Wigan’s Europa hopes hit by late sucker punch – Wigan Athletic 1 SV Zulte Waregem 2

Posted on November 29, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Junior Malanda

Junior Malanda grabbed a late winner for Zulte Waregem

Wigan’s hopes of qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League were dealt a severe blow when they went down 2-1 at home to SV Zulte Waregem. A late Junior Malanda strike sealing the three points for the Belgians who are now in prime position to finish in second place in Group D.

Wigan had taken an early lead through a Leon Barnett volley but Zulte equalised after a mistake by young Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls allowed Thorgan Hazard to score on 37 minutes.

Wigan had been on top for long periods and created many opportunities to increase their lead but as the game ticked towards the final whistle Zulte produced a slick counter attack and Malanda swept home from the edge of the area to give the Belgians the vital three points in their quest for qualification.

Manager Owen Coyle once again decided to rotate his squad with five changes from the team defeated by Brighton at the weekend.  Nick Powell was the designated central striker with James McClean and Callum McManaman the wide men. Both Grant Holt and Marc-Antoine Fortune had to settle for places on the bench.

Wigan started much the brighter of the two outfits and could have scored when Emmerson Boyce narrowly failed to make contact with Jordi Gomez’s chipped free kick.

But they did take the lead on seven minutes when Gomez’s shot from McManaman’s cross fell to Barnett who finished with some aplomb from the edge of the area.

Latics continued to press and it was looking likely that they would add to their lead when both James McArthur and James McClean forced saves from the Zulte keeper Sammy Bossut.

But against the run of play Zulte drew level following a series of Wigan mistakes. As Wigan were pressing up the field James McArthur received the ball in the visitors half but instead of playing the ball forward he inexplicably lofted the ball back towards his own goal and set up a Zulte break away.

The Wigan defence managed to slow the attack but just as it looked like the danger had passed Thorgan Hazard was allowed to fire in a shot which Nicholls somehow contrived to slip between his fingers and into the net.

Latics went into the half time break disappointed that they had not made their dominance count and they had let the Belgians back into a game which should have been out of their reach.

The second period was to be a more open encounter with chances at either end. Wigan continued to create some good opportunities but the Belgians were always comfortable in possession and looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Hazard had a couple of efforts for Zulte and Nick Powell was proving to be Wigan’s most effective attacker.

McArthur saw his low shot from the edge of the penalty area skim the upright but it was the visitors who got the all important final goal.

The powerful central midfielder Malanda was given too much space by Chris McCann and he made no mistake with his shot which sent the Zulte bench and travelling supporters into delirium.

Wigan can still qualify but they must now beat Maribor in Slovenia in their final group game and hope that Rubin Kazan, who have already qualified as pool winners, beat Zulte in Belgium.

Posted in Junior Malanda, Leon Barnett, SV Zulte Waregem, Thorgan Hazard, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Wigan suffer first home defeat – Wigan Athletic 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 1

Posted on November 24, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Badge                  Brighton_&_Hove_Albion badge

Wigan’s unbeaten home record came to a freezing halt at the DW Stadium as Brighton won 1-0. Andrew Crofts secured the victory for the visitors with a header on 72 minutes after Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls had initially brilliantly saved Jake Forster-Caskey’s header.

The Seagulls deserved their victory after imposing their passing game on a misfiring Latics. The away side dominated possession for long periods and created several clear-cut chances. Wigan did have opportunities, particularly when substitute Grant Holt had a one-on-one with Brighton keeper Tomasz Kuzsczak, but the striker uncharacteristically missed the target.

Wigan manager Owen Coyle had retained the same line-up from the victory at Yeovil with Aston Villa loanee Marc Albrighton making his full home debut. Brighton had several players returning to the squad with midfielders Andrea Orlandi, Kemy Agustien and Liam Bridcutt all appearing on the substitutes bench.

In freezing conditions Wigan had the first sight of goal when Leon Barnett met Ben Watson’s s corner at the near post but his shot went wide.

Brighton keeper Kuzsczak was soon called into the action, first to deny Chris McCann’s header and then saving from Emmerson Boyce’s long-range effort.

However, it wasn’t one way traffic and the Seagulls nearly took the lead on eight minutes when right-back Bruno Saltor volley was well saved by Nicholls.

Ben Watson was then unlucky not to give the home team an 11th-minute lead after completing a neat one-two with Marc-Antoine Fortune and blasting a shot just wide of goal.

Manchester United loanee Nick Powell then produced a sublime piece of skill to evade his marker but his driven shot was comfortably saved by Kuszczak.

Powell was proving to be a major threat and he nearly gave Wigan the lead just before half time when he produced an excellent long-range effort inches wide of the Brighton goal.

Wigan had probably had the better of the first half chances, but the away team were dominating possession and always looked a threat on the counter attack.

Immediately after the break, Oscar Garcia’s team nearly took the lead when an unmarked Forster-Caskey headed straight at Nicholls.

Callum McManaman was having a relatively quiet game but he produced a powerful long-range effort on 52 minutes that Kuszczak did well to save.

Coyle replaced Fortune with Holt on 60 minutes. The big striker struggled to get into the game until he shook off Gordon Greer to go one-on-one with Kuszczak but he put his effort agonizingly wide of the goal.

Soon afterwards the Seagulls capitalised on Holt’s miss as they took the lead. The excellent Latics keeper Lee Nicholls had made a top drawer save from Forster-Caskey’s header but Crofts was on hand to head home.

Craig Conway nearly doubled Brighton’s lead after unleashing a stinging shot which Nicholls did well to save.

Wigan desperately pushed forward in search of the equaliser and it looked as though they had secured a point in the 90th minute when substitute James McClean’s cross was met by Holt’s powerful header but Kuszczak’s full length diving save denied the former Norwich striker.

Tomasz Kuszczak Brighton

Tomasz Kuszczak came to Brighton’s rescue

Brighton can be pleased with their away day and will be confident in the knowledge that with key players coming back to fitness they should be in the promotion mix at the end of the season.

Latics will be very disappointed to have surrendered their unbeaten home record but they will be hoping to make a quick return to winning ways on Thursday night in the Europa League against Zulte Waregem and thereby qualify for the round of 32.

Posted in Andrew Crofts, Brighton & Hove Albion, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

No ‘Glad All Over’ for Yeovil as Wigan win away from home – Yeovil Town 0 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on November 10, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Yeovil Town versus Wigan Athletic

Yeovil Town versus Wigan Athletic

Wigan’s first away win in nine league and cup games gave them an important three points at Huish Park.

Marc-Antoine Fortune’s first goal of the season moved the Latics to within two points of the play-off zone with a game in hand, while Yeovil remain two points adrift at the bottom of the table.

The striker scored at the back post after being set up by substitute Grant Holt from close range on 78 minutes, having seen two earlier efforts cleared off the line.

Owen Coyle continued his squad rotation policy with six changes to the team that faced Rubin Kazan in the Europa Cup, with Nick Powell, Emmerson Boyce, Chris McCann, Ben Watson, Marc Albrighton and Marc-Antoine Fortune coming in.

Yeovil manager Gary Johnson made three changes to the line up that started the last game at Leeds. Ed Upson was suspended and both Sam Hoskins and Liam Davis dropped to the bench. Replacing them were Paddy Madden, Sam Foley and Luke Ayling. Fraser Fyvie was unavailable to face his parent club.

Wigan started hesitantly and it was the Glovers who looked most likely to score in the opening exchanges.

Lee Nicholls was forced into a good save on 21 minutes, tipping Joe Edwards’ 20-yard strike over the bar. Soon afterwards Madden wasted a good opportunity when he blasted high and wide after being put through on goal.

For long periods of the game the Championship newcomers looked capable of causing an upset. But despite a brave battling performance the Glovers were unable to celebrate a goal with their famous goal music ‘Glad All Over’ by the Dave Clark Five.

They are now the lowest scorers in the Football League with just nine goals and their inability to take their chances is likely to be their downfall.

Latics had struggled to put together a consistent passage of play until just before half time when Nick Powell saw a close-range shot cleared off the line and Callum McManaman and Fortune both had shots blocked.

Loanee winger Marc Albrighton then produced a stunning drive from 25 yards and despite beating keeper Wayne Hennessey the ball hit the crossbar, much to the relief of the home fans.

Wigan were much better in the second period with Albrighton proving a constant threat down the right hand side.

Wigan on the attack

Wigan on the attack

The Yeovil goal was leading a charmed life as Fortune again went close and a Ryan Shotton header was desperately cleared away.

Substitute Striker Holt made an instant impact on 78 minutes when his run and cross set up Fortune who finished from close range at the back post. The Yeovil players appealed for hand ball against Holt and TV replays suggest that they may have a case.

Powell could have made the result more emphatic in the dying seconds but he made a poor pass to substitute James McArthur and the opportunity was wasted.

Wigan’s performances have been far from convincing, but they continue to pick up the points which keeps them in contention for the play offs.

Coyle’s squad rotation system can prove problematic and like today many of the first half performances have been indifferent, but the victory has ended Wigan’s away day hoodoo and it is the first time they have won back-to-back Championship matches all season.

Posted in Championship, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Wigan Athletic, Yeovil Town | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Latics lose in Russia – Rubin Kazan 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on November 7, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Rubin Kazan v Wigan Athletic

Rubin Kazan v Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic experienced their first Europa Cup defeat when they were edged out 1-0 by Group D leaders Rubin Kazan.

A defensive lapse allowed Rubin full back Oleg Kuzmin to score in the 20th minute but Wigan might have levelled when Thomas Rogne hit the crossbar and James McClean flicked a corner narrowly wide.

The result leaves Wigan still in second place in the group with games against Zulte Waregem (H) and NK Marbor (A) still to come.

Manager Owen Coyle made six changes to the starting eleven from Saturday with James Perch playing an unusual role just in front of the back four. The Latics were without Jean Beausejour due to a foot injury, Ben Watson failed a fitness test and Scott Carson has an ankle problem, so Lee Nicholls was making his European debut in the goal.

James McArthur took over as Captain with Grant Holt starting upfront and McClean and Callum McManaman as the wide men.

Rubin had not lost a European home game in Kazan in 22 matches since going down 1-0 to Parma FC in the first round of the 2006/07 UEFA Cup. But they were still without top striker José Rondón who has been out since late September, after breaking a bone in his foot.

The game started in untidy fashion with neither side able to settle on the ball, but Wigan had the first opportunity on 11 minutes when McClean’s cross was well saved by Rubin keeper Ryzhikov with Holt ready to pounce at the back post.

The home team should have gone ahead on 14 minutes. Wigan gave the ball away on the edge of their own area and the ball was pulled back into the path of three Rubin attackers but none could make the vital contact.

Rubin did take the lead on 20 minutes when full back Oleg Kuzmin was allowed plenty of freedom by McClean and Stephen Crainey to run onto a hopeful pass and comfortably finish low to Nicholls right.

Latics were struggling to get a foothold in the game and Rubin were dominating possession for long periods. But Holt had an opportunity on 26 minutes when a long ball by Roger Espinoza found the former Norwich man in a good position but he headed over the crossbar.

The Russians slicker passing and better movement was noticeable and they looked likely to add to their lead. Wigan in contrast relied on the long ball and rarely threatened the Rubin goal.

Despite the poor first half showing Coyle did not make any changes at half time.

Wigan’s main goal threat now seemed to come from Ryan Shotton’s long throw. The defender currently on loan from Stoke City is not quite in the Rory Delap class, but his aerial bombs were proving a problem for the Rubin defence.

The Rubin keeper was lucky to get away with a free kick when Shotton’s long throw into the box deceived him and Leon Barnett sent the ball against the bar, but the flag was up from the referee’s assistant.

Nick Powell replaced Perch on the hour mark and he almost scored the equaliser when his long-range effort grazed the post.

Soon afterwards Marc-Antoine Fortune, on for the ineffective Holt, fired into the side netting from a decent position.

The home team were now sitting back and hoping the 1-0 scoreline would be enough. Wigan could have taken a vital point when Espinoza’s cross found Rogne, but his header came off the bar before McClean’s late flick from Crainey’s corner went agonizingly close.

Despite lacking some of the style and quality of their Russian opponents Latics probably deserved to take a point. Rubin Kazan now qualify for the Round of 32 and Wigan will need to take at least three points from their remaining two group games if they are to join them.

Posted in Europa League, Oleg Kuzmin, Rubin Kazan, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Latics tame Terriers – Wigan Athletic 2 Huddersfield Town 1

Posted on November 2, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Goalscorer Nick Powell

Man of the match Nick Powell

Wigan maintained their unbeaten home record with an important victory over Huddersfield Town. Goals from Leon Barnett and Nick Powell enabled the Latics to move up to 10th in the Championship table, with a game in hand on most of their rivals.

Wigan took the lead in the 21st minute when Ben Watson’s corner was headed home by Barnett.

The Terriers equalised just before half-time when Oliver Norwood’s shot deflected in off Ryan Shotton.

But early in the second half the home team restored their lead after some sloppy defending by Town enabled Jordi Gomez to feed Powell who fired home the crucial goal.

Owen Coyle continues to shuffle his starting line ups and made two changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday as Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced Grant Holt and Ben Watson came in for James McArthur.

Town were in buoyant mood after a confidence boosting win over local rivals Leeds United, but leading goalscorer James Vaughan had to sit out the game due to suspension.

Wigan started more positively than in recent fixtures and could have scored on two minutes when Marc-Antoine Fortune blasted over the crossbar after good work by Powell.

On loan striker Powell missed another decent opportunity before the improving Chris McCann saw a long range effort tipped over by Smithies.

But Wigan took the lead from the resulting corner as Watson’s cross was headed home by centre back Barnett.

Keith Southern might have equalised for the Terriers soon afterwards when his deflected shot flew past Lee Nicholls post, but they did equalise just before half-time when Norwood’s shot deflected off Shotton into the Wigan net.

Coyle’s half time team talk must have roused his troops and Latics started the second period the stronger, with Fortune hitting the post in the opening two minutes.

They kept up their pressure and in the 50th minutes Powell put his side in front. The on-loan Manchester United man making the most of an opportunity gifted when Clarke’s pass was initially blocked by Jordi Gomez.

The next part of the second period was perhaps most notable for Adam Hammill’s embrassing temper tantrums when substituted by Sean Scannell. The former Wolves winger’s antics clearly upset manager Mark Robins who will no doubt fine the player for his childish behaviour.

Substitute Scannell made an instant impact and crossed the ball for Danny Ward who brought an excellent save from the young keeper Nicholls.

Aston Villa loanee Marc Albrighton replaced Jordi Gomez and later Marc-Antoine   Fortune was replaced by Grant Holt and James McClean took over from Callum McManaman.

But Nick Powell remained the game’s best player, the 19 year old showed great quality and commitment in his man of the match performance. The former Crewe Alexandra player has now scored five goals in all competitions and looks likely to go onto score many more for Wigan in the future.

It was hard won victory against a side who should finish comfortably in mid table. The three points takes Latics within striking distance of the play off places, but they now have to move onto the Europa Cup and Rubin Kazan on Thursday night. A point in Russia would put the team in a good position to qualify for the Round of 32.

Posted in Championship, Huddersfield Town, Leon Barnett, Nick Powell, Oliver Norwood, Ryan Shotton, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics held by ‘Arry’s boys – Wigan Athletic 0 Queens Park Rangers 0

Posted on October 31, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Wigan BadgeQPR_Badge

Wigan and QPR produced a scrappy 0-0 encounter at the DW Stadium last night with neither team displaying sufficient quality to deserve all three points.

Charlie Austin had the best opportunity to give Harry Redknapp’s expensively assembled outfit the lead but could only hit his effort into the side netting. Chris McCann had the best chance of the game for Latics, but saw his header come back off the post and Callum McManaman fired the rebound high over the crossbar.

The result moves Wigan up to 13th in the Championship table with a game in hand on most other teams. QPR meanwhile remain in third position and four points behind league leaders Burnley.

Owen Coyle continues to shuffle his pack and made three changes to his last line up away at Charlton, with Ryan Shotton, Jordi Gomez and McManaman stepping in for Thomas Rogne, James McClean and Ben Watson. Reserve keeper Lee Nicholls made his home Championship debut in place of the injured Scott Carson.

Joey Barton was a significant absentee due to suspension from the Rangers team which still has big name players throughout their squad.

As with many of their recent performances Wigan started the game slowly and it was the visitors who controlled the opening exchanges with Niko Kranjcar firing over the crossbar and Junior Hoillett shooting wide of Nicholls goal.

However, Nick Powell was once again proving to be Latics most dangerous attacker and his shot from long-range stung the hands of Robert Green.

Rangers continued to dominate possession and nearly took the lead on the stroke of half time when Alejandro Faurlin found Austin in a good position but the former Burnley man could only hit the side netting.

Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced the ineffective Grant Holt at half time and the substitute quickly brought a good save from Green. Wigan were now having more of the game and had their best chance to score when McCann headed against the post from a good position and McManaman struck the rebound high over Rangers crossbar.

Substitute Andy Johnson was introduced late on and the striker was involved in a one-on-one collision with Nicholls, but despite Rangers players appeals for a free kick referee Michael Naylor waved play on.

Wigan’s appeals suffered a similar fate in injury time when last man Richard Dunne appeared to foul Nick Powell and both teams had to settle for a point.

Posted in Harry Redknapp, Lee Nicholls, QPR, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Stalemate at the Valley – Charlton Athletic 0 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on October 27, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Charlton Athletic - The Valley

Stalemate at Charlton

The Addicks and the Latics fought out an entertaining goalless draw at the Valley – but a draw will be of little satisfaction to either team. Wigan have moved up to 14th in the Championship table but have not won away from home in eight games and desperately need to show more quality if they are to make a challenge for the play-offs. Charlton meanwhile are now unbeaten in four games, but are in 19th position precariously just above the relegation places.

Owen Coyle continues to shuffle his starting line ups with Perch, Rogne, McClean and McArthur coming in. But the manager was forced into a late change when keeper Scott Carson injured an ankle in the warm-up and substitute keeper Lee Nicholls had to step in.

Charlton had the better of the first half as Wigan looked out of sorts after their mid-week Europa Cup exploits against Rubin Kazan. The 21-year-old Nicholls had a steady game and pulled off several good saves to deny the home team.

Bradley Pritchard was twice denied by Nicholls before he missed a great opportunity on the half-hour. Cameron Stewart made his way to the byeline and pulled the ball back for Pritchard, who had a free shot from the penalty spot but sent it high over the crossbar.

Both teams lacked real quality on the ball and resorted to a succession of long balls which often ended in a loss of possession.

Latics lacklustre first half meant they rarely threatened the Addicks goal, apart from a header from Grant Holt which went straight at Ben Hamer.

The Wigan players will no doubt have received some strong words at half time from Coyle and they were much improved in the second period.

Early on Chris McCann’s near post header crashed against the crossbar and bounced to safety. Hamer then saved from Leon Barnett and Emmerson Boyce volleyed narrowly wide from a Watson corner.

James McArthur and Callum McManaman fired over from the edge of the box, Watson shot wide from a good position and Holt’s goal-bound effort was blocked by Wood as Charlton hung on for a point.

Posted in Championship, Charlton Athletic, Lee Nicholls, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Nick Powell strike keeps Wigan’s Europa campaign on track – Wigan Athletic 1 Rubin Kazan 1

Posted on October 24, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Nick Powell produced a stunning strike

Nick Powell produced a stunning strike

Wigan Athletic’s Europa League campaign remains on course after they drew 1-1 with Group D leaders Rubin Kazan at the DW Stadium.

The experienced Russian visitors took an early lead through Aleksandr Prudnikov’s clinical low finish. But Wigan responded with a stunning strike from 20 yards by Manchester United loanee Nick Powell.

Substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune had two late chances to seal the three points but was twice denied by the Rubin keeper Sergei Ryzhikov.

Despite Rubin convincingly winning their first two group games, Wigan manager Owen Coyle took a gamble in resting six players from the previous starting line up. Chris McCann, Stephen Crainey, Jean Beausejour, Grant Holt and Ryan Shotton came in as James McClean, James McArthur, Callum McManaman and James Perch moved to the subs bench and Thomas Rogne wasn’t included.

It was a risky strategy by Coyle which nearly didn’t pay off as the team looked disjointed and lacking a cutting edge in the opening half. In fact it was the visitors who scored with their first real attack on 15 minutes. Chris Mavinga’s inviting ball caught the Wigan defence cold and the former Spartak Moscow forward Prudnikov clinically finished past Scott Carson.

It should have been a wake up call to Latics, but they continued to struggle to find any continuity and rarely threatened the Rubin goal until Nick Powell struck five minutes before the interval. The 19-year-old scored his third goal in the Europa Cup when he fired a superb effort into the bottom corner of the Rubin net. It was a turning point in the game, as Wigan now had a foothold which they had barely deserved.

They were much improved in the second period, although chances were at a premium for both sides. Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced Grant Holt and Callum McManaman took over from Jordi Gomez as the home side pressed.

Substitute Fortune had two excellent opportunities to take all three points but after evading several Rubin defenders and creating a space for himself he shot tamely at Ryzhikov and in the dying minutes the goalkeeper produced an incredible reflex save to deny the striker.

Owen Coyle will be relieved that his team had come through their toughest Europa League test so far. Rubin Kazan are favourites to win the group and Wigan will be pleased to have taken a point from a side which reached the quarter-finals last season.

Wigan are now handily positioned in second place with three matches remaining, Rubin (A) Zulte-Waregem (H) and Maribor (A). Three points from these remaining fixtures could prove sufficient for the team to progress to the round of 32.

Posted in Aleksandr Prudnikov, Europa League, Nick Powell, Rubin Kazan, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bad day at the seaside – Blackpool 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on October 20, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Kick Off at Bloomfield Road

Kick Off at Bloomfield Road

A first half penalty converted by Tom Ince was the difference between the two sides at Bloomfield Road. Scott Carson conceded the penalty after he brought down Dan Gosling following a speculative through ball that had evaded the Wigan defence.

Latics day got worse in the dying minutes as James McClean was dismissed for retaliation after being stamped on by Gary Mackenzie.

Wigan had chances to equalise and hit the bar on two occasions but Blackpool could have increased the lead in the latter stages as Wigan desperately pushed forward.

Owen Coyle once again changed his starting line up with Emmerson Boyce and Callum McManaman coming in for Jean Beausejour and Ryan Shotton. Surprisingly he left fit again strikers Grant Holt and Marc Antoine Fortune on the bench with Nick Powell starting as the lone striker.

Blackpool manager Paul Ince was banned from the stadium for five games after threatening to knock out an official after their game at Bournemouth in September.

Despite the manager’s absence and not having won for five games Blackpool were combative and organised from the off and Wigan started tentatively.

Clear cut chances were rare in the first half but Wigan’s Powell headed wide from close range following a free kick and Tom Ince volleyed high and wide from a good position before the Tangerines took the lead in the 24th minute.

A speculative pass from Neal Bishop set Dan Gosling free inside the box and the on-loan midfielder was tripped by Carson. The Blackpool manager’s son stepped up to blast the penalty past the Wigan keeper.

Despite some good work by James McArthur, who was Wigan’s most industrious player, too many of the Latics starting line up were below par.

Early in the second half an increasingly desperate looking Owen Coyle introduced subs Holt, Fortune and Beausejour but the 4-2-4 system simply encouraged Wigan to bypass midfield and relied on speculative crosses and long-range efforts from McClean.

Wigan’s change in formation however did make the game open up with chances at both ends. McClean headed wide at the back post from Boyce’s cross, before Rogne’s thumping header hit the crossbar and Boyce failed to capitalise on the rebound.

Grant Holt then produced a superb diving header which hit the crossbar and Leon Barnett’s snapshot was stopped by Matt Gilks’s legs.

At the other end, Carson incredibly kept out two shots from Ince, one from Steve Davies, and a point-blank Kirk Broadfoot header in an exciting final five minutes.

In injury time McClean was bizarrely dismissed for what appeared to be complaining about being stamped on.  The Wigan winger was outraged that he had been first elbowed by Mackenzie and then stamped on as he lay on the ground. Referee Mark Haywood consulted his Assistant who indicated that McClean had somehow been at fault and the Irishman was sent off.

It was a frustrating day all around for Wigan, who have now not scored in their last six away games.

The result puts the team well off the pace in the push for the automatic promotion places – 13 points behind QPR and 15 behind Burnley. It would now take a monumental improvement in form to break into the top two positions.

Everybody expected a rebuilding period following the departure of Roberto Martinez but many fans are now becoming frustrated with the performances and the manager’s constantly changing team selections.

The poor run of injuries and the absence of star man Shaun Maloney have not helped matters, but the manager must take responsibility for the results and a major improvement is now required if Wigan are to make the play offs.

Posted in Blackpool, Owen Coyle, Paul Ince, Tom Ince, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Latics sink ten man Rovers – Wigan Athletic 2 Blackburn Rovers 1

Posted on October 6, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Emmerson Boyce

Emmerson Boyce vital header

A late headed winner by substitute Emmerson Boyce secured an important win for Wigan over ten man Blackburn.

The home team had gone behind after a mistake by keeper Scott Carson. But following the dismissal of Rovers captain Grant Hanley for striking Nick Powell, Latics gained the ascendancy and created numerous goal scoring opportunities.

However, it was not until substitute Grant Holt came off the bench in the 57th minute that Latics drew level. The former Norwich striker forcing Spurr into an own goal, before Boyce glanced home to grab all three points.

Wigan went into the derby fixture without a recognised striker due to a lengthening injury list. Midfielder Nick Powell was once again given the false number 9 position. Boyce was dropped to the bench with Thomas Rogne returning to the back line and James McClean replacing the injured Callum McManaman.

Gary Bowyer’s side were hoping to achieve a third Championship win after showing good form in their last two fixtures. Highly rated Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes started upfront despite a wrist injury.

Rovers adopted a physical approach in the opening exchanges and Wigan’s bench felt aggrieved that referee Stuart Attwell left some dubious challenges go unpunished.

The away team took an early 8th minute lead when the normally reliable Carson dropped a free-kick from Tom Cairney, allowing Tommy Spurr to drive home via a deflection.

James McArthur fired just wide of the upright but Wigan were struggling to cope with Rovers combative style until defender Hanley was dismissed in the 30th minute for striking Powell.

Wigan proceeded to dominate the game following the dismissal, with Jordi Gomez and Powell going close to scoring. But they were unable to penetrate the Rovers defence until Coyle introduced Holt and Boyce off the bench in the second half.

Holt had been absent from the Wigan team since being injured against Middlesbrough in August, but within minutes of his return he had made an impact; his header from a corner finding the net thanks to a Spurr deflection.

Wigan were now camped in the Rovers half and forced a succession of corners which were desperately defended by the Rovers back line and keeper Jake Kean.

Shots and crosses were raining into the Rovers penalty area but they could not get the winner until stoppage time.

James McClean fired into the side netting and Powell again went close before Boyce’s header from a Ben Watson free-kick ultimately proved decisive.

It’s been a good week for Wigan with the first Europa League win against Maribor and now an important Championship victory against local rivals Blackburn. The squad is still very depleted due to the long injury list but the players and manager should be congratulated for two excellent results in difficult circumstances.

Posted in Blackburn Rovers, Championship, Emmerson Boyce, Grant Holt, Tommy Spurr, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment