Latics extend unbeaten run at Portman Road – Ipswich Town 1 Wigan Athletic 3

Posted on March 16, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Portman Road, Ipswich Townn

Away fans view at Portman Road

Wigan moved confidently into a play-off slot with an excellent 3-1 victory at promotion rivals Ipswich Town.

Two goals by Republic of Ireland winger James McClean and one by former Norwich defender Leon Barnett gave Latics the points despite going behind to Tommy Smith’s 19th minute opener.

Uwe Rösler’s men have now won an incredible eight consecutive games. The unbeaten run has included away victories against Championship challengers Brighton, Nottingham Forest and now Ipswich plus Premier League opposition Cardiff City and Manchester City in the FA Cup.

On a sunny day in Suffolk, Ipswich started briskly and tried to unsettle Wigan with some direct attacking play which is typical of Mick McCarthy’s teams. They went ahead when Smith volleyed headed home after the Wigan defence failed to clear following a free kick.

But Latics are no longer a team who buckle in adversity and they were level within two minutes. McClean lashing the ball into the net from Marc-Antoine Fortune’s low cross after a surging run by Emmerson Boyce.

Luke Hyam should have restored the Ipswich lead but he wasted a glorious opportunity blasting the ball high over the cross-bar from only 10 yards out.

Just before half time Wigan took a firm grip on the game when Barnett headed in following Jordi Gomez’s free kick to the far post.

In the second half Wigan demonstrated their greater quality by dominating possession and creating a number of good chances to increase their lead.

Latics best opportunity came with a three versus one break, Martyn Waghorn feeding James McArthur, but Fortune’s tame effort was blocked by Town skipper Luke Chambers.

Nick Powell came on for Waghorn on 63 minutes and quickly set about causing problems for the Tractor Boys back line.

Gomez was having one of his best games for Latics and he nearly replicated his first half free kick on 72 minutes when the ball was delivered to the far post but this time Barnett could not quite make the vital connection.

But it was not long before Gomez did produce another stunning through ball when he released Fortune down the right.

The big striker produced a low cross which evaded everyone apart from McClean at the far post who finished clinically to send the Latics up to fifth place in the table and severely damage the Tractor Boys play-off aspirations.

Ipswich 4

Wigan players celebrate James McClean’s second goal

Unfortunately mid way through the second period Wigan lost another player to the treatment table when Barnett limped off with what looked like a hamstring injury.

Wigan have already lost Ben Watson, Chris McCann and Roger Espinoza due to injury and it looks as though the push for promotion and FA Cup run is stretching the squad to its very limits.

It is likely that Rösler will have to once again dip into the loan market to strengthen his increasingly depleted squad. They have already played 53 matches so far this season with plenty more to come if they are to be promoted and to make the FA Cup final.

Yeovil Town are next up on Tuesday night and three points are imperative if Latics want to consolidate their position in the play-off places.

Posted in Ipswich Town, James McClean, Leon Barnett, Mick McCarthy, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Al Habsi and Gomez are the penalty kings – Wigan Athletic 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Posted on March 13, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Al Al-Habsi

Ali Al Habsi saved Leon Best’s penalty

Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi and Spanish Midfielder Jordi Gomez were the heroes as Wigan moved to the verge of the play-offs with two games in hand on most of their rivals.

Al Habsi saved a first half penalty from Leon Best and Gomez scored a late penalty as the Latics edged past a stubborn Sheffield Wednesday.

It was Latics seventh straight win in all competitions, but for long periods it looked like Wednesday would get something from the game.

The home team were unable to replicate the form that had given them a remarkable FA Cup victory at Manchester City at the weekend and it was the away team who had several good opportunities to take the lead.

The easiest opportunity came when Jacques Maghoma was brought down by Al Habsi, but the Blackburn loan striker Best failed to convert with Al Habsi diving to his right to save the spot kick.

The Omani keeper has become something of a spot kick specialist having now saved eight penalties during his Latics career.

Wigan were relieved to go into the half time interval level, but they did show an improvement after the break. Substitutes Nick Powell and Callum McManaman provided more of an attacking threat.

James McClean and McManaman should have put Wigan ahead, but with only a few minutes of normal time remaining James Perch was fouled by Caolan Lavery and Gomez calmly stepped up to score the vital goal.

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Championship, Jordi Gomez, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The biggest double giant-killing in FA Cup history – Manchester City 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on March 10, 2014 by ianhaspinall
FA Cup

Wembley beckons for Wigan

Wigan Athletic pulled off another remarkable FA Cup victory to stun Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. City had been vanquished by the Latics in the FA Cup final in May but this time City were even bigger favourites to win on their home patch. Yet Wigan produced an even more inspiring performance that will give tremendous hope to underdogs everywhere.

This result, like the Cup final was no fluke. The Latics once again set about their illustrious opponents with vigour and belief and fully deserved to progress to Wembley for the third time in 12 months.

Both Wigan and City rested several of their Championship and Premier League starting line ups but it was perhaps surprising to some that it was Wigan who started with the most determination and desire. FA Cup final hero Callum McManaman was a thorn in City’s side as the Latics winger tormented the home team with his direct darts and skilful interplay.

City rarely threatened in the opening period and it was the Latics who went ahead on 27 minutes. Marc-Antoine Fortune turned the hapless Martín Demichelis in the box and the Argentinian defender brought him down to concede a penalty. Jordi Gomez sent Costell Pantilimon the wrong way from the spot to send the travelling Latics hoards into delirium.

Everyone expected a City onslaught but it did not materialise and Latics comfortably saw out the remaining minutes of the half.

The opening minute of the second period started in breath-taking fashion as Latics doubled their lead.

James McArthur drove into the City box before crossing low towards the far post, where James Perch evaded Gael Clichy to bundle the ball past Pantilimon.

Wigan were in dreamland and the prospect of another historic victory was within their grasp.

City were in meltdown and Manuel Pellegrini responded by making a triple substitution after 53 minutes that saw David Silva, Edin Dzeko and James Millner replacing Yaya Toure, Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas.

Samir Nasri gave City some hope from the edge of the area after 67 minutes. Though the goal should have been disallowed as Joleon Lescott was clearly offside and blocking Scott Carson’s view.

The goal gave City a boost and Wigan had to hold on for the remaining minutes. Micah Richards fired a shot inches wide. Man of the Match Emmerson Boyce somehow managed to turn James Milner’s cross over his own bar with Edin Dzeko breathing down his neck, and Carson saved from Sergio Agüero before Dzeko had the best chance of the match but headed wide.

Uwe Rösler had prepared his men to perfection and they defended admirably to achieve what must be regarded as the greatest double giant-killing in FA Cup history.

Wigan now join an elite group of clubs who have won at the Etihad this season, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, which is not a bad achievement for a little town in Lancashire with a population of just 81,000 people.

Posted in FA Cup, James Perch, Jordi Gomez, Manchester City, Samir Nasri, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Could Wigan Athletic do the unthinkable twice to Manchester City?

Posted on March 6, 2014 by ianhaspinall
FA Cup winners 2013

Can Wigan do it again to City?

Manchester City have already secured the Capital One Cup and are now aiming for a clean sweep of the domestic trophies. They come up against their FA Cup final nemesis Wigan Athletic on Sunday with few people expecting another upset like the one at Wembley in May last year.

City have the wealthiest owners in world football and have the strongest squad in the Premier League but Wigan will be hoping that all the pressure of expectation will be on City. The Latics will go into game knowing that another victory over Sheikh Mansour’s multi millionaires would send shock waves throughout football.

Wigan had initially struggled in the Championship this season following relegation and a Europa Cup sojourn, but the club has been re-invigorated by new manager Uwe Rösler. The transformation since Rösler took over has been remarkable.

The former City striker and Brentford manager has pushed the Latics from mid-table into the play-off zone whilst also knocking Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace and Cardiff City out of the FA Cup.

The new manager has changed the style of play and made astute use of the transfer loan market, bringing in strikers Nicky Maynard from Cardiff City and Martyn Waghorn from Leicester City and midfielders Josh McEachran from Chelsea and Ryan Tunnicliffe from Fulham.

Waghorn will be cup-tied on Sunday but the manager should be able to call upon top scorer and Manchester United loanee Nick Powell and FA Cup final man of the match Callum McManaman.

The former East German international player has introduced a high tempo pressing game at Wigan similar to the successful German teams like Borussia Dortmund. His football philosophy is comparable to his famous countrymen Jürgen Klinsmann and Joachim Löw, with the emphasis on quick transition, and based on quick counter attack.

Rösler’s impact on team matters has been exceptional: tactics, organisation, fitness, signings and team selections have all improved. The desire, team spirit and determination to win are clear for all to see. His 19 games in charge have yielded 12 wins, four draws and only three defeats.

Rösler will be aware of the size of the task in hand and the wealth of talent at Manuel Pellegrini’s disposal, as an ex-City player he has a long affinity with the club and his 13-year-old son Colin is a City academy player.

Wigan are now in their best form of the season having won the last five games and notably four have been away from the DW Stadium. Rösler will be relishing the prospect of competing against one of the most expensively assembled teams in world football.

There is no doubt he is a determined competitor who will be doing everything in his power to mastermind the biggest double giant-killing in English football history.

Posted in FA Cup, Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics stride confidently into the play-off zone – Nottingham Forest 1 Wigan Athletic 4

Posted on March 1, 2014 by ianhaspinall
View form the away end

View from the away end

Wigan moved into a play-off spot with a convincing 4-1 victory at promotion rivals Nottingham Forest.

Goals by Martyn Waghorn, Emmerson Boyce, James McArthur and Jordi Gomez produced an emphatic scoreline despite a solitary reply from Jamie Paterson.

Forest may be struggling with injuries but Uwe Rösler’s men fully deserved the three points which puts them firmly in the promotion frame.

Both teams set out to attack from the off with chances at both ends.

Simon Cox was the first to threaten for Forest when Leon Barnett tried to play the ball back to Ali Al Habsi, but the Omani keeper rushed out to put him off and the striker miskicked horribly wide.

Latics then threatened when Nicky Maynard controlled Boyce’s long pass, only for his left footed shot to be dragged wide of the right post.

Soon afterwards the returning James Perch nearly got on the scoresheet when a corner wasn’t cleared, it fell to McCann who shot through the bodies in the box and Perch almost scored but Darlow saved low down.

On 35 minutes they went ahead through Leicester City loanee Martyn Waghorn. Gomez and McArthur played a one-two on the right hand side, Gomez cut inside and his left footed shot ricocheted off two defenders and into the path of Waghorn who produced a right footed finish.

Latics edged the first half on chances and deservedly went into the break ahead but Forest were also creating opportunities in what was a very open game.

The away team nearly went two ahead in the opening minute of the second period when a superb through ball by Gomez nearly found Maynard, Collins slipped and inadvertently played the ball to Waghorn but the striker couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to shoot.

Forest responded and attacked down the right and Mackie cut down the by-line, beating Beausejour but putting his low cross straight into the hands of Al Habsi.

On 54 minutes Forest drew level as Latics failed to clear a free kick and Jamie Paterson’s effort deflected off Barnett to beat Al Habsi.

Ten minutes later Latics were back in front. Gomez was again at the centre of the action as he played a lovely 40 yard pass, Halford headed the ball down into the path of Waghorn who volleyed into the ground, it bounced up into the path of Boyce who nodded the ball into the bottom corner.

On 70 minutes James McArthur made it 3-1 when he fired low into the bottom left corner of the Forest goal. McClean’s low shot hit Waghorn on the heel and the ball fell back into the path of McArthur who found the back of the net for the second week running.

Wigan were now well on top and the Forest threat was diminishing.

McClean was posing a constant threat down both wings, first firing a shot just wide of the right post before producing a great run from the right and crossing low but no Latics player could get on the end of it.

In the last-minute of normal time Gomez produced a moment of magic to make it 4-1. The Spanish midfielder curled a superb bending shot high into the corner of the net from outside 30 yards out.

Latics have now won their last five games in all competitions and notably four of them have been away. A place in the end of the season play-offs is within reach and promotion back to the Premier League which looked unlikely under Owen Coyle now appears to be achievable under the excellent stewardship of Uwe Rösler.

Posted in Championship, Emmerson Boyce, James McArthur, Jamie Paterson, Jordi Gomez, Martyn Waghorn, Nottingham Forest, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wigan are peerless in Brighton – Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on February 23, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Amex Stadium

View from the away end

Wigan’s inexorable rise up the Championship table under Uwe Rosler continued with a 2-1 victory at promotion rivals Brighton. The result moves Latics to within one point of the top six with a game in hand over sixth place Reading.

Rosler’s impact since taking over has been very impressive. They have now won five of their last six games and have only lost two in the last seventeen in all competitions.

Two quality finishes by James McArthur and Chris McCann sealed the points despite Leonardo Ulloa’s reply for the Seagulls.

Brighton created numerous chances throughout the game but it was the Latics who were the more clinical in front of goal.

Brighton were on top in the early stages and David Rodriguez should have hit the target and Ali Al Habsi did well to block a goalbound effort from Ulloa.

Wigan then had another lucky escape when Stephens rose unmarked and put a firm header over from Stephen Ward’s cross.

A mistake by Matthew Upson led to Wigan going ahead on 21 minutes through McArthur, who burst through before beating Tomasz Kuszczak with a superb left foot curled finish.

Brighton might have equalised immediately when Dale Stephens crashed a fierce shot against the crossbar.

Wigan weathered the Brighton attempts to draw level and went into the break 1-0 up.

Early in the second half Latics were two ahead. McCann producing a well placed header to beat the Brighton keeper following Waghorn’s corner.

Brighton piled forward with Orlandi shooting into the side-netting, before Rodriguez sent a glancing header wide.

Ulloa made it 2-1 when Upson headed back Orlandi’s corner and the home side almost snatched a draw but Ali Al-Habsi was once again at is best to deny substitute Obika.

This was a significant win for Wigan against a team who are capable of achieving a play- off spot.

A delighted Rosler said afterwards,

“This was a big win for us and it is dedicated to Ben Watson, who broke his leg in midweek.

He had his operation on Friday and the reaction of the players to his injury was first class.

They showed will power to get that win and not to get beaten”.

Posted in Brighton & Hove Albion, Championship, Chris McCann, James McArthur, Leonardo Ulloa, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics win marred by Watson injury – Wigan Athletic 2 Barnsley 0

Posted on February 19, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Ben Watson

Ben Watson suffered a serious leg injury

Wigan secured a vital three points in their quest for a Championship play-off spot when they defeated struggling Barnsley. But the victory was marred by a serious leg injury to FA Cup final hero Ben Watson.

Goals by loan signings Nicky Maynard and Martyn Waghorn ensured that Latics moved to within four points of the play-offs after a dominant first half performance.

Latics struggled to maintain their dominance in the second half, but Barnsley failed to capitalise on some good opportunities.

Wigan made a brisk start to the game and could have been two or three ahead in the opening minutes.

However, the team suffered a major setback in the 20th minute when Watson collided with Martin Woods on the edge of the penalty area. Players and officials immediately called for a stretcher for what appears to be a serious injury to the midfielder who broke his leg only 15 months ago.

Despite the Latics’ players obvious concern for Watson’s wellbeing, they continued to press and pass effectively.

They were rewarded in the 35th minute when Maynard slotted home from close range following Jean Beausejour’s left-wing cross.

They increased their lead in the 44th minute when McClean’s excellent cross found the Leicester City loanee Waghorn who scored his first goal for the club.

Latics eased off in the second half, much to the disgust of Wigan manager Uwe Rosler, but although Barnsley had plenty of possession they failed to punish the home team.

Wigan are now unbeaten in their last six matches at home and now move onto Brighton on Saturday hoping to maintain their run of good form.

However, Wigan’s main concern tonight is the health of Ben Watson. Everybody associated with the club will be hoping that the injury is not too serious and that Ben makes a speedy recovery.

Posted in Barnsley, Ben Watson, Championship, Danny Wilson, Martyn Waghorn, Nicky Maynard, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FA Cup heroes do it again – Cardiff City 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on February 16, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Ben Watson

FA Cup final hero Ben Watson scored a 35 yard free kick

Wigan continue to defy the odds in their attempt to retain the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory at Premier League Cardiff City.

Two quality strikes by Chris McCann and FA Cup final goal scorer Ben Watson took Latics into the quarter finals despite Frazier Campbell’s reply for the Bluebirds.

The Latics line-up contained six players from the squad which famously lifted the trophy in May. Ali Al Habsi, Emmerson Boyce, Ben Watson, Roger Espinoza, Jordi Gomez and Callum McManaman all had a prominent place to play in this accomplished performance.

Latics will be hoping for a repeat result of the final when they face Manchester City in the last eight of the competition on March 8th or 9th at the Etihad Stadium.

Wigan had an early opportunity to take control when Ben Watson’s cross field pass found James Perch on the edge of the Cardiff area but the former Newcastle United man miscued his shot wide of the target.

The Bluebirds responded with an early spell of pressure but it was the away team which took the lead on 18 minutes. Jordi Gomez expertly pulled the ball back from the by line for McCann, whose excellent side foot finish from 12 yards beat Cardiff keeper David Marshall.

Wigan looked comfortable against higher league opposition but Cardiff drew level on 27 minutes when Manchester United loan player Wilfried Zaha jinked into the area and the ball fell to Campbell who drove a left-foot strike past an unsighted Al Habsi.

Cardiff were now in the ascendancy but against the run of play, Wigan grabbed back control of the game. Watson stepped up 35 yards from goal and powered his free kick past the Cardiff keeper after the ball had been rolled into his path by Gomez.

The home team tried to respond and Cala looked set to level for Cardiff just before the interval but his header from a yard out hit the post.

Cardiff continued to press in the second period but Wigan always looked dangerous on the break.

Rösler made early substitutions with Watson replaced by Josh McEachran on the hour mark. Soon afterwards McManaman, who still doesn’t look fully fit, was replaced by James McClean and, in the final ten minutes Stephen Crainey came on for Gomez.

Cardiff were dominating possession but failing to threaten the Latics rearguard until the final ten minutes when Al Habsi had to be at his best to tip over Mats Daehli’s curling effort, then dive at full stretch to save substitute Noone’s 25 yard shot.

McCann almost managed to lob over Marshall at the back post during a Latics counter attack.

Lone striker Marc-Antoine Fortune had worked tirelessly upfront and the Latics midfield and defence held firm despite the home team’s second half territorial dominance.

For Wigan watchers this FA Cup victory over Cardiff was not a major surprise. The team have been in a rich vein of form since Rösler took over and the Bluebirds are teetering on the brink of a quick return to the Championship.

Rösler’s impact on team matters has been exceptional. Tactics, organisation, fitness, loan signings and team selections have all improved and the desire, team spirit and determination to win are for all to see.

Rösler will now be relishing a return to his former club in the FA Cup, where he was a fans’ favourite as a player between 1994 and 1998, but it will be the German’s biggest managerial challenge yet.

Manchester City will once again be massive favourites to win through, but we all know what happened in last year’s final, don’t we?

Posted in Ben Watson, Cardiff City, Chris McCann, FA Cup, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics are back on schedule for the play-offs – Sheffield Wednesday 0 Wigan Athletic 3

Posted on February 11, 2014 by ianhaspinall
The Hillsborough Clock

The Hillsborough Clock by Daniel Bagshaw

Wigan produced an emphatic demonstration of their play-off credentials with 3-0 victory at Hillsborough tonight.

Two goals by loanee striker Nicky Maynard in the first half and an injury time strike by Marc-Antoine Fortune secured a valuable three points in their promotion push.

Sheffield Wednesday had been unbeaten in eleven games in all competitions prior to the fixture and Wigan were looking to bounce back quickly from Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Huddersfield Town.

Wigan were once again without top scorer Nick Powell as Uwe Rosler shuffled his line-up from Saturday’s game with James McClean, Nicky Maynard and Chris McCann coming in.

Latics made the early running with Ben Watson firing wide of the target after good work by James McClean, and the Republic of Ireland winger went close a couple of minutes later when his shot was narrowly wide.

The Owls wasted a good opportunity on 27 minutes when Atdhe Nuhiu’s tame shot failed to trouble Ali Al Habsi in the Wigan goal.

Latics went ahead on the half hour mark when Waghorn set up the on loan Cardiff striker Maynard and his right footed shot found the bottom left corner of the Wednesday net.

Following a spell of pressure Latics doubled their lead on 38 minutes.

Waghorn’s whipped left footed corner evaded the Wednesday defenders and seemed to go straight in at the near post but Maynard was later credited with the goal and must have got the final touch.

Wigan went in search of a third goal as McClean drove forward on the left hand side but although his final cross evaded Chris Kirkland in the Wednesday goal, no Latics player could capitalise on the good work.

As the first half ended the home fans were becoming restless as Wigan went into the break with a deserved two goal lead.

Wednesday improved in the second period and started to exert pressure on the Latics goal.

The double substitution of Antonio and Helan coming on for Maghoma and Afobe seemed to give the home team impetus and almost immediately Helan forced a good save from Al Habsi.

Lavery came on for the injured Semedo and started to run at the Wigan defence and Nuhui headed wide from close range.

Substitute Fortune, on for McClean, was holding the ball up well and Wigan threatened on the counter attack.

As the match moved into last ten minutes of normal time, the Owls looked like they might pull a goal back but for some wayward shooting and the heroics of Al Habsi.

But it was not to be for the home team, and it was Wigan who sealed the points in the 92nd minute when Maynard dribbled into the box and his shot was parried by Kirkland and Fortune was on hand to shoot high into the Wednesday net.

The result moves Wigan up to ninth place in the Championship table with a game in hand on most of their rivals. The play-off spot that looked an impossible prospect in the final days of the Owen Coyle regime now looks like an attainable goal under Uwe Rosler.

Posted in Championship, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Nicky Maynard, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tamed by the Terriers – Huddersfield Town 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on February 9, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Huddersfield v Wigan

Wigan on the attack

Wigan’s play-off ambitions received a setback when they went down 1-0 to a late Adam Clayton strike at the John Smith’s Stadium.

In exceptionally windy conditions both teams struggled to play their best football and the match looked to be heading for a draw with only five minutes remaining when Clayton unleashed a dipping drive from 20 yards which found the bottom left hand corner of the Wigan net.

Wigan drop a place to 11th in the Championship table and Huddersfield move up to 13th.

Uwe Rösler made four changes from the victory against Charlton Athletic, with loanee Martyn Waghorn making his debut and last week’s goal scorers Fortune and Jordi Gomez coming in alongside Stephen Crainey.

Wigan started brightly and looked the more comfortable team in the opening period.

Jean Beausejour created a great opportunity to open the scoring when he produced an incisive cross with James McArthur and Waghorn waiting in the area, but neither player could make full contact and the ball was turned behind by Alex Smithies.

Waghorn was involved in many of Latics best moves and he should have given them the lead just before half time but his close range effort was directed straight at Smithies.

Wigan started the second period in similar fashion and would have been ahead apart from some wayward finishing.

Waghorn hit the side netting, James Perch then headed over at close range from a corner, Ben Watson had a shot blocked and then Waghorn first time volley at the back post, hit the side netting for a second time.

Fortune got in on the act on the hour mark when his deflected shot hit the cross-bar, but the best chance fell to Waghorn and McArthur who couldn’t finish a perfect cross from Gomez.

Latics failure to score was to prove very costly as the Terriers gradually hauled themselves back into the game.

The Terriers brought on midfielder Danny Ward for record signing Nahki Wells and the substitution turned the match in their favour.

Ward soon hit the side-netting with a near-post shot from Oliver Norwood’s angled pass and then Norwood himself was soon peppering the Wigan goal with long-range shots.

Norwood looked to have given the home team the lead on 80 minutes when his thirty-five yard free kick beat Al Habsi, but the ball came back off the cross-bar into the keeper’s grateful hands.

Just when it looked as though Wigan had survived the onslaught, Clayton picked up a poor clearance out of defence and rifled a dipping shot from outside the box into the bottom left hand corner of Al Habsi’s goal.

Despite the defeat Uwe Rösler was surprisingly positive in his post match comments,

“We played some very good football in difficult conditions and limited Huddersfield to few opportunities, particularly in the second half.

“Our shape was good and I was delighted with the way in which we attacked the opposition but when you don’t score from those moments the other side always have a chance.

“Their goal came from a clearance we couldn’t make, and was helped by the wind behind it.

“Overall, I’m as happy as is possible after a defeat.”

It is true that Wigan played well in patches despite the difficult conditions, but their lack of a cutting edge in front of goal proved crucial. Latics had 11 shots during the game but significantly only one was on target and it is evident that they are missing injured top scorer Nick Powell.

Latics will be looking to get back on track when they travel to in-form Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night and then face Cardiff City in the FA Cup next Saturday.

Posted in Adam Clayton, Championship, Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment