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

Pressure mounts on Rösler after another defeat – Bournemouth 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 28, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Goldsands Stadium, Bournemouth

Goldsands Stadium. Pic by Matthew Jackson.

Bournemouth heaped pressure on Wigan manager Uwe Rösler as they condemned his team to a second defeat in six days with a goal in each half from Yann Kermorgant and Simon Francis.

Kermorgant gave the Cherries the lead from Matt Ritchie’s cross eight minutes before half-time.

With 20 minutes of the game remaining Francis sealed the victory when he started and finished a flowing move pushing Bournemouth into mid table and leaving Latics struggling in 18th place.

Wigan offered little throughout and the result rarely looked in doubt as the Cherries comfortably overcame a lacklustre Latics line up.

The omens did not look good before the kick off as Rösler once again changed his starting eleven with Andrew Taylor brought in as a wing back in the move to 3-5-2, with Emyr Huws replacing William Kvist in midfield. Surprisingly Rosler decided to start with Marc-Antoine Fortune and Martyn Waghorn as the two forwards.

As early as the third minute Callum Wilson nearly gave the home team the lead but his shot went narrowly wide.

The home team were the more progressive and in the 36th minute Ritchie’s pinpoint cross found Kermorgant, and the big french striker headed home.

Wilson might have doubled the Cherries lead early in the second half but some good defensive play by Ivan Ramis denied him the opportunity.

But on 70 minutes Bournemouth sealed the victory when Wilson dummied Francis’ pass, letting it run into the feet of Kermorgant, who returned the ball to Francis and the defender tucked the ball underneath Scott Carson.

A late Andy Delort free-kick drew a save from Artur Boric but in truth Wigan hadn’t deserved anything from the game.

Rösler was visibly shaken by the result and in his post match interviews he acknowledged the poor performance.

“Overall it is not good enough, I feel embarrassed for my chairman and my supporters for not delivering better results than we do at the moment.

I think we all want to do well, all my players want to do well, but in the moment we lack in confidence. When you play for Wigan Athletic that comes responsibilities, expectations, pressure and in the moment we can’t perform under those circumstances.”

Wigan have won only two league games out of nine and lie only three points above the relegation zone.  Many fans are understandably disgruntled and are already calling for a change in manager on social media.

However, despite the poor results I think it is too early to call an end to Rosler’s reign. The squad is strong and capable of much better. The manager proved last season that he is capable of turning Latics results around and getting the team back in the promotion race.

Rösler knows that if results do not improve his job will be on the line. But now is the time for the supporters to get behind the team and back the manager starting on Tuesday night at home to Nottingham Forest.

Posted in Bournemouth, Championship, Jann Kermorgant, Simon Francis, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Wigan tormented by Tractor Boys – Wigan Athletic 1 Ipswich Town 2

Posted on September 23, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Conor Sammon, Ipswich Town

Conor Sammon came back to haunt Latics. Pic by Michael Kranewitter

In front of the TV cameras Latics gave a stuttering performance which allowed Ipswich Town to take all three points at the DW Stadium last night.

Luke Hyam gave Ipswich the lead when he converted Tyrone Mings’s low cross and the Tractor Boys doubled their lead in the second half when former Latics striker Conor Sammon bundled the ball over the line from close range.

Wigan responded on 82 minutes when Martyn Waghorn deflected in a James McClean shot and Oriol Riera might have equalised but his powerful effort thumped the post.

Uwe Rösler decided to change his usual formation and went for a back four of Boyce, Ramis, Keirnan and Perch and a midfield three of Kvist, Cowie and Forshaw. The forward line consisted of McManaman, Delort and Maloney.

Latics started brightly, dominating the possession, and might have scored when Andy Delort headed over from a Shaun Maloney cross.

Latics continued to press in the opening stages and could have been awarded a penalty, when Emmerson Boyce was brought down by Christophe Berra, but referee Andy Woolmer waved away the appeals.

Ipswich’s physical approach was starting to disrupt Wigan’s passing game with Callum McManaman in particular singled out for some bone crunching tackles.

Town were closing Wigan down quickly and springing their own attacks.

In the 18th minute Daryl Murphy drew a fine save from Scott Carson and two minutes later Tyrone Mings driven low cross was converted by Luke Hyam from eight yards out.

Ipswich might have increased their lead soon afterwards when Murphy’s cross beat Carson but Ivan Ramis was able to clear away the danger before David McGoldrick could apply the final touch.

Latics responded strongly with McManaman posing a threat but the young winger was soon clattered by Berra and had to go off injured in the 36th minute, with James McClean coming on.

Soon afterwards Town should have been reduced to ten men when Shaun Maloney was brought down by Mings when he had a clear run on goal. Mings received a yellow card from referee Woolmer but many other referees would have given a red.

Latics went into the interval one nil down but having dominated possession they just needed more penetration in front of goal. Striker Andy Delort was working hard but he was struggling to hold up the ball and link up with his team mates.

Midfielder Adam Forshaw might have equalised in the 51st minute when his shot from the edge of the area just cleared the crossbar.

But Ipswich stunned the home crowd on 63 minutes when McGoldrick threaded the ball through to former Latics striker Conor Sammon, who rounded Carson and bundled the ball into an empty net.

The visitors could have added to their lead soon afterwards but McGoldrick fired wide from the edge of the area.

Rösler brought on Oriel Riera for Maloney on 64 minutes and then Martyn Waghorn for Delort after 72 minutes and this helped change the pattern of play in Wigan’s favour. Forshaw moved from the right to the centre of midfield and Cowie moved over to the right which gave Wigan a more balanced formation. Riera held the ball up well and looked more comfortable in the air than the shorter Delort.

Latics reduced the arrears in the 82nd minute when James McClean’s arrowed drive from 12 yards out was deflected home via Waghorn’s knee.

It was all Wigan now with Town manager Mick McCarthy exchanging some anxious glances with his assistant Terry Connor.

Emmerson Boyce blazed wide from inside the area and with three minutes remaining Riera was denied an equaliser when his powerful shot crashed against the right hand post.

Latics had dominated possession and had twenty shots to Ipswich’s eight. Once again the major failure continues to be in the final third were they are unable to capitalise on their overall dominance.

A disappointing result for Latics but it was perhaps inevitable that it would take time for the new players to settle into the team. Rösler has changed the playing style this season and perhaps because of the injury to Emyr Huws the formation had to be changed against Ipswich. There has been a significant turnover in playing staff during the transfer window and many of the players are still getting to know each other.

The doom and gloom amongst some of the supporters is perhaps understandable given the high expectations but it should be balanced by the understanding that it takes time to build a new team and that is essentially where Wigan Athletic are at his moment in time. Patience is required please.

Posted in Championship, Conor Sammon, Ipswich Town, Luke Hyam, Martyn Waghorn, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics awayday blues continue – Huddersfield Town 0 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 16, 2014 by ianhaspinall
John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield

John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield

Wigan’s inability to win away from home continued as they were held 0-0 in a dour encounter at Huddersfield Town. Latics have still to win on their travels this season and found it hard to break down a Town team who occupy a spot in the bottom three and have not won in the Championship since August 19th.

Uwe Rösler surprisingly opted to keep faith with the same side that went down 3-1 at Blackburn with midfielder Emyr Huws passing a late fitness test.

New Town manager Chris Powell made two changes to the side beaten by Middlesborough, Danny Ward replacing Harry Bunn while Jon Stead deputised for the injured James Vaughan.

Latics started sluggishly and nearly went behind in the first five minutes when Danny Ward’s cross-cum-shot was saved on the line by full back Andrew Taylor.

Ward then tested Scott Carson with a dipping shot but the former England keeper held it comfortably.

As the half progressed Latics began to grow in confidence and started to create some chances of their own.

Striker Andy Delort produced a long-range effort and then Callum McManaman nearly got on the score sheet when he rounded keeper Alex Smithies but saw his goal-bound effort well blocked first by Joel Lynch and then Mark Hudson.

On the half-hour mark McManaman looked to have been brought down in the Town penalty area, but despite his protests, referee Seb Stockbridge produced a yellow card having decided the winger had dived.

Wigan started the second half brightly and Town keeper Smithies twice had to keep out efforts from Huws in the opening couple of minutes.

Latics were dominating possession but they could not turn their dominance into goals, and Town substitute Sean Scannell was causing problems down the right-wing with his pace.

The winger was unlucky to see an excellent delivery cleared away from his own goal by Emmerson Boyce and later another dangerous delivery from Scannell was hooked from under his own crossbar by Man of the Match Boyce.

Wigan continued to press forward, with substitute James Tavernier producing some testing crosses into the danger area but no Latics player was able to capitalise.

But with only ten minutes remaining Huddersfield could have taken all three points,  when Jon Stead forced a great save from Scott Carson with a close range header after yet another Scannell cross.

Wigan’s best opportunity fell to substitute Oriol Riera who met James Tavernier’s cross, but the Spanish striker’s effort went harmlessly over the crossbar and the chance of a first away victory of the season disappeared.

Wigan’s Huddersfield jinx continues and they have still never won at Huddersfield in the league. Their only win there in 14 meetings in all competitions was 4-1 in the FA Cup in February last year. A point wasn’t of much benefit to either side with Latics remaining in 16th place in the table and Town dropping down to 22nd position.

Posted in Championship, Chris Powell, Huddersfield Town, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Marshall magic gives Rovers the edge – Blackburn Rovers 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on September 14, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Ewood Park

Ewood Park

Scoring two top quality goals by Man of the Match Ben Marshall was the difference between Blackburn and Wigan at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon.

Marshall blasted a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner and later exquisitely curled a another past Scott Carson after Jordan Rhodes provided Rovers second goal with a close range header.

Ivan Ramis had missed a first-half penalty for Latics before they took the lead through a James Perch volley just after half-time.

Wigan had been the better team in the opening half with new signings Andy Delort and William Kvist making their debuts. Callum McManaman once again looked lively and posed a major threat to the Rovers backline.

In fact, it was McManaman who might have scored with seven minutes of the first-half remaining when he jinked into the Rovers box and just when he was about to shoot his leg was caught by Alex Baptiste and referee Roger East awarded a spot kick.

With none of Latics usual penalty takers on the pitch, Ramis stepped up to take the spot kick but blazed the ball high over the crossbar.

Despite the miss Latics continued to dominate, McManaman had a shot well saved by Robinson before the winger sent in a cross which was headed over by Emmerson Boyce just before the interval.

Wigan continued to press at the beginning of the second-half and it was not long before they were ahead. Emyr Huws made inroads into the Rovers box before his cross was deflected out to Perch on the edge of the area and the former Newcastle defender’s shot found the bottom left corner of the net.

But in a crazy five minutes the game turned in Rovers favour. First Latics failed to clear Craig Conway’s cross and Marshall expertly chested the ball down and fired it into the bottom corner.

Three minutes later Rovers were controversially awarded a free-kick when it appeared that McManaman had been fouled rather than committed a foul. From the resulting set piece the prolific Rhodes headed Conway’s cross past Scott Carson to leave Latics in a state of shock.

The visitors were stunned by the turn of events and the home team now took control. Marshall was denied by Carson’s spectacular one-handed save and Varney nearly got on the end of Marcus Olsson’s low cross.

Nine minutes from time Rovers sealed the victory when Marshall capped his Man of the Match display when he picked up Olsson’s pass and superbly curled a low shot into the right corner.

The difference between the two sides had been in the final third were Rovers and in particular Marshall were excellent while Latics struggled to penetrate.

Rovers now move up to eighth in the table and Wigan drop down to 16th. Latics must move onto Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night knowing that a win is essential if they are to get their season back on track.

Posted in Ben Marshall, Blackburn Rovers, Championship, Ivan Ramis, James Perch, Jordan Rhodes, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Revolving door just keeps turning – transfer deadline day round up

Posted on September 1, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Andy Delort

New signing Andy Delort

The revolving door of football transfers turned rapidly today at the DW Stadium with some significant ins and outs.

After some protracted transfer dealings long time target Adam Forshaw arrived from Brentford for around £4m and striker Andy Delort signed from French Ligue 2 team FC Tours for just under £3m. Welsh international Emyr Huws joined on a permanent deal from Manchester City and a surprise signing came in the form of Denmark international William Kvist from VFB Stuttgart.

On the negative side FA Cup winner and fans favourite James McArthur left Wigan to join Crystal Palace for a reported record club fee of £7m.

Adam Forshaw

22-year-old Forshaw was the 2013/14 League One Player of the Year and joins Latics on a four year contract. Uwe Rosler earmarked the former Everton trainee as a replacement for last season’s Player of the Year Jordi Gomez.

Latics manager told the official website:

“First of all, I want to say that Adam was always my number one target as a permanent replacement for Jordi Gomez. We are all therefore delighted that he is joining us. 

Of course he is a player I know well, I initially loaned him during my time at Brentford and he gained his first regular league football experience there under me. “

Rosler continued:



“Adam will be a big part of our future at this football club; he is the right age, with the right qualities and desire to progress here. 

He will take the Championship in his stride and, like all of our signings, we believe he has the potential to flourish in the Premier League as well.”

Andy Delort

Wigan fought off competition from Wolves, Brentford, QPR and Lille in France to secure Andy Delort’s signature.

The young striker is a former France Under 20’s international and has also represented France Beach Soccer team. Delort was named in the Ligue 2 Team of the Season for 2013/14 whilst playing for FC Tours, and finished second in the Ligue 2 Player of the Year.

Rosler enthused:

“Andy is such an exciting player. He lives to score and from the moment that Tony Coton first spotted him last season playing for Tours, there was a real desire to bring him to our club.

We have managed to bring in a proven goal scorer at the right age for under £3million and that is a testament to our club but especially to the player, his family and his agent.

Despite huge pressure from outside during these last few days, he has never wavered in his desire to join us. “

The 22-year-old had an excellent strike rate with 24 goals in 36 outings for FC Tours last season. He will be expected to provide stiff competition for recent £3m signing Oriel Riera in the central striker role.”

Emyr Huws

Latics fans will be disappointed to see the departure of FA Cup winner James McArthur to Crystal Palace for a club record £7m, but the money received has already been well invested in the permanent signing of Emyr Huws from Manchester City for a fee of around £3m.

The 20-year-old has impressed during his loan and Rosler knows that the Welsh international has the potential to become a top Premier League player.

Rosler was delighted with the move and told the official website:

“Emyr has impressed everyone since arriving at the club, and we feel that he can have a major role to play in the future of the club.

Everybody can see what a very talented player Emyr is, and from the first training session with us leading through to the games he has played, he has been very good.

At just 20 years old he is already with the full Welsh national team and the chance to sign him on a long-term contract was too good an opportunity to turn down.”

William Kvist

Denmark international William Kvist is Wigan’s fourth signing of transfer deadline day.
Kvist joins on a free transfer from Bundesliga team VFB Stuttgart, subject to Football League and international clearance.

The 29-year-old defensive midfielder has represented his country at every level from the age of 16 and will win his 48th full cap if he plays against Turkey this week. He played eight games on loan for Fulham last season in the Premier League on loan from Stuttgart but has not featured so far this campaign for VFB.

Latics manager Uwe Rosler was delighted with the signing of the Dane.

He said:

“William is a player I know from my time in Norway, when Lillestrom faced Copenhagen in the Scandinavian Royal League final. He is a top international midfielder in the prime of his career and we are absolutely delighted to be able to sign him.

He knows the football culture in this country having played here for Fulham last season and we are fortunate that we have been able to get him at this stage of his career. He will add great experience, knowledge of the position and of course competition in our midfield area. We are delighted to bring him on board.”

With only one major departure and four promising new signings transfer deadline day ended with Latics fans in optimistic mood for the rest of the season.

Posted in Adam Forshaw, Andy Delort, Brentford, Championship, Crystal Palace, FC Tours, James McArthur, Lille, Manchester City, QPR, Wolves | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics in formidable form – Wigan Athletic 4 Birmingham City 0

Posted on August 30, 2014 by ianhaspinall
James McArthur Wigan Athletic

Transfer target James McArthur

Latics produced an outstanding display of attacking football to defeat Birmingham City 4-0 at the DW Stadium.

Two goals by Callum McManaman and one each for full back Andrew Taylor and substitute Martyn Waghorn provided an emphatic scoreline but it could so easily have been many more.

Oriol Riera, McArthur, McManaman and Waghorn all should have added to the scoreline against a Birmingham team that offered very little.

Latics preparations for the game could have been disrupted by the departure of James McArthur to Leicester City and the protracted transfer of Adam Forshaw from Brentford, but it seemed the off the field activity had the opposite effect and only galvanised the team into producing their best performance of the season.

Right from the off Latics set about their opponents with determination, gaining control in the midfield. McArthur was seemingly everywhere, chasing down his opponents, winning the ball and setting up play for his colleagues.

McManaman gave Latics the lead after only nine minutes with a splendidly creative run and finish. The young Liverpudlian is starting to fulfill his undoubted potential and was a threat all afternoon.

Wigan doubled their lead on 39 minutes when full back Taylor opened his account for the club. The young full back was fed by McArthur on the left hand side and his arrowed shot found the back of the net via the right hand post.

The three points were sealed just before half time with another superb effort from McManaman. After a neat interchange with Emyr Huws, McManaman showed great balance and technique by curling the ball away from the Blues keeper Darren Randolph and into the corner of the net.

It was a perfect first half performance and one which had the home fans purring during the interval.

It was always going to be difficult for Latics to reach the same high level of performance after the interval but they continued to dominate apart from a late surge by the visitors as they sought a consolation goal.

Latics fourth goal arrived on 78 minutes through substitute Martyn Waghorn who linked up well with fellow substitute Shaun Maloney to score from six yards out.

Maloney was involved again shortly after but he could not create the goal for the omnipresent McArthur, who fired into the side-netting from close range.

Emmerson Boyce might have added a fifth late on, but his header was tipped over by Randolph.

This was a memorable performance by Latics and if they can maintain this level of performance after the international break they will soon be joining the Championship pacesetters.

Posted in Birmingham City, Callum McManaman, Championship, James McArthur, Martyn Waghorn, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics get vital first win – Wigan Athletic 1 Blackpool 0

Posted on August 24, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Oriel Riera

Oriel Riera on target for Latics

A first goal for new signing Oriel Riera was enough for Latics to secure their first three points of the season against struggling Blackpool at the DW Stadium.

Wigan should’ve been out of sight by half time after creating a stream of good goal scoring opportunities. But they were unable to produce the killer second goal to make the game comfortable.

Blackpool huffed and puffed but in truth they look a team destined for relegation. The Seasiders fans spent most of the game demanding the resignation of the unpopular Oyston family and will feel relieved that they only lost by a narrow margin.

In bright sunlight Latics attacked from the off with Callum McManaman posing a major threat down the right hand side.

The Seasiders David Perkins picked up an early yellow card for clattering into McManaman and Wigan might have gone ahead when James Perch’s cross found Riera, the Spanish striker heading just over from a good position.

Manchester City loanee Emyr Huws’ cross then found skipper Emmerson Boyce, who volleyed over from inside the box.

Wigan’s best opportunity came after 20 minutes when Riera produced an excellent low cross for McManaman who with the goal at his mercy sliced his effort wide of the target.

McManaman was then lucky to survive a reckless challenge from Peter Clarke. The Blackpool player might have been dismissed but on this occasion only received a yellow card.

Wigan continued to dominate and on 35 minutes they got their reward when Riera produced a controlled finish in the area following a cross by Andrew Taylor.

Latics looked likely to add to their lead when Perch’s cross from the right looked perfect for McManaman but Daniels somehow managed to clear off the line.

McManaman was in the thick of everything and nearly doubled Latics lead before the interval when his shot went just past the far post.

However, as the half drew to a close the visitors could have been level when John Lundstram’s shot was deflected past the post.

Wigan continued their dominance at the beginning of the second half, with McManaman once again prominent. The Liverpudlian beat three defenders but his final shot unfortunately went straight at the goalkeeper.

Wigan did look vulnerable on the counter-attack and Blackpool almost levelled when substitute Nile Ranger fired over from inside the six-yard box.

As the game moved towards the final whistle Wigan dropped back and became increasingly concerned about protecting their lead and securing the vital first three points of the season.

A last-minute free-kick on the edge of the Wigan area caused a few hearts to flutter but fortunately the opportunity came to nothing.

The struggling Seasiders haven’t managed a point from their opening four fixtures and their prospects for the rest of the season look dire.

For Latics this was a much improved performance. After a wobbly start to the campaign they move up the table to 18th and will be hoping to build on their progress with another home fixture against Birmingham City next Saturday.

Posted in Blackpool, Championship, Oriel Riera, Uncategorized, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment