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

Wigan secure historic first ever win in Europe – Wigan Athletic 3 NK Maribor 1

Posted on October 2, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Wigan Athletic v NK Maribor

Wigan Athletic v NK Maribor

Wigan Athletic secured their maiden victory in a European competition when they defeated Slovenian Champions NK Maribor 3-1 in an entertaining Europa League Group D match.

Powell gave Latics the lead when he headed in following a mistake by keeper Jasmin Handanovic.

FA Cup hero Ben Watson added a second with a diving header from Jean Beausejour’s cross.

Maribor pulled one back after the interval through Morales Tavares, before Powell fired home his second goal in stoppage time.

Wigan were without several key players for the first ever European tie at the DW Stadium. Defenders Gary Caldwell, Ivan Ramis and Stephen Crainey, goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, midfielder Shaun Maloney and strikers Grant Holt and Marc-Antoine Fortune were all unavailable.

Maribor’s new coach Ante Šimundža was looking to make an instant impact having only been appointed last Sunday following the sacking of Ante Čačić.

Wigan started the game in confident manner and quickly established control of the midfield. Ben Watson, Jean Beausejour and Jordi Gomez were all prominent in the opening exchanges.

Maribor’s goalkeeper Handanovic was soon called upon to make an important save to deny on-loan Manchester United midfielder Powell from giving Latics the lead.

However, in the 22nd minute the Slovenian keeper made a hash of an attempted clearance. Beausejour crossed the ball and Handanovic came out to punch the ball clear, but instead it spun off his fist and towards the net, allowing Powell to nod in from close range.

Wigan were now well on top and they doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Beausejour was once again the provider. The Chilean midfielder’s pinpoint cross found Watson whose diving header beat Handanovic.

Wigan should have been out of sight by half-time, but some bad luck and poor finishing meant that they only went into the break with a two goal lead.

The second half continued in similar fashion with Latics on top and they should have increased their advantage when Beausejour was allowed space down the left before driving a low cross which Powell could only deflect onto the far post.

Just as the home team was not fully capitalising on their dominance Maribor struck. French forward Jean Philippe Mendy out-muscled Ryan Shotton before pulling the ball back for Tavares to score from just inside the penalty area.

Owen Coyle surprisingly withdrew the excellent Watson and brought on Chris McCann and Callum McManaman limped off and was replaced by James McClean. Maribor sensed that they might get something from the game after all.

With a minute of normal time remaining, the Slovenian side must have thought they were about equalise when Tavares launched a vicious strike which was destined for the top corner of the net but Scott Carson produced a world-class save and tipped the ball over the cross-bar.

Powell then settled the outcome in stoppage time when he avoided a couple of desperate challenges before firing a low shot past Handanovic.

It was a historic and important first Europa League victory for Wigan, who are now handily placed to qualify in second position in Group D behind leaders Rubin Kazan.

Posted in Ben Watson, Europa League, Morales Tavares, Nick Powell, NK Maribor, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Europa League comes to Wigan – Wigan Athletic v NK Maribor preview

Posted on September 30, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Europa League Group D banner

Europa League Group D Banner

A historic first ever Europa League game will take place on Thursday night as Slovenian league leaders NK Maribor visit the DW Stadium. Latics take on Maribor in strange circumstances as they have recently sacked their coach Ante Čačić less than four months into his tenure following a run of just one win from their last six matches.

Maribor have hired Ante Šimundža as their new coach, with the 42-year-old leaving NK Aluminij to return to the club he played over 200 games for as a striker. The new manager will be hoping to make an instant impact in his first game in charge.

Maribor have reached the group stage of a major UEFA competition for the fourth time but have yet to make it to the knockout stages. They lost 5-2 at home to Rubin Kazan in their first group game but were regarded as a little unlucky to lose so heavily.

Although they have not won in five European games, they made it through to this season’s Champions League third qualifying round on away goals following two draws with APOEL FC (Cyprus), before losing home and away to FC Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) in the play-offs.

Maribor do not have a good record against English sides having W0 D1 L3. Birmingham City narrowly defeated Maribor 1-0 & 2-1 in the 2011/12 Europa Cup and Wigan’s Jean Beausejour played in both matches.

Maribor’s most recent league game was a 2-1 defeat away to Koper who are third in the Slovene First League. But Latics also go into the game with indifferent form after losing 1-0 at Watford in the Championship on Saturday.

Owen Coyle is likely to change his line up from Saturday, but his attacking options are limited due to injuries to Grant Holt, Shaun Maloney and Marc-Antoine Fortune. The goal threat will therefore have to come from loanee Nick Powell and wide men Callum McManaman and James McClean

Despite the recent inconsistent performances I am going to stick my neck out and go for a narrow Latics win, but it will not be easy against a team who have European experience and will want to impress their new coach Ante Šimundža.

Posted in Ante Šimundža, Europa League, NK Maribor, Owen Coyle, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Controversial decisions deny Wigan – Watford 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 28, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Nick Powell

Nick Powell on the end of two controversial decisions

A late strike from substitute Cristian Battocchio ensured Watford denied Wigan at least a point at Vicarage Road.

Clear cut opportunities were at a premium, but Wigan can regard themselves unlucky to have a Nick Powell goal disallowed for offside and to be denied a penalty when Powell was brought down by Lloyd Doyley.

Watford will be relieved to take all three points and move up to fourth in the Championship table.

Owen Coyle decided to make two changes from the victory over Ipswich, with wide men McManaman and Beausejour replaced by McArthur and Gomez. Gianfranco Zola made two changes from the side which had thumped Barnsley 5-1 last weekend.

Watford started strongly and had the first good chance in the 10th minute when Lewis McGugan put Troy Deeney through the Latics defence and he pulled the ball back for Daniel Pudil, but his shot was saved by Scott Carson.

Latics looked to have taken the lead eight minutes later when Manuel Almunia could only push James McClean’s low cross from the left-back into centre of the penalty area and Nick Powell converted the rebound, but the goal was ruled out for what looked to be a very marginal offside decision.

Wigan were once again without strikers Grant Holt and Shaun Maloney and lone striker Marc Antoine Fortune lasted only 24 minutes before having to be replaced by Callum McManaman.

The first half ended goalless, but Wigan started the second half strongly and Almunia made a couple of excellent saves first from Powell and then McClean.

Wigan then looked to have won a penalty when Lloyd Doyley fouled Powell in the penalty area. But unfortunately referee Madley refused appeals for a spot kick.

Latics looked to be heading for a hard-earned point, until the 82nd minute when Watford substitute Battacchio fired home from the edge of the area after a Davide Faraoni shot had been blocked.

A draw would probably have been a fair result but all three points went to the Hornets.

After the game the Watford manager Zola admitted to Skysports about Nick Powell’s first half strike “it wasn’t offside” and Latics boss Owen Coyle was justifiably aggrieved that the referee did not award a penalty when Powell had been fouled by Lloyd Doyley in the 18-yard box.

“There’s no debate,” Coyle said. “James McClean’s a yard-and-a-half onside. We knew at the time. Bizarre doesn’t cover it”.

Posted in Cristian Battocchio, Nick Powell, Watford, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Wigan slip tamely out of Capital One Cup – Manchester City 5 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 24, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Lee Nicholls

Lee Nicholls made a promising debut despite the result

Latics unsurprisingly slipped out of the League Cup at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City hit five goals to secure a place in the fourth round.

City only led 1-0 at half time after good work by Fernandinho set up Edin Dzeko to score but four second half goals emphasized City’s dominance.

Stevan Jovetic tapped the ball in for the second after Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls had initially saved and Yaya Toure curled in a superb free kick for the third.

Jovetic added a fourth after a mistake by substitute Ryan Shotton and Jesus Navas hit a powerful low shot inside the near post for the fifth.

There have been many changes at both clubs since Wigan’s historic FA Cup win in May but the seismic changes that have taken place at the DW Stadium are far greater than anything happening at the Etihad.

Wigan’s new manager Owen Coyle made nine changes from the team which defeated Ipswich on Sunday and gave debuts to goalkeeper Lee Nicholls and wing back Juan Carlos Garcia. Wigan were once again without a regular centre forward and young french winger Nuoho Dicko was given the role as the lone front-runner. With Holt, Fortune, Maloney and McManaman all injured the options for the manager were extremely limited.

Manuel Pellegrini also shuffled his pack making ten changes following City’s recent derby win against Manchester United, but in reality it made little difference as he has an embarrassment of riches compared to Latics.

City started the game strongly and if it was not for rooky Latics goalkeeper Nicholls they could have taken an early lead.

Latics offered little going forward and it was perhaps surprising that City did not score sooner than the 32nd minute. Fernandinho played a delicate chip over a static Wigan back line and Edin Dzeko slide in to poke the ball past Nicholls.

The second half continued in a similar vein with City dominating possession and creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.

Wigan’s debutant keeper Nicholls was having an outstanding game, he was called upon to make an excellent double save first from a Dzeko shot and then an effort by Navas was deflected by Stephen Crainey and the young keeper made a brilliant reflex save.

There was a suggestion of offside about City’s second goal, Nicholls initially denied Jovetic but the £22m striker followed up to score and referee Kevin Friend allowed the goal to stand.

In the 74th minute Fraser Fyvie committed a reckless and unnecessary foul about 25 yards from goal. Substitute Yaya Toure stepped up to curl a superb free kick over the wall and past the despairing dive of Nicholls.

In the 83rd minute the tiring Emmerson Boyce was outrun by James Milner who crossed the ball in to the six yard box and Ryan Shotton made a hash of the clearance and presented an easy opportunity for Jovetic to poke the ball home.

The rout was completed when Jesus Navas was allowed far too much room on the right hand side and the tricky Spaniard cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the Wigan keeper.

The difference in class was evident throughout but it was also apparent that Wigan didn’t show any real desire to go further in a competition which cannot be a priority for a team seeking a quick return to the Premier League and competing in the group stages of the Europa League.

Posted in Edin Dzeko, Jesus Navas, Manchester City, Manchester United, Stevan Jovetic, Wigan Athletic, Yaya Toure | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wigan Athletic’s European Adventure part 1 – Slideshow

Posted on September 24, 2013 by ianhaspinall

From non-league to Europa League it’s been quite an adventure for the fans of Wigan Athletic. Most long-standing Latics fans could never have dreamt that they would one day play in a European competition, so this was a night to be savoured.

There were an amazing 2,500 Wigan fans in Bruges on Thursday night for the club’s first ever game in the Europa League against SV Zulte Waregem. A Lancastrian invasion of the picturesque Belgian city was a sight to behold as the blue and white army thronged the Market Square for a special night to remember.

Last season’s FA Cup winners started the European campaign with a satisfactory 0-0 draw at a rain-soaked Jan Breydel Stadium. To celebrate this historic event here’s a selection of images taken by me and some other fans during our trip to Belgium.

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Posted in Europa League, SV Zulte Waregem, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Wigan ride their luck to survive Ipswich onslaught – Wigan Athletic 2 Ipswich Town 0

Posted on September 22, 2013 by ianhaspinall
Nick Powell

Manchester United loanee Nick Powell sealed the points for Latics

An early headed goal by Ryan Shotton and a late finish by Nick Powell secured an unlikely three points for Wigan at home to Ipswich Town.

The Stoke loanee Shotton rose unchallenged at the back post to head home following a corner by Nick Powell.

Powell sealed the game for Latics in the 90th minute following a mistake by Town keeper Dean Gerken.

But it was the away side who had looked the more dangerous over the 90 minutes. Wigan keeper Scott Carson produced a man of the match performance to deny Mick McCarthy’s team.

Wigan manager Owen Coyle once again shuffled his pack following Thursday night’s draw at Zulte Waregem in the Europa League. Captain Emmerson Boyce was rested and Shaun Maloney and Marc Antoine Fortune were notably absent from a line up which did not include a recognised centre forward. Callum McManaman, James McClean and Powell were expected to provide the attacking threat.

The opening minutes demonstrated that Ipswich would be no pushovers as they set about unsettling the unfamiliar Latics formation. Luke Chambers had his header deflected onto the cross-bar as the away side forced a succession of corners.

But Latics took the lead in the 12 minute and Mick McCarthy will no doubt be disappointed that his side went behind from a set piece. Shotton was allowed too much space at the back post and he headed his first goal for Wigan in only his second appearance.

But, despite the early set back, Ipswich were the better side for much of the first half. Wigan Captain Ben Watson produced a great block to deny Daryl Murphy from scoring and then David McGoldrick headed just wide.

Scott Carson was in fine form first producing a fine reaction save to keep out Murphy’s close-range effort and then tipping Cole Skuse’s scorching drive around the post.

Latics were very fortunate to go in at half time a goal to the good but the second half continued in similar fashion to the first with Tunnicliffe driving a shot at Carson.

Wigan looked threatening on the break however, and the unmarked Thomas Rogne somehow contrived to head wide from close range when it looked easier to score.

Powell nearly grabbed a second following a Watson free kick but his header went wide and James McArthur should have done better when presented with an open goal but he also fired wide.

Ipswich put pressure on the Wigan goal and continued to win free kicks around the penalty box but Wigan ‘s defence held firm. McGoldrick and Tunnicliffe were both thwarted by blocks, while Carson tipped a long-range effort by Berra around the post for a corner.

It was to prove a crucial save as Wigan wrapped up the points in the 90th minute when Powell robbed Ipswich keeper Gerken of the ball and tapped home the winner.

Ipswich will rue their missed opportunities after they had dominated possession, and had 25 shots compared to Wigan’s 16 and 10 corners compared to Latics 3.

On another occasion Latics could easily have lost the game. Their deficiencies were all too evident as they gave the ball away far too easily and often resorted to a hopeful long ball. Their opponents controlled much of the play and if it was not for some excellent saves by Carson the points would have gone to Suffolk.

On the plus side there were some good performances by Carson and Watson and first goals for loanees Shotton and Powell. But there is still much that requires improvement if Wigan are to make a serious challenge for promotion.

Posted in Ipswich Town, Mick McCarthy, Nick Powell, Owen Coyle, Ryan Shotton, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Latics outfought by Foxes – Leicester City 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 14, 2013 by ianhaspinall
David Nugent Leicester City

David Nugent penalty seals Foxes win

Wigan slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium with
Liam Moore scoring his first goal for the Foxes and David Nugent scoring a late penalty.

Moore put City ahead when he headed home unmarked from a corner after only 15 minutes.

Jean Beausejour brought down Jamie Vardy on 81 minutes and Nugent stepped up to score from the spot despite a valiant effort by Wigan keeper Scott Carson.

Latics lined up with James Perch in midfield following the departure of James McCarthy, but they struggled to cope with Leicester’s physical presence throughout.

The Foxes won most of the major battles and Wigan’s defence always looked vulnerable to quick counter attacks.

Early on Nugent shot just wide while Vardy just failed to put Andy King clear with a neat pass on the edge of the penalty area.

But Leicester’s early pressure told when Moore was allowed to rise unchallenged at the far post to power a header past Carson.

Wigan responded when Ben Watson’s 25 yard free kick was narrowly wide but Leicester continued in the ascendancy with Anthony Knockaert and Nugent both missing good chances and Vardy having a shot saved by Carson.

Marc Antoine Fortune had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Webb when he looked to have been brought down in the box.

Just before half time Leon Barnett brought Kasper Schmeichel to his first real save with a crisp shot on the turn.

Early in the second half Dyer’s pace troubled Wigan and it needed a great tackle by Roger Espinoza on Vardy to prevent the City striker from converting a pass from Nugent.

Wigan manager Owen Coyle made some perplexing substitutions, withdrawing the hardworking Roger Espinoza, the creative Jordi Gomez and Wigan’s best player Shaun Maloney. New loan signing Nick Powell, James McClean and Callum McManaman were thrown into the action but the Foxes continued to command the centre of the park and Wigan only threatened sporadically.

Leicester should have scored a second goal in the 70th minute. Vardy set up Nugent in the penalty area, but the striker’s first-time volley flew wide.

But Wigan’s fate was sealed on 81 minutes when Vardy was tripped by Jean Beausejour and Nugent scored the spot-kick despite Carson getting a hand to the ball.

Latics had been second best all afternoon and it will be worrying for Coyle that his team could not cope with a strong and physical Leicester team.

There have been many changes at the club since Roberto Martinez’s departure and it is evident to most fans that the club is going through a transformation period. However it is important that the new manager quickly establishes a system of play and a starting line up that can cope with the physical demands of the Championship.

All Wigan fans will be looking forward to their Europa Cup adventure but they also know the Championship and the push for a return to the Premier league has to be Wigan’s top priority.

Posted in David Nugent, Leicester City, Liam Moore, Owen Coyle, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments