“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 84^th 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.