Wycombe Wanderers 1 Wigan Athletic 0: another insipid first half performance dents Latics

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Match reactions and tagged with , , ,

“The second half was everything that we want, and the complete opposite in the first half.”

So said Shaun Maloney as Latics had narrowly gone down to a 1-0 defeat.

A look at the team sheets an hour before football games start can give us an inkling of what might follow. It probably provided more than that in this case. Matt Smith and Jordan Jones on the bench, Jonny Smith at right wing back, three centre backs in place to blunt the home team’s aerial approach.  

Given such a crowded fixture list and with having players suffering from injuries, knocks and strains a football manager can have difficult decisions to make. In this case Maloney decided the rest midfield king-pin Matt Smith, still easing his way back in after a long spell out with injury. With Liam Shaw, Sean Clare and Steven Sessegnon unavailable he decided to pair Baba Adeeko and Scott Smith in midfield. Jonny Smith had not looked comfortable previously at right wing back, but Maloney was short of options for that position, given the formation he chose.

The lifeless first half performance was another of those we have seem so often: practically devoid of life, players opting for the easy way out when receiving possession by passing the ball sideways or backwards. However, a rare slip by Sam Tickle was to prove the difference between the two teams in the first half. In the 19th minute Josh Scowen had easily got past Scott Smith on the edge of the box to put in a hard cross that the goalkeeper deflected into his own net. Tickle has been Wigan’s outstanding performer over the course of the season, but this time his technique let him down.

Playing with three centre backs had certainly blunted Wycombe’s cutting edge, but Wigan’s lack of movement and mobility in midfield and further forward meant that they posed little threat to the home team’s defence. We were to see that sterile football that has reared its head too often with centre backs gobbling up time passing the ball among themselves, central midfield incapable of providing the link between defence and attack and a blunt and ineffective strike force.

The manager introduced Jordan Jones, Matt Smith and Martial Godo following the half time break, taking off the ineffective Adeeko and Jonny Smith, plus Liam Morrison who had been his usual solid self. Reverting to a back four and with an injection of energy and creativity Latics looked a different team. Wycombe were pushed back into defence with Wigan on the front foot. The ineffective Stephen Humphrys and Josh Magennis were replaced by Chis Sze and Charlie Kelman after 62 minutes. However, despite their much-improved approach play Latics could not put the ball in the back of the net, with Argentinian goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli having a fine performance for Wycombe.

The first half of this game was depressing from a Latics point of view, but the second period saw them playing with some degree of flair and drive. The challenge for Maloney is to find a way to induce his players to play with tempo and be brave on the ball from the start, not having to rely on bringing on a swathe of substitutes to provide impetus.

Of the 11 players who started the game, 5 were products of the Wigan Athletic Academy, 3 were loanees, two signed by previous managers and one by Maloney last summer. Given the trajectory defined for Maloney by the owner it reflects the kind of balance that we can expect in the coming years. The squad is likely to be made up of a handful of senior pros, together with academy products and loan players.

There are a handful of players in the senior squad whose contracts expire this summer. There has been media speculation that some of them will be offered new contracts, but on much reduced salaries. The likelihood is that all will depart in summer, as will the loan players.

Wigan’s best performing players this season, Charlie Hughes and Sam Tickle, are academy products. Of last summer’s signings Matt Smith stands out as a real bargain, a key cog in Maloney’s preferred style of football. Sean Clare and Steven Sessegnon offer versatility, although the latter has had problems with injury. Jonny Smith has struggled for consistency. Callum McManaman has provided energy and dynamism when used off the bench and might well be offered an extension on his one-year contract.

Whether Hughes and Tickle remain at the club over summer will depend on the offers that will surely be coming in for them on the transfer market from the big clubs. Owner Mike Danson will be keen to cash in on transfer fees following another major loss-making season. Transfer fees for players in League 1 tend to be low compared to those in higher divisions: it will be interesting to see what develops.  

Wigan Athletic 1 Exeter City 2: deflected goals stun Latics

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Match reactions and tagged with , , , , , ,

Wigan Athletic’s wins away at Exeter in League 1 and the FA Cup had a certain amount of fortune about them. Put simply, a mixture of ill fortune and lack of penetration in the penalty box by Gary Caldwell’s team gifted both games to an opportunist Wigan. The reverse happened today with two deflected goals proving the difference between the two teams.

Latics started brightly but were undone in the 11th minute when Mo Eisa’s shot took a wicked deflection off Charlie Goode to put the visitors ahead.

With Matt Smith suspended and Liam Shaw out through injury there was going to be lack of creativity in Latics’ midfield. Scott Smith and Baba Adeeko struggled in the first half to link the defence and attack. Exeter pressed high up the field and Wigan’s defence and midfield found it hard to cope with. Far too often the centre backs, Hughes and Goode, waving their arms about, would play the ball between each other or to full backs who were hard pressed to go forward. It was tedious, slow and repetitive, frustrating for a paying spectator to watch.

Being a goal behind at half time Shaun Maloney made attacking changes in the second half with Jonny Smith coming on for Sean Clare at right back, Chris Sze for Adeeko and Charlie Kelman for a totally ineffective Josh Magennis. The changes brought energy into Wigan’s play and players started to run with the ball. However, in the 66th minute another deflected goal, this time off Scott Smith, once again rocked Wigan. However, they continued to mount attacks.

 Kelman’s mobility had proved useful in the second half and he scored an opportunist goal after 71 minutes after the keeper had palmed way a shot by Steven Humphrys. However, no more goals came for Wigan and Exeter walked away with a perhaps fortunate, perhaps deserved 3 points.

It has been a season of highs and lows for Latics. At their best they can match the top teams in the division and play delightful football. At their worst they can be ponderously slow moving the ball forward, seemingly devoid of energy, reluctant to run with the ball, prone to constant back passing. T

The ups and downs are typical of a mid-table team, something Latics fans have not seen for years. If this team were to finish around mid-table it would be an achievement for a manager who has dealt with so many difficult situations at the club with grace and dedication. The goal for the season was always to avoid relegation and make progress to balancing the books.

Maloney and owner Mike Danson have together helped stabilise a club on the verge of extinction. The “massive” overspending of the Richardson era ultimately left the club in poor shape, with so many players on long term contracts on salaries that were disproportional to the club’s revenues. Latics will make a considerable loss this season and it is highly unlikely that any of Richardson’s “senior pro” signings will be here at Wigan next season.

Only three of Richardson’s signings were in the starting lineup today.  Steven Humphrys and Jordan Jones has been sent away on loan by Richardson, but Josh Magennis had been signed to be a first team regular after taking over from Charlie Wyke as “target man”.

Earlier in the season we had seen an exciting attacking trio of Thelo Aasgaard, Martial Godo and Humphrys. Since then, Aasgaard, who has been dogged by injuries, has started to realise some of his huge potential. Godo was electric until his injury in the FA Cup game at York. Since his return he has been a shadow of his former self. Humphrys was so good to watch earlier in the season, his pace, flair and two-footedness, able to open up defences. But his form has dipped drastically and he too looks a shadow of what he was.

Latics will almost certainly avoid relegation this season despite the 8-point deduction imposed by the EFL. They are on their way to becoming a sustainable club, but that path will be painful for a fan-base accustomed to the support of a benefactor. Expectations remain among too many fans that Latics will continue to be run the way they have over the past decade. Times have changed and the long-term survival of the club is paramount. That involves the club living within its means.

Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com

Northampton Town 1 Wigan Athletic 1: two rays of hope for Latics in a battling performance

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Match reactions and tagged with , , , , ,

“Anytime you come away from home and go 1-0 down, though, maybe you have to take the point. The performance though…for me, it was even better than Barnsley on New Year’s Day. Barnsley was very different, in that first half, it was very counter attack. Today for me was as good as we’ve played in a long, long time with the ball.”

Sean Maloney’s comments after the game. Latics had 65% possession during the course of the contest.

Maloney made two changes from the team that played Manchester United with 19-year-old Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers coming into the left side of defence and Josh Magennis as a central striker. There was a tweak in the formation with Thelo Aasgaard largely operating a left midfield role, alongside Stephen Sessegnon and Baba Adeeko.

Maloney’s tactical approach invariably involves players interchanging positions, making it difficult to define one specific formation. Such fluidity can make it difficult for the opposition to counter, although at times there can be glitches with gaps in the defensive formation, particularly if a player misplaces a pass. In this game Adeeko’s passing error gifted the home side a goal after 15 minutes after Sam Tickle had conceded a penalty in an attempt to rectify the error. Latics had dominated the game up to that point, but the goal lifted the confidence of the home team for the remainder of the first half.

When the half time whistle blew Latics were a goal down and the social media was awash with comments suggesting Magennis should be substituted out of the contest after being repeatedly causing attacks to break down through being off side.

No changes were made at half time, but there was an improvement in the tempo from Latics. After 61 minutes Maloney made a tactical adjustment took off centre back Liam Morrison, bringing on Callum McManaman. He also brought on Matt Smith for Adeeko. Smith immediately stamped his class into Wigan’s play and his defence-splitting pass to Martial Godo provided a tap in for Magennis after 64 minutes.

In the end a draw was a fair result and the point was enough to put Latics 5 points above the relegation zone with a record of W10 D6 L10.   Northampton had started the game in the top half of the table and had won 3 and drawn one of their previous four home games.  They seemed content to share the points at the end of the proceedings.

It was a delight to see Matt Smith back in action: his ability to receive the ball in tight situations and find his man with the pass makes him virtually irreplaceable in the style of play preferred by Maloney. Luke Chambers made a fine debut, being able to slot into that hybrid role of left back/left centre back. Together they provide rays of hope in their ability to effectively slot into the manager’s style of play.

Since Adeeko played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team in November he has not been able to consistently play at the same level as he did previously. Adeeko certainly provides the physicality and energy needed in the centre of midfield, but his passing has disappointed of late, being prone to pass backwards or sideways. But Adeeko is only 20 and in his first season as a regular in the first team. He has made remarkable strides and made himself a contender for an automatic place in the starting lineup. Given more time he could become a key player.

Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com

A breakout season for Thelo Aasgaard?

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Player profiles and tagged with ,

“I thought Thelo’s performance in the second half against Charlton was as good as he’s produced since I’ve been here…I still think there’s a lot more he can do, but he’s doing okay.”

Shaun Maloney’s comment hit the nail on the head. His appraisal of Thelo Aasgaard was fair. Although the Norwegian did not have a great game against Charlton he was certainly one of the better performers that day. But one gets the feeling watching him that there he is playing below his capabilities.

Aasgaard made his league debut for Latics as an 18 -year-old in October 2020, coming on as an 88th minute substitute in a 0-1 home loss to Peterborough United. It was a bleak time to make a first appearance, with the club reeling from being under administration and the Covid pandemic causing football matches to be played behind closed doors. However, it provided opportunities for some of the club’s academy players with the club being cash-strapped, unable to bring in many experienced pros. Aasgaard went on to make 13 League 1 starts that season, with 20 appearances off the bench.

The following season he made just one league start, coming on as a substitute 4 times, in Leam Richardson’s League 1 title winning side. Last season saw the player making his largest number of appearances with 12 starts and 19 substitute experiences in the Championship.

Stats courtesy of Soccerway.com

In terms of playing time, it could be argued that Aasgaard has had more than enough to more consistently reveal his impressive range of talents. Click here to see his goalscoring prowess. He has been played in a variety of positions, although predominantly wide on the left. Although he has the attributes as a midfield playmaker he has rarely been employed in that position and when he has played there he has not over-impressed.

Together with Charlie Hughes, Aasgaard stands out as a player who has the capability to play at a much higher level. Although only 20 the former has already established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, seeming destined to become a Premier League player. But some players mature earlier than others.

In the last three games Aasgaard has played the full 90 minutes-plus, scoring two goals. He has thrived in the role of playing in a mobile, interchanging front three. Maloney clearly has faith in the player and has given him the opportunity to play in a run of games that he has rarely been afforded in the past. Aasgaaard’s skills blend well with those of Martial Godo and Stephen Humphrys in a pacy and stylish front three.

Will this be Thelo Aasgaard’s breakout season?

Click here to see our previous article “Finding the right place for Thelo Aasgaard“

Wigan Athletic 2 Charlton Athletic 3: Maloney gets it wrong

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Match reactions and tagged with , , ,

“I have to give them (Charlton Athletic) credit, they were good and it could’ve been more (at half-time). I made three changes before the game, and take responsibility for that. I didn’t get the team right.”

Shaun Maloney was open and honest in his post-match comments. The changes disrupted the gelling progress that had been present in recent games. The net result was a lack of coordination and fluency.

A run of three consecutive wins came to a halt as Charlton tore holes in the Wigan defence in the first half and stunned the home crowd. After three consecutive clean sheets Latics went into the half time break with the score 0-3.  Thelo Aasgaard’s quality goal in the 84th minute gave them more impetus and Stephen Humphrys added a second 5 minutes later. But Charlton battened down the hatches and an equaliser was not forthcoming.

Maloney had brought in Callum Lang, Tom Pearce and Charlie Wyke, leaving Humphrys and Martial Godo on the bench. With Steven Sessegnon absent through injury he switched Jordan Jones to right wing back. The linking up between Jones and Godo had been an exciting feature on the left-hand side in the recent upturn of form. Moreover, an adjustment in both personnel and formation saw the fluid front three of recent games revert to Callum Lang and Charlie Wyke up front and Thelo Aasgaard behind them.

Lacking synergy, the passing looked slow and cumbersome and there was a lack of lack of energy and dynamism. The midfield was ineffective, exposing a defence that looked uncomfortable against a Charlton midfield and front line which played with verve and flair. The visitors were good value for their three-goal lead and could have scored more in the first half.

Maloney made three changes at half time replacing Lang, Wyke and Liam Shaw with Godo, Humprhrys and Scott Smith. Shaw and Wyke had been ineffective. Lang had superb free kick hit the crossbar after 15 minutes but was otherwise anonymous. Despite his recent goals he remains an enigma, unable to hold up the ball in open play, still struggling to regain the confidence that was shattered by a very difficult season in the championship. Perhaps he would be better employed as an impact substitute?

Godo went on to make two assists and Humphrys got a goal that gave Latics a faint chance of equalising. Why the two were not on from the start was mystifying.

Maloney is a believer in squad rotation, an approach that is diametrically opposed to the “don’t change a winning team” ethos that prevailed in the Cook/Richardson era. Uwe Rosler, nicknamed “TInkerman” by some fans, used squad rotation to great effect in 2013-14 to lift a struggling side up the table to reach the playoffs. In addition, he took them to an FA Cup semi-final, where they were defeated on penalties. Many fans remember the German’s second season when his summer signings just did not work out and having a bloated squad did not help. But Rosler had showed in that first season that squad rotation can keep players fresh and encourage competition for places.

With five games in three weeks Maloney was clearly thinking of using his squad to prevent burnout of key players such as Humphrys and Godo.

Humphrys is a technically gifted player, adept with the left or right foot, a rarity among modern footballers. He has a rocket of a shot with either foot and genuine pace. At 26 years of age his career has not taken off as might have been expected for someone so talented. Born in Oldham he joined Fulham as a 19-year-old, playing two games for them. After loans at Shrewsbury, Rochdale and Scunthorpe he signed a permanent contract for Southend United in January 2019. Just a month later he suffered horrendous facial injuries after a collision with Accrington goalkeeper Johnny Maxted. Following successive surgeries he returned in May 2019, scoring a goal against Sunderland that helped Southend escape relegation. In September 2019 he joined Rochdale going on to score 11 goals in 29 appearances. In July 2021 Humphrys signed for Wigan Athletic, but could never secure a regular starting place under Leam Richardson. Last season he went on loan to Hearts, becoming a fan favourite, but injuries curtailed him to 19 appearances and 2 goals.

Given Humphrys’ past record Maloney has been careful in his use of the player. In the previous three games he had been substituted between the 64–70-minute mark. Humphrys has become a key player in the fluid front three formation favoured by the manager and has the skills to be successful at a higher level, providing he can stay fit and free from injury.

Latics travel Exeter on Saturday in an FA Cup tie. Maloney has stressed the importance of the game, leading some fans to suggest that he rested his key players so that they would be available for Exeter.

However, in the future the manager will surely be more careful in his squad rotation. In this game his changes broke up the fluidity that had been developing in a team that should go from strength to strength as the season progresses.

Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com