improved performance to hold undefeated Nottingham Forest to a 0-0 draw at the DW Stadium last night. In a fiercely competitive match Latics probably deserved to edge the victory but some wayward finishing meant the points were shared.

Prior to game Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan had spoken to the players and given reassurances about Uwe Rösler‘s leadership and this seemed to galvanise the team.

Latics adopted a 4-3-3 formation and made four changes to the team defeated at Bournemouth, with Andy Delort, Emyr Huws, James McClean and Callum McManaman coming in for Marc-Antoine Fortune, Martyn Waghorn, Rob Kiernan and Adam Forshaw.

Wigan started on the front foot with Callum McManaman posing a major threat down the right hand side. But Forest responded and nearly took the lead when Eric Lichaj fired a cross from the left towards the far post but Michail Antonio blazed over the bar from close range.

Latics soon regained the upper hand with James McClean at the centre of the action. The Republic of Ireland international nearly gave the home team the lead when he played a neat one-two with Andy Delort and acrobatically volleyed just over the crossbar.

Latics continued to dominate, with the midfield three of Huws, Don Cowie and William Kvist linking up well. But they were unable to turn their possession into goals and the teams went into the interval level.

Forest created the first opening of the second half, with Britt Assombalonga forcing a save from Scott Carson. Latics responded with Delort forcing a save from Karl Darlow at the other end.

McClean continued to look the most likely scorer and carved out a great opening for himself when he outwitted three Forest defenders and found himself with the goal at his mercy, but he blazed wide of the right hand post.

Forest were producing some rugged challenges and referee Kevin Wright adopted a far too lenient approach for the Wigan fans. Hunt, Mancienne and Lansbury were all booked for Forest but it could so easily have been so many more.

With fifteen minutes remaining Latics nearly made their dominance count when left-back Andrew Taylor smashed a looping volley just wide of the right hand post.

However, the visitors might have stolen the points with eight minutes remaining when Chris Burke’s dangerous cross evaded everybody in the six yard box, much to the relief of the Latics fans.

Man of the Match McClean continued to pose Latics biggest threat right up to the final whistle, but despite his best efforts he was unable to force the win.

This was a great improvement on recent showings and despite rumours to the contrary showed the unity in the Latics camp.

The players had shown the desire and commitment that has been lacking in recent games. The pace and tempo were much higher than recently and if only they can find a cutting edge the results will surely come.

The players stayed on the pitch at the end to applaud the fans who had given their vociferous backing throughout the game. Afterwards Rösler congratulated the fans and the Chairman on their excellent support.

The motto for the evening should be ‘Progress with Unity’, now where have I heard that before?

Posted in Championship, James McClean, Nottingham Forest, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment