Fleetwood Town 1 Wigan Athletic 1

A spirited performance saw Latics share the points in a scrappy game played at a windy Fleetwood. Jamie Jones conceded another goal to a long shot: this time from Fleetwood’s Danny Andrew, but redeemed himself with a brilliant save at the death when Paddy Madden ran through the Wigan defence following an error from Tom James. Moments before Ollie Crankshaw had equalised in the 91^st minute after Will Keane’s effort had been parried by Fleetwood’s Swiss/Canadian keeper Jayson Leutwiler.

We had a message on the Wigan Athletic site before the game started that we would not be able to get the usual commentary of Ashley Houghton and Tommy Gore due to technical issues at the Highbury Stadium. In the event Gore did materialise but together with a Fleetwood commentator who had difficulties in recognising the Wigan players and in pronouncing some of their names.

Latics had held their own defensively until the long shot went in after 28 minutes. Fleetwood continued to press but Wigan held them back. However, Wigan’s attacking intent was largely limited to hopeful long balls that were gobbled up by the home defence. Put simply, they did not look like scoring.

But Latics came out for the second half with more attacking intent and although the long ball tactic did not disappear it was interspersed with good football. After looking so confident in the first half Fleetwood dropped back in defence as Latics took the game to them. The late equaliser was a just reward for the sheer effort Latics had made to get a share of the points.

The point keeps Wigan off the bottom and within reach of safety from the relegation zone.

Following the game Leam Richardson commented:

“I thought the energy and endeavour – certainly in the second-half – was fantastic to see; we were playing on the front foot a lot more. The weather played a part but at half-time I said to the lads that I wanted to see them play with more belief because on the back of Tuesday’s result I think they were a little bit reserved and on the back foot, which I don’t accept.

Second half we played with a lot more freedom to get into their final third and make things happen. We thoroughly deserved the result.”

Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to the match through the message boards and social media.

Our thanks go to the Vital Wigan – Latics Speyk Forum and Twitter for providing the media for the posts below to happen. Thanks go to all whose contributions are identified below

Jeffs right wrote:

One shot on target one goal. Could make a difference with four relegation places to avoid. Well done Latics.

Degsy stated:

I don’t understand why we have a midfield, they don’t win second ball and must have sore necks watching the ball soar over them every time the keeper or back four get hold of the ball.”

Hoofing the ball up the pitch is on instruction of manager and not the fault of the players !

I agree it’s stupid in such conditions and should be kept with the players on the ground !

When played through midfield, I thought Perry & Merry controlled it well and I don’t think you can fault Merrie in his commitment and success in tacking, winning the ball more often than losing it !

SwindonLatic added:

Barton will be fuming but his team did eff all in the second half apart from time waste. Well done to the boys for sticking at it even if we did lack quality in the final third.

True Believer commented:

Worst commentary I have ever heard on a game. You would have thought he would have learnt the players names and he couldn’t even pronounce Tommy Gores name correctly.

All that said the first half we looked completely out of it and I feared we were in for a pasting after the goal. We never got going and kept hitting the ball high into the wind without anyone of height to try and get on to it. I don’t understand why we have a midfield, they don’t win second ball and must have sore necks watching the ball soar over them every time the keeper or back four get hold of the ball.

Second half with the wind at our backs we persisted with kicking it long for most of the third quarter only to see it catch on the wind and fly through to their keeper whilst our forwards failed to press the centre backs. When we did start to get the ball down and play through the midfield we started to get on top and the possession stats started to even out and we looked more in control of the game.

Their keeper made a terrific save only to see it parried out to “Cronksoe”, or whatever name he called him, to head the ball in after following the shot in. Well done Ollie.

Not a game for the purist but in the scheme of things a valuable point, a much improved performance on midweek, and despite some of the miserable posters on here we are still only three points off safety with a new owner and transfer window to come.