Wigan’s injury crisis deepens as Norwich winning run continues – Norwich City 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on December 15, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Adrian Lopez

Adrian Lopez limped off with a hamstring injury

Norwich City secured their fifth successive home win and remain unbeaten in ten games after edging out injury hit Wigan Athletic 2-1 at Carrow Road. The Latics had started the game without three centre backs and finished the game with ten men after Adrian Lopez pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain. Earlier Irish international James McCarthy had limped off at half time with a foot injury.

Wigan put in a very disappointing first half performance and went 1-0 down on 16 minutes and they could have been at least three goals down at half time if it hadn’t been for some profligate finishing by the Canaries and some good saves by Ali Al Habsi.

Wigan’s build up play could be described as patient but it would be more accurate to say it was pedestrian. Norwich were much quicker in their progress and Wes Hoolahan, Grant Holt and Anthony Pilkington all had good chances for the home side.

When in possession Wigan gave the ball away far too easily and were unable to close down their opponents when defending. Norwich in contrast passed the ball with efficiency and worked hard to get the ball back.

After a scrappy first fifteen minutes, Norwich took the lead following a mistake by Wigan’s captain Emmerson Boyce. The defender dwelled on the ball on the edge of his own box and Wes Hoolahan dispossessed him before passing to Anthony Pilkington who rifled his shot past Al Habsi.

The Wigan bench was further incensed minutes later when Norwich’s Bradley Johnson appeared to stamp on James McCarthy’s foot. The Canaries midfielder was booked for the offence but McCarthy struggled with the injury for the remainder of the half.

Norwich could have increased their lead when Al Habsi missed Snodgrass’s deep cross but Pilkington inexplicably fired wide. Soon afterwards the Wigan keeper produced an outstanding reflex save to deny a goal bound Snodgrass header. Latics went into the break mightily relieved to be only one goal down.

Roberto Martinez replaced the injured McCarthy and Jordi Gomez during the interval and introduced David Jones and Shaun Maloney. The Scottish international Maloney made an instant impact on 51 minutes when he fired home the equaliser from the edge of the box after brilliant work by Arouna Kone.

Wigan were now on top and controlling possession, Maynor Figueroa had a long range effort which drew a fine save from the Norwich keeper Bunn and Maloney played an exquisite cross which just evaded Mauro Boselli and Kone.

Just when it was looking like the away side would snatch an unlikely victory another mistake by the usually reliable Boyce resulted in Norwich regaining the lead. The Barbadian defender let Pilkington turn far too easily on the edge of the box and the former Huddersfield Town player provide a perfect chip for Wes Hoolahan to head past Al Habsi.

Wigan huffed and puffed but rarely threatened an equaliser until the dying minutes when the hard working Kone was played in by substitute Franco Di Santo, but a great last ditch tackle by Sebastien Bassong denied the Ivorian a goal.

As the game ticked towards the final whistle Adrian Lopez pulled up with what looked like a hamstring strain and Wigan played out the final seconds with ten men.

Wigan’s poor first half showing had been their undoing, if they had not been so far off the pace in the first half they might have got something from the game.

Credit must go to Norwich however, who played with some style and vigour and deservedly took the three points, which moved them up to the heady heights of seventh in the table.

Wigan’s injury crisis continues to get worse with both McCarthy and Lopez unlikely to be available for the difficult upcoming games against Arsenal and Everton. It is fair to say that the squad is looking decidedly thin and the immediate prospects are not looking good. A quick return for some of our long term injuries is now a necessity if we are to gain some points over the Christmas period.

Posted in Anthony Pilkington, Norwich City, Shaun Maloney, Wes Hoolahan, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

McCarthy’s magic extends Rangers winless run – Wigan Athletic 2 Queens Park Rangers 2

Posted on December 9, 2012 by ianhaspinall
James McCarthy

James McCarthy – an exceptional talent

Queens Park Rangers had a great opportunity to snatch their first three points of the season against a depleted Latics when they took a 2-1 lead through substitute Djibril Cisse in the 71st minute, but Wigan equalised three minutes later through Man of the Match James McCarthy to secure the draw.

McCarthy’s late equaliser confirmed Rangers have made the worst start to the season since the Premier League was founded in 1992, their 16th game without a win surpassing Swindon’s run in 1993.

Wigan were without seven senior players including four central defenders, Antolin Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell, Maynor Figueroa and Ivan Ramis. The defence looked decidedly makeshift with midfielder David Jones drafted into the back three alongside Emmerson Boyce and Adrian Lopez.

In contrast to Wigan’s sparse resources QPR had an expensively assembled squad at their disposal with high-profile players such as Djibril Cisse, Junior Hoilett, Estaban Granero and Alejandro Faurlin only making the bench.

Wigan may have been under strength but they created more chances and were the better side throughout. Yet two sucker punches nearly gave Rangers the three points.

Wigan had taken a deserved lead on 19 minutes through James McCarthy. Following a corner the Irishman drove his shot through a crowded box and the ball clipped Jamie Mackie before evading keeper Robert Green.

Against the run of play Rangers drew level six minutes later. Wigan’s inability to defend set pieces continues to haunt them as Rangers captain Ryan Nelson was allowed to rise unchallenged from a corner to head powerfully past Ali Al Habsi.

The goal initially stunned Wigan but they continued to create chances and Franco Di Santo wasted a good opportunity at the back post to reclaim the lead.

In the second half the home side upped the pressure on the Rangers goal. Former England keeper Green was in fine form producing some excellent saves to deny McCarthy, Jones and substitute Mauro Boselli.

Both Jones and Jordi Gomez hit the Rangers cross bar and it looked only a matter of time before Wigan would score. But the finishing touch could not be applied and the visitors took the lead against the run of play when substitute Djibril Cisse fired his side ahead.

Once again it was a Latics error that gifted the goal. Lopez’s underhit pass allowed Boyce to be robbed by Stephane M’bia who fed Shaun Wright-Phillips and the diminutive winger set up Cisse to side foot home.

But Latics were not to be denied and they deservedly equalised three minutes later. Man of the Match McCarthy firing through a sea of legs following Jean Beausejour’s good work.

McCarthy is an exceptional talent, the 22 year old Irish international was central to many of Wigan’s best moves and with a bit more composure he could have scored a hat-trick. His performances are attracting attention from the top teams, but it is to be hoped that Wigan can hold into him for a few more seasons before the inevitable big move materialises.

Posted in Djibril Cisse, James McCarthy, QPR, Ryan Nelson, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Latics out of luck at St James’ Park – Newcastle United 3 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on December 4, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Maynor Figueroa

Maynor Figueroa controversially sent off

Outside of the top few teams most of the clubs in the Premier League are well matched and this game between the clubs in 14th and 15th positions threatened to be a closely fought affair. However, an early game changing decision by referee Mike Jones meant that a Newcastle win was rarely in doubt.

After starting positively Wigan had to face a set back after only 12 minutes when Maynor Figueroa was adjudged to have fouled Papiss Cisse in the box. From my perspective it appeared that two players were shoulder to shoulder with the Honduran defender making his physical presence felt and the Senegalese striker ensuring that he fell in the penalty box as most forwards will do nowadays. It was a marginal decision that could have gone either way but the referee decided it was a penalty and then compounded the verdict by sending off Figueroa and thereby giving Newcastle control of the game.

The current rules suggest that as Figueroa was the last man he should be dismissed but surely some appreciation of the margin involved should have meant that he remained on the pitch. Subsequent detailed analysis by Gary Neville on Sky television showed that it wasn’t a clear-cut penalty and in a straw poll of Sky viewers 70% thought it wasn’t a penalty.

If it wasn’t clear-cut, why did the referee Jones have to send off Figueroa, surely given the importance of the decision he should have used his discretion.

Demba Ba coolly converted the penalty despite a gallant attempt by Ali Al Habsi and it was only eight minutes later when Newcastle went further ahead. The Latics were still trying to re-organise following the dismissal of Figueroa when Davide Santon cut inside and released a powerful swerving shot which Al Habsi could only parry and Ba followed up to score. To all intents and purposes this sealed the three points for the home side.

Following the sending off, Jordi Gomez was sacrificed for the more combative James McArthur and at half time Captain Gary Caldwell on a fifth yellow card, was replaced by Adrian Lopez. The signs were not good for the second period, most Wigan fans must have been fearing a major onslaught by the Toon but it never materialised and the away team played the more measured football, spending most of the second half in the Newcastle half.

Despite Wigan’s positive play the home team were always dangerous on the break and they went further ahead on 71 minutes when Gael Bigirimana scored his first ever goal for Newcastle with a superb curling strike.

It was a brilliant effort by the Burundi born player but in truth the outcome of the game had been decided by the referee Mike Jones in the 12th minute.

Wigan are considering making an appeal against the sending off, but it is likely that they will be without both Figueroa and Gary Caldwell for Saturday’s crucial fixture against Queens Park Rangers. They will now go into this game without at least seven players due to injuries and suspensions. Lady Luck seems to have deserted the Latics, let’s hope she returns very soon.

Posted in Demba Ba, Gael Bigirimana, Maynor Figueroa, Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Balotelli’s strike shatters Wigan’s resistance – Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester City 2

Posted on November 29, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Italian striker Mario Balotelli scored the first goal

Despite having to field a weakened line up and missing three centre backs Wigan matched the unbeaten Premier League champions until maverick City striker Mario Balotelli broke the deadlock on 69 minutes.

Until that point the erratic Italian was having a quiet night when he struck after Gareth Barry’s shot was blocked by Ali Al Habsi and, although the Wigan keeper stopped Balotelli’s first effort, he could do nothing with his second strike.

The second goal soon followed when James Milner’s quality strike from eighteen yards made sure of a victory that keeps City hot on the heels of Manchester United. Latics remain in 15th place despite the defeat, and will be looking to get back to winning ways at St James’ Park next Monday.

Wigan had the better of the opening exchanges, Arouna Kone shot straight at Joe Hart after an incisive pass from Franco Fi Santo, Jean Beausejour’s should have done better when his shot was blocked by Vincent Kompany and a Kone header just missed the target after great work by Ronnie Stam.

City had a couple of opportunities themselves when Kun Aguero hit the side netting after a darting run and Yaya Toure poked a shot at Al Habsi after nutmegging James McCarthy.

In the second half Balotelli headed into side netting when unmarked at the back post and Kone headed wide of the post from a central position.

Wigan continued to match their illustrious opponents and Beausejour’s whipped cross beat the City defenders but also evaded Kone and Jordi Gomez’s header only found the side netting.

Somewhat against the run of play City took the lead through Balotelli after some sloppy Wigan defending and then substitute James Milner on for the ineffective Javi Garcia consolidated City’s lead.

It was fair to say that the two goals in quick succession shattered Wigan’s stubborn resistance and meant they offered little attacking threat during the final fifteen minutes. Prior to the goals the home team had been defensively solid while producing some fluid attacking football.

Despite their makeshift back line and reshuffled midfield Latics had produced a creditable performance which augurs well for the upcoming fixtures against Newcastle United away and QPR at home. Hopefully the side will also be reinforced by some key players returning from the treatment table.

Posted in James Milner, Manchester City, Mario Balotelli, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A special day for Jordi Gomez – Wigan Athletic 3 Reading 2

Posted on November 25, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Jordi Gomez gets a hat-trick

Jordi Gomez grabs a perfect hat-trick

The much maligned midfielder Jordi Gomez scored a superb hat-trick in Wigan’s exhilarating 3-2 win against a resilient Reading at the DW Stadium. Often the scapegoat if Wigan struggle, the Spaniard scored three second-half goals to secure a vital home win for a depleted line-up.

Latics started the game without several key players including Captain Gary Caldwell and during the game they lost midfielder Shaun Maloney and centre back Ivan Ramis.

Reading had been buoyed by their first win of the season last week at home to Everton, and started the game well, matching the home side for shots and possession. They took the lead on 35 minutes when Sean Morrison rose high above the Wigan defence to meet a powerful free kick by Nicky Shorey and head into the top corner.

Despite Reading being ahead, Wigan had created the more clear-cut opportunities with Arouna Kone heading wide after good work by Jean Beausejour and then after rounding keeper Adam Federici the Ivorian’s effort was cleared off the line. Later Gomez produced a great piece of skill to wrong foot the Reading defence but his shot was too high. It’s fair to say that Gomez was having a mixed first half, as when in possession he was prone to give the ball away too easily, but the jeers from some of the home crowd were undeserved.

His second half performance however, was nothing short of remarkable. On 58 minutes impact substitute Franco Di Santo set-up Gomez and despite having his first shot saved by keeper Federici he reacted quickly to fire high into the net.

The second goal was of the highest order, Jean Beausejour’s pinpoint cross found Gomez and his perfectly angled diving header beat the Royals keeper.

The end to end action was far from over however, and Ali Al Habsi was called into action when he produced a world-class reaction save to deny Adam Le Fondre’s header.

The Royals did equalise with a freakish goal. Hal Robson Kanu’s shot was partially blocked by David Jones but the ball looped upwards towards the Wigan goal before dropping between Ali Al Habsi’s gloves and the cross-bar, hitting the keeper in the process and crossing the line. It looked as though this freakish goal would gift Reading a point in a game Wigan had dominated.

But the action was not over and Gomez then had a chance to get his third goal when his volley was cleared off the line by Morrison. The former Swansea, Espanyol and Barcelona player did get his hat-trick and Wigan’s winner in injury-time following a flowing counter-attack. He picked up the ball in his own half and his astute pass found Kone who returned the ball for the Spaniard in the penalty area to claim his hat-trick with a composed finish.

Despite having an inconsistent first half Gomez had been at the centre of all Wigan’s best moves and fully deserved his three goals. He had scored with his left and right foot and a diving header which can only be regarded as the perfect hat-trick.

He is only the second Spanish player (along with Fernando Torres) ever to score a hat trick in the Premier League and only the third ever Wigan player to do so.

Overall it had been an exciting end-to-end encounter spoiled only by some poor decisions by the match officials. Referee Howard Webb and his assistants didn’t have the best of afternoons often leaving both sets of fans incredulous. Reading had a fair shout for a penalty when Jay Tabb collided with Maynor Figueroa’s outstretched leg in the box and Franco Di Santo had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside.

Posted in Howard Webb, Jordi Gomez, Reading, Sean Morrison, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Watson’s broken leg compounds a bad day for the Latics – Liverpool 3 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on November 18, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Wigan's Ben Watson suffered a broken leg

Wigan’s Ben Watson suffered a broken leg after a collision with Raheem Sterling

Wigan went into the game undefeated in the last five outings against the Merseysiders but on this occasion they were well beaten by a Luis Suarez inspired outfit. The Uruguayan striker scored two goals and it could easily been four as his skill and movement tormented the Latics back line. The controversial striker now leads the goal scoring charts and if he maintains this type of form he will surely finish as the Premier League’s top scorer.

Wigan had comfortably contained Liverpool in the first half and limited them to only a couple of goal scoring opportunities. The away side had their fair share of possession but without creating any serious penetration.

Probably the turning point in the game came towards the end of the first half when Wigan midfielder Ben Watson was carried off with a broken leg after an accidental collision with Raheem Sterling. The injury clearly unsettled Wigan and Watson’s replacement David Jones struggled to make any significant impact.

Early in the second half Liverpool took a critical lead after a mistake by Jean Beausejour. The Chilean’s under hit pass to Maynor Figueroa was intercepted by Sterling who pulled the back for Suarez to score.

The second goal on 58 minutes was the product of some excellent play from the home side as Jose Enrique’s slide rule pass split the Wigan defence and Suarez finished in typically clinical fashion.

The third and final goal on 65 minutes was fortuitous for Liverpool as the linesman had incorrectly given the home side a thrown in the build up. Suarez was again involved as he cleverly exchanged passes with Sterling and the England winger’s shot was only parried by Ali Al Habsi before Enrique followed up to score.

The dark side to Suarez’s game was exposed in the 63rd minute when he stamped on David Jones, but referee Kevin Friend didn’t see the incident, if he had done so, the Uruguayan would surely have been red carded.

Ben Watson’s bad injury had certainly disrupted Wigan’s rhythm but with Suarez in such great form it is unlikely that they would have got anything from the game. Suarez is an exceptional player and very few teams in the world could have stopped him from scoring.

Wigan’s performances following an international break continue to frustrate and Roberto Martinez will be relieved that there are no more international fixtures until March next year.

Posted in Ben Watson, Jose Enrique, Liverpool, Luis Suarez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Wigan lose out to buoyant Baggies – Wigan Athletic 1 West Bromwich Albion 2

Posted on November 10, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Wigan failed to capitalise on their recent run of good form with a close fought home defeat to a resilient West Bromwich Albion. Throughout the 95 minutes Wigan had the majority of possession but the Baggies secured the three points with some ruthless counter attacking.

Wigan confidently controlled the first 30 minutes with some great passing but without  creating any clear goalscoring chances. West Brom had been pegged back in their own defensive third and were denied the opportunity to get on the ball.

But against the run of play it was the Baggies who took the lead on 31 minutes when James Morrison met a powerful whipped cross by Chris Brunt to head past Ali Al Habsi.

This was a shock to Wigan who had seemingly been in control, but things got worse on 43 minutes when Billy Jones cross cum shot was deflected into his own net via Wigan captain Gary Caldwell.

The home side did show good resilience by pulling a goal back one minute later when Jean Beausejour produced a good low cross to the far post and Arouna Kone slotted home.

The quick response augured well for the second half, particularly as Wigan had been the dominant force. But the second half did not pan out as the Wigan fans might have hoped. It was a frustrating second period for the Latics and despite once again having the greater possession they failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

Wigan did have good opportunities when Franco Di Santo superbly set up Shaun Maloney, but from a central position the Scottish midfielder fired over the cross-bar. Then probably the best opportunity came when Jean Beausejour’s cross found Di Santo unmarked but the Argentine striker only headed the ball into team-mate Kone and over the bar.

West Brom continued to pose a threat on the counter attack and Ali Al Habsi produced a world-class save to tip Lukaku’s attempt from 12 yards over the bar.

Despite a frantic final five minutes, as Wigan desperately searched for the equaliser, the  Baggies held on to take all three points and move up to fifth place in the Premier League table. This is probably the best West Brom team seen at the DW stadium in recent years and if they continue to play in this fashion they will not be far away from a Europa Cup spot.

Overall West Brom had been resilient in defence and ruthless on the counter attack whereas Wigan had the greater possession but just lacked the killer touch. Wigan fans should not be too despondent however, as they will not come up against a team in such great form every week.

Posted in Arouna Kone, Billy Jones, James Morrison, WBA, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Martinez’s men impress at White Hart Lane – Tottenham Hotspur 0 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on November 3, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Ben Watson Wigan Athletic

Ben Watson gets a vital winner at Spurs

All the pundits expect Wigan to be struggling against relegation and Spurs challenging for a Champions League place but on this performance you would be forgiven for thinking that each team’s prospects could be reversed. Wigan were the more authoritative throughout and should have been at least two goals ahead before at half time although they did get their just deserts on 55 minutes when Ben Watson got the winner from a corner.

Roberto Martinez tactically out thought the Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas (AVB) from the kick off. Spurs never got to grips with Wigan’s flexible formation. Wing backs Jean Beausejour and Emmerson Boyce nullified the attacking threat of Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon. The away team got on the ball and denied their opponents the space to play their normal attacking game.

The much maligned Ben Watson was drafted into the side to replace the injured James McArthur and he produced an accomplished passing display against so-called superior opponents. Arouna Kone was a constant threat to the Spurs defence and on another day might have scored two or three goals. He was at the heart of many of Wigan’s best moves, on 27 minutes he played a great one-two with Franco Di Santo on the edge of the box but his powerful shot was too near to Brad Friedel.

On 33 minutes after a darting run, he played in Shaun Maloney but with only Friedel to beat the Scotsman fired straight at the keeper. Shortly before half time Kone got to the by line and dragged the ball back for Maloney, who stepped over the ball, and Watson fired over from the edge of the box.

Wigan had the upper hand and should have been two or three goals ahead before the break. In contrast, Spurs attackers rarely got beyond Wigan’s back line or stretched keeper Ali Al Habsi.

Spurs may have been missing the attacking threat of Moussa Dembele in central midfield but in theory they have much greater strength in-depth than Wigan. It will be surprising to some that the Latics played with a greater intensity than the home team.

Wigan’s winner came on 55 minutes from Maloney’s corner, when under pressure from Kone, the Spurs keeper Freidel could only push the ball out to Watson who side footed home from seven yards out.

AVB did have the opportunity to change things around when they went a goal down, but instead of going with two strikers, he only replaced his top scorer Jermain Defoe with Emmanuel Adeybayor.

As Spurs got more desperate they did manage to get some good crosses into the box but only once looked likely to score when James McCarthy cleared Steven Caulker’s goal-bound header off the line.

Wigan looked dangerous on the counter attack as Spurs went to three at the back. Maynor Figueroa fizzed a free-kick narrowly over Friedel’s cross-bar and Jordi Gomez, on for Di Santo, had a couple of half chances.

The final result was a fair reflection of the afternoon’s proceedings and will be especially pleasing to Wigan fans who suffered the ignominy of a 9-1 beating in 2009.

Spurs were booed off at the end but Wigan’s players should get full credit for a deserved victory. In previous weeks Roberto Martinez’s team have been producing some good performances without always getting the results. This latest performance shows that the team are clearly capable of establishing themselves in a mid-table position.

Posted in Andre Villas Boas, Ben Watson, Spurs, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Wigan’s fringe players disappoint in shock cup exit – Wigan Athletic 0 Bradford City 0 aet (Bradford win 4-2 on pens)

Posted on October 31, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Bradford City players celebrate

Bradford City players celebrate – photograph by Claire Epton http://www.capturedbyclaire.wordpress.com

Wigan Athletic slipped out of the Capital One Cup with a shock defeat on penalties to Division 2 Bradford City. After David Jones and Ben Watson had converted their spot kicks, Shaun Maloney fired over the bar and Jordi Gomez had his effort saved by Bradford keeper Duke.

Roberto Martinez made nine changes from Saturday’s win against West Ham United with only Ali Al Habsi and Ivan Ramis retaining their places. It was a calculated risk by the manager but most independent observers would expect Wigan’s squad players to have enough to overcome a Division 2 side. It was a disappointing performance by Wigan’s fringe players, despite dominating possession and creating many good chances they were profligate in front of goal. An early header by Ivan Ramis was disallowed for a marginal offside, Mauro Boselli wasted several good scoring chances and Jordi Gomez missed a golden opportunity when he had one on one with keeper Duke in extra time.

Overall Wigan’s play in the final third was ineffective. Roni Stam making a rare appearance in place of Emmerson Boyce wasted several good attacking plays by over hitting his crosses and the other wing back debutant Daniel Redmond rarely got into attacking positions.

Bradford rarely threatened until the latter stages and the game should have been well beyond them before that time. But full credit should be given to the hard-working Division Two outfit who defended manfully and stuck to their task through extra time and penalties.

The Bantams had a great following on the night and sold out their full allocation of 5,000 tickets however only around 6,500 Wigan fans decided to turn out for the game. There are no easy excuses for Wigan’s shock exit but it was desperately disappointing to see such a low home following despite the prospect of a good cup run.

Nearly 15,000 home fans turned out for the home fixture against West Ham at the DW Stadium but less than 7,000 decided to return on the Tuesday night. In the past I have been a staunch defender of Wigan’s crowds, as we have a 19,000 average crowd in a small town of 80,000 people which is a reasonable return, but you would expect a much better crowd for such a Cup game.

Clearly the Capital One Cup is not a priority in comparison to our Premier League status, but this was great opportunity to progress to the last eight of the competition. The club had made the game financially attractive by offering tickets at a bargain £10 but many fans did not see fit to take up the offer.

Bradford’s vociferous following certainly helped their team throughout and the longer the game went on the louder they became. If the Wigan fans had turned up in significant numbers this might have swayed the game in our favour. Surely some food for thought for all true Latics fans.

Posted in Bradford City, Jordi Gomez, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wigan’s quality makes for unhappy Hammers – Wigan Athletic 2 West Ham United 1

Posted on October 28, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Ivan Ramis

Ivan Ramis – Magnificent left footed volley

Wigan went into this fixture without a home victory and West Ham on a fine run of form but it was the Latics who emerged triumphant. The home team controlled the game and should have won by more goals and it was only in the dying minutes that the Hammers scored a late consolation goal.

The game started with West Ham trying to unsettle Wigan with high balls to target man Andy Carroll, but it was home team who took an early lead on eight minutes with a magnificent strike by Ivan Ramis.

Ramis had turned down the chance to sign for the Hammers, so this top quality goal must have been especially galling for their fans.

The early goal gave Wigan a confidence boost and they proceeded to boss proceedings with a typically slick passing display. James McCarthy’s long-range effort tested Jussi Jääskeläinen and soon after Maynor Figueroa’s excellent diagonal pass set up Boyce who fed Maloney and the Scotsman’s strike was deflected wide. From the resulting corner Beausejour’s goal bound shot was headed away by Carroll.

West Ham did have a rare opportunity when Matt Jarvis’s curling cross evaded the Wigan defenders and Yossi Benayoun in the six yard box but Ali Al Habsi managed to make a last-ditch save.

Wigan were well on top, they were more comfortable on the ball and worked tenaciously to win the ball back when they did lose possession. The two Macs, McArthur and McCarthy and Shaun Maloney were back to their best. The returning Momo Diame, Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble were given no freedom in the midfield.

Arouna Kone was a constant threat to the Hammers back line and the often under rated Jean Beausejour had a part to play in both of Wigan’s goals. His well-directed corner on eight minutes found Ivan Ramis who produced a top quality finish. Then early in the second half after a poor clearance by Jääskeläinen, the Chilean midfielder found Franco Di Santo and then played in Shaun Maloney who fed James McArthur to fire in an unstoppable second goal from fifteen yards.

It was an impeccable team performance but my Man of the Match was Maynor Figueroa who hardly a foot wrong throughout. He won just about every challenge and played some great forward passes.

£35m on-loan striker Andy Carroll had a disappointing game but he did have a golden opportunity to pull a goal back mid way through the second half yet he failed to connect with George McCartney’s cross from only eight yards out.

Wigan’s controlled passing denied West Ham access to the ball and it was only from set pieces that the Hammer’s posed a threat.

West Ham had their best effort on target in the 92nd minute when James Tomkins effort was deflected onto the crossbar by Gary Caldwell and then in the  94th minute Tomkins headed a consolation goal from McCartney’s cross.

In his post match analysis Sam Allardyce accepted that his team were completely outplayed. Tactically Roberto Martinez had out-thought the West Ham manager and Wigan were by far the more cultured outfit. They had controlled the tempo of the game and their stylish football had prevailed over Big Sam’s long ball tactics.

Posted in Ivan Ramis, James McArthur, James Tomkins, Roberto Martinez, Sam Allardyce, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment