Nick Powell powerplay sinks brave MK Dons – MK Dons 1 Wigan Athletic 3 (AET)

Posted on January 14, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Goalscorer Nick Powell

Nick Powell grabbed a brace

Two goals by substitute Nick Powell ensured the FA Cup holders progressed to the fourth round despite stubborn resistance from MK Dons.

The League One side had taken an early lead through Luke Chadwick but with 11 minutes of normal time remaining Powell produced a quality finish to take the tie into extra time and then early in the first period of extra time he added a second. Striker Marc Antoine Fortuné then sealed the result for the Latics with ten minutes remaining.

Wigan now face a home tie against Premier League Crystal Palace on Saturday 25 January.

Partly due to a number of defensive injuries, Uwe Rösler was forced into selecting an experimental line up, with two midfielders in a central defensive trio, Ben Watson and Chris McCann joining recognised centre-half Leon Barnett at the back. Stephen Crainey and James Perch were the wing backs and Fraser Fyvie made a rare start in midfield. Marc Antoine Fortuné was joined by James McClean upfront.

MK Dons started the game confidently and quickly started to cause the experimental Wigan back line problems. Daniel Powell was a constant threat and had an early chance but shot tamely at Ali Al Habsi.

James McClean scuffed a shot wide of the Dons goal but the home side were ahead in the 10th minute. A long ball found Ben Reeves who pulled the ball back to former Manchester United player Chadwick, who finished with some aplomb.

Wigan responded with several attempts at the Dons goal with Fyvie and Roger Espinoza going close.

But the Dons always looked dangerous and could have increased their lead if it was not for the agility of Al Habsi. The Omani international keeper pushed Shaun Williams’s free-kick around the post and produced a miraculous left-handed save to Dean Lewington’s goal bound drive.

Wigan were struggling to replicate their recent Championship form under Rösler and were relieved to go into the half time break only one goal behind.

During the second period the home team had further chances through on-loan Aston Villa youngster Samir Carruthers and Reeves fired over the cross-bar, before Williams had a deflected volley crash against the post.

On 60 minutes the Wigan manager made a double substitution that was to swing the tie in their favour. Emmerson Boyce replaced Perch and Nick Powell came on for Fyvie.

Almost immediately the two substitutes combined to set up McClean but from only six yards out the Irish international managed to mis-kick and then fall over and the chance was wasted.

Boyce was posing a threat as a progressive wing back and Powell was showing the kind of skill that can mesmerize defences.

The Latics equaliser came with 11 minutes remaining, when McCann’s excellent near post cross found Powell who produced a high quality right footed finish.

The FA Cup holders looked like they might seal victory in normal time, but they did score in the first minute of extra-time when Powell broke free of the Dons defence and then delicately chipped the ball over Martin.

Karl Robinson’s team continued to play good counter attacking football and create chances but with ten minutes of extra-time remaining Latics sealed their progress to the fourth round when Espinoza fed Fortune, who finished clinically from 10 yards out.

Posted in FA Cup, Luke Chadwick, Marc-Antoine Fortune, MK Dons, Nick Powell, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fortuné favours the brave – Wigan Athletic 3 AFC Bournemouth 0

Posted on January 11, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Marc-Antoine Fortune

Marc-Antoine Fortuné opened the scoring

Prior to the game Uwe Rösler said that the main focus of his team would be attacking and to have plenty of hunger and desire and the Wigan manager was true to his word as they produced a convincing 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.

Latics high tempo game was too much for the Cherries as they produced chance after chance in the opening minutes.

Marc-Antoine Fortuné opened the scoring after just five minutes, shooting high into the Cherries net from close range. But the Latics missed several golden opportunities to increase their lead before the interval.

It was not until the second half that Wigan consolidated their dominance when Eliott Ward deflected Fortuné’s 58th minute effort into his own net and Jordi Gomez added the third with a left-foot strike in the final minute.

Rösler made several changes to the team held by MK Dons in the FA Cup with Ben Watson, Chis McCann, Nick Powell and Marc Anotoine Fortune returning to the Latics starting line up with Jordi Gomez, Grant Holt, Roger Espinoza and James McClean dropping to the bench.

Wigan were quickly out of the blocks and were ahead after only five minutes when McCann’s cross was flicked on by Powell and Fortuné volleyed high into the net past Lee Camp.

Callum McManaman should have doubled the lead just four minutes later, when he was through on goal but his attempted chip over Camp was well saved by the keeper.

The chances continued when on 11 minutes a powerful run and cross from Fortuné found Powell who attempted to flick the ball towards goal but he was unable to make a proper contact and the chance went begging.

Wigan had further attempts by Powell, McManaman and McArthur, but the Cherries responded by testing Ali Al Habsi at the other end.

The Cherries best chance fell to Matt Ritchie midway through the first half, when cutting inside from the right he forced Al Habsi into a low save.

Wigan responded with James McArthur shooting wide, before McManaman and Powell both spurned chances.

It was a major surprise that there had not been more goals in the first period and that Wigan were not further ahead.

Bournemouth started the second period the better team and were just starting to put together some promising moves when in the 58th minute Latics somewhat fortuitously consolidated their lead. Fortuné’s scuffed effort from inside the area deflected off Elliott Ward and into the Bournemouth net.

To their credit the Cherries continued to play good counter attacking football and should have reduced the deficit but for some poor finishing and the heroics of Al-Habsi in the Wigan goal.

McCann had an opportunity to put the game to bed on 68 minutes when Jean Beausejour’s low cross found him six yards from goal and unmarked but the Irishman only managed to pass the ball back into the grateful hands of Camp.

Jordi Gomez secured the three points on 90 minutes when he produced an unstoppable shot from 30 yards.

The Wigan revival since Rösler took over as manager continues to gather momentum with another convincing victory. They are now unbeaten in six Championship games and have taken 14 points from a possible 18, the once remote possibility of the play-offs now looks like an achievable target.

Posted in Bournemouth, Elliott Ward, Jordi Gomez, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

FA Cup holders held in six goal thriller – Wigan Athletic 3 MK Dons 3

Posted on January 5, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Roger Espinoza

Roger Espinoza on target for the Latics

The FA Cup holders were held to a draw in an entertaining six goal thriller with League One MK Dons. Wigan started the game with five of the players who won the trophy in May and took an early two goal lead with strikes by Roger Espinoza and Jordi Gomez.

But MK Dons hit back just before half time with two goals by Ben Reeves to stun the home crowd.

Just after the interval, Shaun Williams had a great opportunity to cause an upset but Ali Al Habsi guessed correctly and dived to save his penalty.

Callum McManaman looked to have secured Wigan’s progress on 65 minutes with a well taken goal but in the dying minutes Patrick Bamford equalised as the Latics defence failed to clear a corner.

Wigan must now overcome the Dons at Stadium MK if they are to progress to a fourth round tie at home to Crystal Palace.

Uwe Rosler made four changes from the team that won 1-0 at Derby County, with Grant Holt, James McClean, McManaman and Gomez coming into the starting eleven.

Wigan made a great start with Roger Espinoza scoring his first goal of the season with a spectacular 30 yard strike on 18 minutes.

It was not long before the Latics were two ahead as Gomez rifled a low shot past David Martin in the Dons goal.

Wigan looked to be cruising into the fourth round, but the Dons continued to play their passing game despite the two goal deficit and were rewarded just before half time when Reeves struck twice to draw level.

Just on the 45 minute mark Reeves showed good technique as he placed his shot past Al Habsi and two minutes later the midfielder turned attacker scored again as the Wigan defenders backed off.

Matters could have got worse for Wigan just after the break when James McClean fouled substitute George Baldock inside the box, but Al Habsi produced an excellent stop to deny Williams’ penalty kick.

The home team were ahead seconds later as Espinoza fed McManaman who broke the offside trap before firing past Martin.

But the Dons did not give up and equalised with five minutes remaining when Latics failed to clear a corner and Bamford finished from close range.

Rosler’s men will have to show much more resolve in the replay if they are to progress to the fourth round. Wigan should have closed off the game when they were in control at 2-0, but credit should be given to the League One team for persisting with their passing game and showing the determination to fight back on two occasions.

Posted in Callum McManaman, FA Cup, Jordi Gomez, MK Dons, Patrick Bamford, Roger Espinoza, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Year’s Day Delight – Derby County 0 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on January 1, 2014 by ianhaspinall
Derby County v Wigan Athletic 01/01/14p

Latics on the attack at Pride Park

Wigan Athletic made it a great start to 2014 when they deservedly took all three points at Pride Park. Jean Beausejour scored his first goal of the season for the Latics with a spectacular drive and Derby were unable to capitalise on some late chances to equalise.

Latics were the dominant outfit in the first period with Nick Powell, Emmerson Boyce and James McArthur all going close to the target.

Following Beausejour’s goal in the 69th minute both Simon Dawkins and Chris Martin wasted opportunities for the Rams in a frantic final fifteen minutes.

Wigan now move up to 11th in the table and only three points off the play-offs and Derby’s unbeaten run of nine games comes to an end as they slip to fourth place.

Wigan made two changes from Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Burnley at the DW Stadium, with Beausejour and Roger Espinoza replacing Stephen Crainey and Jordi Gomez in the starting line up.

Latics adopted a more direct approach than in recent games, forgoing their normal passing style with greater use of the long ball. It was proving an effective tactic as they created several good goal scoring opportunities.

Powell fired wide from 15 yards and Boyce headed off-target before McArthur sent a dipping effort just over the crossbar.

Powell then appeared to be fouled in the area on 34 minutes but referee David Webb waved away appeals and booked the Wigan player for simulation.

Beausejour fired into the side-netting and Espinoza volleyed wide as the first half ended without a goal but with Wigan in the ascendancy.

The opening period of the second half was a scrappy affair as neither side could gain control of possession and create a significant opportunity.

Jean Beausejour

Jean Beausejour scored the winner

However in the 69th minute McManaman replaced Espinoza and with the winger’s first touch he set up Beausejour who fired an unstoppable shot past Lee Grant from 18 yards.

Derby pressed for an equaliser and Dawkins should have done better when he received a pass from substitute Conor Sammon but his shot deflected wide.

Will Hughes had a shot parried by Ali Al Habsi and Sammon was unable to capitalise on the rebound. But with five minutes remaining the Rams should have equalised when Martin reached Andre Wisdom’s cross, but he somehow contrived to miss the target.

Derby’s unbeaten nine game run under Steve McClaren comes to an end, but Uwe Rösler’s five game unbeaten run continues apace.

Rösler’s impact since taking over at the DW Stadium in early December has been dramatic. It is no coincidence that the former Brentford manager has produced a significant change in fortune for the Latics.

Tactics, organisation, team selections and team spirit have all improved since the German took the reins. With some prudent additions in the transfer window the team will soon be challenging near the top of the table.

Posted in Championship, Derby County, Jean Beausejour, Uwe Rösler, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Wigan lack the killer touch – Wigan Athletic 0 Burnley 0

Posted on December 30, 2013 by ianhaspinall
David Jones

Former Wiganer David Jones nearly scored for Burnley – Photo by Dan Farrimond

Wigan continue to make good progress under new manager Uwe Rosler but were held 0-0 at home to high riding Burnley on Sunday. The Latics dominated possession and created the majority of the chances but lacked the killer touch to take all three points.

Former Wigan midfielder David Jones nearly gave the Clarets the lead when his powerful strike was pushed on to the bar by Ali Al Habsi.

Wigan’s former Burnley midfielder Chris McCann also nearly got on the score sheet when he had a header cleared off the line.

Burnley remain amongst the Division’s early pacesetters, in third place, while Wigan remain unbeaten in four Championship games under Uwe Rosler.

Rosler made five changes from the 0-0 draw against Birmingham as Emmerson Boyce and Nick Powell returned from injury, with Stephen Crainey, Jordi Gomez and Marc-Antoine Fortune coming into the starting line-up.

Wigan started brightly and could have taken the lead early on. First when Leon Barnett connected with Stephen Crainey’s free-kick, but missed the target from a good position and then from a Crainey corner McCann’s goal bound header was cleared off the line by a Burnley defender.

However the Clarets looked like they had gone ahead just before the interval when Jones’s right-foot strike looked destined for the top corner but Al Habsi touched the ball onto the crossbar and in the resulting melee Leon Barnett managed to clear with Vokes about to pounce.

Wigan dominated the second period with only rare counter attacks from the Clarets, but they found clear-cut chances difficult to come by against a well-drilled Burnley back line.

Substitutes James McClean and Roger Espinoza replaced Fortune and Gomez. Rosler also gave former Brentford loan man Rob Kiernan his debut in a Latics’ shirt and the Republic of Ireland Under 21 international made a good impression in the final ten minutes.

Nick Powell probably had Wigan’s best chance to grab all three points in the 76th minute but he drove his angled effort into the side netting from about ten yards out.

Both managers seemed relatively pleased with the result in the post match analysis. As Wigan approach the half way mark in their season there are clear signs of improvement under the new manager. Rosler’s major concern will be the lack of a regular goalscorer, unless they can improve in this area they will find it hard to rise above mid table.

Latics biggest challenge so far this season is likely to come at high flying Derby County on New Year’s day.

Posted in Burnley, Championship, David Jones, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Wigan’s Boxing Day Blues – Wigan Athletic 0 Birmingham City 0

Posted on December 27, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard saw red for Birmingham

Wigan’s run of victories came to an end on Boxing Day when they were held 0-0 by a resolute Birmingham City, who had Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard sent off in the 60th minute.

Callum McManaman was denied by Darren Randolph in the Birmingham goal and the home team had three penalty appeals turned down by referee Stephen Martin.

Despite Lingard’s straight red card for a stamp on Jordi Gomez, the Latics could not penetrate a well-drilled City back line.

Uwe Rosler’s team selection options were limited due to a number of injuries and a suspension. Ivan Ramis returned to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Ben Watson and Grant Holt came in as a replacement for the injured Nick Powell.

Latics started hesitantly and showed little of their recent first half vigour under Rosler. Birmingham’s tall striker Nikola Zigic had a header saved by Ali Al-Habsi before Chris Burke wasted a great opportunity to get onto the score sheet.

Wigan responded with McManaman testing Randolph from distance and the Blues keeper doing well to push the ball away for a corner.

Wigan were not producing the flowing football of previous weeks with Nick Powell’s absence being particularly noticeable. But they did have a good shout for a penalty turned down when James McClean appeared to climbed on in the area by a Birmingham defender.

Birmingham were well organised and determined to continue their unbeaten run, but all their good work could have been undone early in the second half when Lingard was sent off for a petulant stamp on Gomez.

The Blues would have to defend the final 30 minutes with only ten men and it was no surprise that they were no longer an attacking threat. Wigan pressed forward trying to tease the opportunity that would unlock the two banks of defenders.

Substitute Gomez and wing back Jean Beausejour were both prominent but despite a series of tantalising crosses the forwards were unable to get the final touch.

In the final minutes Latics had two further penalty appeals turned down by the referee.

The first came when the keeper Randolph and his centre back Dan Burn collided while trying to clear the ball.

The ball fell to Holt who appeared to be pushed to the ground by Randolph but nothing was given.

The second claim came in the final minute of the game when a high ball was played into the air towards Beausejour, who claimed to be pulled down but the referee once again waved away the appeal.

Overall a draw was probably a fair result as Wigan had not performed at their best and Birmingham had defended well despite going down to ten men.

Latics slip down a place to 13th in the table and are now five points off the Championship play-off places but with a game in hand.

Posted in Birmingham City, Championship, Jesse Lingard, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Rösler’s men on the rise – Reading 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on December 22, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Madejski Stadium

Reading’s Madejski Stadium

Wigan moved up to 12th in the Championship table with a hard-fought win at play-off rivals Reading. Uwe Rösler’s team dominated the opening half and were two ahead in the opening 12 minutes.

Chris McCann side footed home from the edge of the area on 10 minutes after good work by James McClean and the Latics doubled their lead when Nick Powell finished well after a mistake by Reading defender Alex Pearce had gifted the opportunity.

Billy Sharp wasted a great opportunity to get Reading back into the game when he skied his penalty over the Wigan cross-bar.

Russian forward Pavel Pogrebnyak reduced the deficit for the Royals with a powerful header past the returning Ali Al-Habsi.

But Wigan held on to record a second consecutive victory with Uwe Rösler in charge.

The Wigan manager made three changes to the side that started the abandoned game at Sheffield Wednesday. The Omani international goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi returning to the starting line-up for the first time since last season when he replaced the injured Scott Carson. Jean Beausejour and Callum McManaman were also recalled as Stephen Crainey and Jordi Gomez moved to the substitutes’ bench.

As in the previous games under Rosler, the team started in positive mood and gradually gained control of the game. After only ten minutes McClean’s attempted cross was blocked, but McCann collected the ball on the edge of the area and calmly side footed past Alex McCarthy in the Royal’s goal.

Two minutes later Latics were two ahead, when defender Pearce allowed a hopeful punt up field to evade him and Powell nipped in to beat McCarthy with a low drive.

Reading were all at sea and it looked like Wigan would increase their lead further but a combination of some poor finishing and a little bad luck meant there was no further score at half time.

Will Keane and Jordi Gomez surprisingly replaced the dangerous pair of Callum McManaman and Nick Powell at half time.

Reading responded to their half time team talk with a much improved performance in the second period.

Early in the half the Royals had a great opportunity to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty. McCann stupidly pulled down Chris Gunter in the penalty area, but Billy Sharp blazed his spot kick high over the cross-bar.

Pogrebnyak made the Wigan fans a little nervous on 68 minutes when he powerfully headed past Al Habsi.

Chances started to come at both ends. Substitute Keane showed excellent skill to evade the Royals defence but he dragged his shot wide of goal and McCann burst through late on but fired over.

Danny Guthrie went close from a free-kick, Pogrebnyak narrowly failed to reach an Adam Le Fondre cross and the big Russian was also denied by the post.

Wigan deserved to take the three points after the dominant first period but Sharp and Reading will rue the missed penalty. Latics continue to show improvement under the new manager and they will be hoping to consolidate their progress with home games coming up against Birmingham City and Burnley.

Posted in Chris McCann, Nick Powell, Pavel Pogrebnyak, Reading, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Derby day delight for the Latics – Wigan Athletic 3 Bolton Wanderers 2

Posted on December 15, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Callum McManaman

Man of the Match – Callum McManaman

Wigan edged out local rivals Bolton in an exciting end-to-end encounter at the DW Stadium on Sunday. Latics took control with a Ben Watson penalty after Matt Mills handled the ball in the area and Nick Powell doubled the lead with a superb overhead kick.

Wanderers staged a second half fight back and drew level following a Neil Danns’ header and Andre Moritz’s penalty.

But Man of the Match Callum McMamanan drove home the winner to secure Latics first win in seven games and the first under new manager Uwe Rösler.

Latics made four changes to the team that were knocked out of the Europa League at NK Maribor on Thursday night, with Grant Holt, Emmerson Boyce, Ben Watson and Ivan Ramis returning to the starting eleven.

Rösler’s new charges started strongly and pushed Wanderers back with a high tempo pressing game. McManaman in particular was posing a constant threat down the right hand side, often eluding his marker and getting in some dangerous crosses.

Wigan were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute when Grant Holt got on the end of Watson’s cross and Mills foolishly raised his hand and diverted the ball away from goal.

Referee Kevin Friend initially ignored Wigan’s appeals but then changed his mind on the advice of his assistant. Manager Rösler was too nervous to watch and turned away from the pitch, but thankfully Watson lashed the spot kick high into the top corner of the Wanderers net.

On 24 minutes Latics were two up following a superb piece of skill by Nick Powell. Chris McCann’s shot ballooned in the air and the loanee striker connected with an acrobatic bicycle kick which looped into the top corner of Andy Lonergan’s goal.

Wigan were good value for their half time lead and the new manager was visibly pleased with the opening 45 minutes work.

Bolton must have been given a rousing half time team talk by manager Dougie Freeman and pulled a goal back after only four minutes of the restart.

Scott Carson made a full length save from Moritz’s free-kick but the Brazilian midfielder put the ball back in where Danns was allowed enough space to head past the Wigan keeper.

The away team drew level in the 64th minute when they were awarded a penalty following what looked like an innocuous collision between Boyce and Lee Chung-yong. The South Korean went down holding his face but despite Boyce’s complaints the spot kick was awarded with Moritz taking the opportunity to score.

But just when it was looking like Latics might succumb to the Wanderers onslaught, McManaman slotted home from just inside the area following Boyce’s pass.

As the game progressed Wigan were noticeably tiring and it still looked like Bolton might deny them all three points but Joe Mason wasted an opportunity after good work by the impressive Moritz.

Rösler will be relieved to get his first win in charge and pleased that he’s been able to quickly get his ideas across to the players. The busy Christmas period is nearly upon us, so fitness levels and good squad rotation will be a critical factor. There is still plenty that requires improvement, but the signs are now looking very promising.

Posted in Ben Watson, Bolton Wanderers, Callum McManaman, Neil Danns, Nick Powell, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wigan are out of luck and out of Europe – NK Maribor 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on December 12, 2013 by ianhaspinall
NK Maribor Stadium

Panorama picture of the Ljudski vrt stadium in Maribor

Despite a much improved performance with Uwe Rösler in charge, Wigan crashed out of the Europa League 2-1 to NK Maribor who have qualified for the last 32 of the competition.

In a match marred by poor officiating Latics had taken the lead though a Jordi Gomez penalty after Nick Powell had been fouled in the area.

Maribor were soon awarded a penalty at the other end for an unfortunate handball by Chris McCann and the midfielder was harshly sent off for his second yellow card.

Dejan Mezga’s penalty was tipped against the post by Scott Carson but the midfielder followed up to score from the rebound.

Up until that point Latics had been the better team but the decision turned the match in the Slovenians favour.

In the second half Zalijko Filipovic spectacularly scored from 30 yards to give the home team the lead, but they went down to ten men on 73 minutes when Ales Mertelj was given a second yellow.

As news came though that Zulte Waregem were losing to Rubin Kazan and the winners of the game would qualify for the next round, Latics pushed for the equaliser but they found the Maribor keeper Jasmin Handanovic in top form.

The Slovenian’s hung onto their lead and despite having been bottom of Group D going into the fixture, they qualified in second place behind Rubin Kazan.

New manager Uwe Rosler made six changes to the team defeated at the weekend by Millwall bringing in Roger Espinoza, Jean Beausejour, Jordi Gomez, Callum McManaman, Thomas Rogne and James Perch.

In an unfamiliar green kit Latics started confidently, pushing back the home team and having the majority of possession.

Powell nearly got on the score sheet with a dipping half-volley from 25-yards just over the angle of post and crossbar, and soon after Gomez curled a free-kick over the defensive wall and against the post.

Cheered on by over 1,000 travelling fans the Latics were the dominant outfit in the first period and it looked only a matter of time before they would take the lead.

The goal came on 37 minutes from the penalty spot, when Gomez converted after Nick Powell was brought down in the box by Maribor defender Arghus.

Jordi Gomez

Jordi Gomez converted the penalty

But almost immediately Maribor were given an opportunity to draw level when McCann was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box when attempting to block a shot and the midfielder was harshly shown a second yellow card.

Mezga’s penalty was pushed onto the post by Wigan keeper Carson, but the Croatian midfielder pounced to tap in the loose ball.

The Latics went into the half time break stunned that they were not ahead and now reduced to ten men.

Ben Watson replaced McManaman at the interval but despite being a man down Wigan started the second period positively and showed a big improvement on recent performances. Powell went close with a near post effort from a fine Beausejour cross.

But just when it looked like Wigan were in the ascendancy Maribor grabbed the lead when Filipovic produced a wonder strike from 30 yards which flew into the top corner of Carson’s goal.

Wigan responded well with Watson testing Handanovic from 20 yards after good work by Espinoza. But Maribor had chances and could have increased their lead when Damjan Bohar had a one-on-one with Carson, inexplicably missing the target when it looked easier to score.

Referee Szymon Marciniak was having a poor game and he decided to level up the number of players on each team on 74 minutes when Maribor’s Mertelj was shown a second yellow for a foul on Gomez.

Wigan continued to press and substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune looked to have equalised in the 89th minute but Handanovic produced another top class save to deny him.

Even in injury time Latics might have drawn level but substitute Emmerson Boyce’s goal bound effort was blocked by a Maribor defender.

On the night Wigan’s performance was much improved and on another occasion they would have secured the three points to qualify. But a combination of bad luck and poor officiating had contributed to the defeat. McCann’s sending off was probably the turning point in the game.

Posted in Dejan Mezga, Europa League, Jordi Gomez, NK Maribor, Wigan Athletic, Zalijko Filipovic | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Too little too late for the Latics – Millwall 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on December 8, 2013 by ianhaspinall
James McArthur Wigan Athletic

A late James McArthur goal wasn’t enough for Wigan

A late bout of pressure wasn’t enough to give Wigan a share of the points at the Den. Millwall took an early lead when Steve Morison’s shot was deflected in via Ivan Ramis.

Jermaine Easter doubled Millwall’s lead in the 82nd minute before James McArthur   pulled a goal back with a low left foot strike from outside the area.

Late on Callum McManaman may have had a penalty when his shot was blocked in the area and Leon Barnett’s header was kept out by a combination of the Millwall keeper Forde and the crossbar.

Millwall hung on for all three points and Latics were left too rue the fact that they hadn’t done enough over the 94 minutes to get a result.

Caretaker manager Graham Barrow made three changes from the midweek defeat to Leeds with Perch, Beausejour, Keane being replaced by Crainey, McClean and Holt.

Millwall started on the front foot and in the first minute they could have had a penalty when Stephen Crainey appeared to pull down Liam Feeney.

But the Lions did score in the third minute when Latics failed to clear a corner and Morison’s shot was deflected in off Ramis.

Wigan tried to get a foothold in the game but the Millwall keeper David Forde was in fine form, twice denying James McClean and when it looked as though Emmerson Boyce had finally beaten Forde his goalbound effort was deflected over the crossbar.

The Lions nearly doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Martyn Woolford jinked his way into the Wigan penalty area but his shot crashed against the post.

The second half started scrappily, with Grant Holt shooting tamely at Forde while at the other end Morison slipped when about to shoot.

On 58 minutes, Waghorn’s free kick from the right hand side was spilled by Carson but the keeper managed to catch the ball on the second attempt before a Millwall player could reach it.

Ben Watson shot wide from the edge of the box after Liam Trotter had deflected a cross into his path.

Wigan started to gain the ascendancy with substitute McManaman prominent, Holt twice nearly getting on the end of crosses.

But it was the Lions who got the crucial second goal in the 82nd minute, following a Wigan throw Trotter’s long ball found Easter who slotted past Carson.

A minute later Wigan pulled a goal back when McArthur’s low shot from the edge of the area evaded everyone including the Millwall keeper.

Latics pressed for the equaliser and created several good opportunities, first with McManaman claiming for a handball before getting away a shot at close range, then being denied by the post.

Leon Barnett thought he’d equalised in injury time but his header was forced over by a combination of Forde’s fingertips and the cross-bar.

Wigan’s new manager Uwe Rösler, who was watching from the stands, must quickly stabilise the team’s results after their fifth consecutive defeat. The players are better than current results suggest but unless performances improve the play offs will soon become an unrealistic target.

Posted in James McArthur, Jermaine Easter, Millwall, Steve Morison, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment