Category Archives: Match Reports

Latics legs go again in defeat at Charlton

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

Despite the defeat there were plenty of positives to be taken from Latics’ display at The Valley yesterday. But when it looked as though Wigan had battled through for a deserved point they were robbed by a wickedly deflected shot on goal during time added on.

Uwe Rosler largely stuck with the lineup he had put out in the previous league game against Reading. But with Emmerson Boyce injured he brought in Ivan Ramis at centre back. Marc-Antoine Fortune was brought in for Martyn Waghorn. In Boyce’s absence, James Perch was surprisingly nominated as captain ahead of James McArthur.

Latics started in a positive manner, playing the kind of football reminiscent of the days of Roberto Martinez. But despite having dominated the possession they fell behind in the 8th minute when their right-footed left winger Jordan Cousins cut inside Perch and blasted the ball home with his natural foot. Latics soon got back to their possession football, with Callum McManaman looking lively on the right. In the 21st minute a glorious long pass from James McArthur eluded left back Rhoys Wiggins for McManaman to control the ball and hit it with his left foot past goalkeeper Stephen Henderson from a narrow angle.

Latics continued to dominate possession, building up patiently out of defence. It was good to see Scott Carson looking to throw the ball, rather than give it his habitual hoof. Oriel Riera and Fortune were alternating between the centre forward and left wing positions, but moves were fizzling out with the two forwards and the midfield seemingly not on the same wavelength. Perch continued to have problems with Cousins, who looked dangerous.

Shaun Maloney came on for Riera at half time, playing on the left wing. Charlton had started to gain more possession, but the Latics midfield trio of Cowie, Huws and McArthur were still lively. Martyn Waghorn replaced Fortune in the centre forward position after 69 minutes. Huws was taking all the set pieces for Wigan but they were not threatening a steady Charlton defence with Ben Haim and Bikey-Amagou in top form.

With both teams resisting the long ball it was a fascinating contest and looked to be heading towards a draw. However, the substitution of Don Cowie after 75 minutes saw Wigan’s energy levels fading and the home side were looking the more lively. Latics’ crosses into the box were invariably cut out by the central defenders or the dominant substitute goalkeeper Nick Pope, who had come on after 67 minutes.

In the final ten minutes, which included five minutes of added-on time, Latics were all at sea. The left hand side of defence had all but folded and Perch and Ramis really had their work cut out holding things together. The midfield was unable to provide the protection it had given earlier. Vetokole broke through for a one on one with Carson but the keeper made a fine save. Perch made an excellent block from Gudmundsson. But even Ramis, who had been excellent up to that point, was looking ragged.

It had looked like a goal was on the cards for Charlton in added time, but it was to come when a shot from Moussa from outside the area was deflected by Kiernan, giving Carson no chance.

The stats showed that Latics enjoyed 55% of the possession with six corners to Charlton’s three. But more revealing was that Charlton had five shots on target to Latics’ one. In fact Wigan only mustered four shots in the whole game.

The Good

The good news is that football has returned to Latics’ play. In fact there was hardly a hoof all afternoon. Until they tired, Ramis and Kiernan were excellent in the centre of defence, reading the play and using the ball effectively.

The midfield trio of Cowie-McArthur-Huws at times looked like a carbon copy of last season’s favoured formation of Watson-McArthur-McCann. Cowie looked comfortable in the Watson role in the centre of the park, in front of the back four. Huws is a fine young player who will get better and better. McArthur was his usual lively self.

McManaman had a good first half, taking his goal superbly, but was heavily marked in the second.

The Bad

Once again Latics could not compete physically for the full 90 minutes. Those final ten minutes were agony as they just did not have the legs to compete on equal footing with the home team.

Despite having the majority of the possession Latics were not creating chances. Maloney came on in the second half but he too was unable to provide that spark that was missing.

It was surprising to see Huws take the set pieces with players like Maloney and Waghorn on the field.

Player Ratings

Scott Carson: 7 – did all that was asked of him. Distribution much improved.

James Perch: 6 – just did not look himself in the first half but showed the kind of grittiness and determination in the second half that typifies his normal play.

Ivan Ramis: 7.5 – excellent until the closing minutes.

Rob Kiernan: 6 – clearly not match fit. Played well until the final quarter of the match.

Andrew Taylor: 5 – looked out of touch. Is he fully fit?

Don Cowie: 7 – worked hard, strong in the tackle, rarely wasted the ball.

James McArthur: 7 – a battling performance.

Emyr Huws: 7 – strong in the tackle, with a cultured left foot.

Callum McManaman: 7 – did all he could offensively, but left Perch exposed at times.

Oriel Riera: 5 – made no impact. Taken off at half time.

Marc -Antoine Fortune: 5 – ineffective.

Substitutes:

Shaun Maloney: – ineffective.

Martyn Waghorn: – made no impact.

Roger Espinoza: – not his usual energetic self.

 

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QPR 2 Wigan Athletic 1 – a spirited end of an era

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

 

Hoilett goes down under Caldwell's challenge for a penalty.

Hoilett goes down under Caldwell’s challenge for a penalty.

Charlie Austin’s extra time goal heralded not only the end of the season, but the end of an era for Wigan Athletic.

The failure to beat the Londoners over two legs means another year in the Championship for Latics and a likely exodus of many of their most skilful players. This was a brave performance, full of spirit, against a strong QPR side.

Uwe Rosler kept the same lineup that played in the first leg except bringing in James McClean for Marc-Antoine Fortune. He was to use a tactic that had worked before in producing some of Latics’ best results of the season away from home – high pressing to disrupt the opponents’ play, followed by dogged defence. But defending a 9th minute goal for the remaining 81 minutes was always going to be a mountain to climb, let alone a team was playing its 62nd game of the season having to play extra time.

James Perch typifies the Rosler approach. He has been one of the mainstays of Wigan’s revival under the German, with his willingness to run himself into the ground for the cause. Just as he did at the Etihad, Perch got himself into the six yard box to convert an excellent 9th minute cross from the lively James McClean. QPR had been bamboozled by Rosler’s tactic of using McClean and Callum McManaman to high press their centre of defence. The result was the QPR defenders hoofing long balls, gobbled up by the Wigan defence.

McClean could have added a second as he ran on to O’Neil’s backpass, but instead of trying to round goalkeeper Rob Green he chose to make a theatrical dive. A good chance went begging and the Irishman got a yellow card from Mark Clattenberg for his actions. Not long after Shaun Maloney had a shot blocked by Green, but then QPR gradually got themselves back into the game. The high pressing had gradually disappeared from Wigan’s game and Harry Redknapp moved Kevin Doyle from right midfield to support Charlie Austin up front. Moreover James McArthur, who had been excellent in the midfield pressing, had to go off with an injury after 36 minutes, Roger Espinoza replacing him. It was a different contest now.

A shell-shocked QPR were gradually getting back into the game. Carson made a fine save from a fierce drive from Niko Kranjcar and McClean cleared Austin’s header off the line. But Latics went into the dressing room at half time with their lead intact.

McClean had another fine chance after the break, going through one on one with Green, but he did not have the control to convert it. Green blocked his first effort and McClean’s effort from the rebound hit the post and went wide. Although the home team’s attacks lacked coherence, Wigan became besieged. They could not hold on to the ball, the defenders hoofing it over the midfield to forwards who had little chance of retrieving it. Wigan’s three central defenders – Emmerson Boyce, Gary Caldwell and Rob Kiernan – had been superb in defence, repelling Rangers’ attacks.

Redknapp had brought on Korean left back Suk Yun-Young after 50 minutes for the combative Clint Hill, who had been lucky to survive the first leg after his deliberate elbowing of Kiernan. The pattern of play continued, with Latics unable to hold the ball and QPR applying pressure, but not convincingly. However, Redknapp’s substitution of big target man Bobby Zamora after 65 minutes for Doyle was to change the course of the game. Zamora’s striking rate is comparable with that of Fortune, but his physical presence and experience was to make the difference.

McManaman was replaced by Martyn Waghorn in the 71st minute. A couple of minutes later Zamora interchanged passes with Junior Hoilett who was brought down by a reckless challenge by Caldwell just inside the penalty box. Austin converted the penalty with ease. Moreover Caldwell had been injured in the challenge and had to be substituted by Leon Barnett. Zamora continued to cause problems and almost sealed it for QPR near the end of normal time, but his lob passed over Carson’s crossbar.

The game went into extra time with Latics playing with spirit, but the hoofing continued. The decisive goal came in the 96th minute when Zamora helped the ball through to Austin who got to it much quicker than Barnett to beat Carson. The final minutes of extra time saw Barnett pushed forward as Latics pumped in high balls. In the final minute a deflected shot from Kiernan passed narrowly wide of Green’s goal. It was not to be Wigan’s day.

The Good

The energy and passion shown by a Latics team playing its 62nd game of the season was truly exceptional. It was cruel that the game went into extra time, but those tired legs kept running to the bitter end.

The backline of Boyce, Caldwell and Kiernan had been immense in repelling the waves of QPR attacks until the penalty. It looked like Rosler’s gamble of starting Caldwell, who had played less than a handful of games in a year, was going to pay off until that fateful moment in the 73rd minute.

Rosler’s tactic of blitzing QPR from the start worked well. High pressing and a high level of physical fitness are key elements of the German’s approach to football and the players responded well, at least for the first quarter of the game. Starting without a centre forward was a brave ploy that almost came off.

It was sad to see Caldwell so visibly distraught on the sidelines after giving away the penalty and having to be substituted. It looks like his Wigan Athletic playing career is over. Up until that 73rd minute he had looked like the great defender and leader that he was in the closing part of the 2011-12 season when Latics ensured Premier League survival through beating the elite. He has also had some calamitous moments for Latics over the years, making rash tackles such as the one that turned this game. For some fans he has been a hero, for others a scapegoat.

Uwe Rosler deserves immense credit for the way he has lifted the club since the dark days of Owen Coyle. Reaching the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and the Championship playoffs has been a great achievement.

The Bad

Roberto Martinez would have scratched his eyes out if he had seen his team throw away possession as Latics have done, not only in this match, but in many others over these past months. Rosler has cut out the excessive sideways and backwards passing that could be so frustrating during the Martinez era. He has also tightened up the centre of defence. But he has not cut out the hoofing that started to rear its ugly head under Owen Coyle.

When a team “parks its bus”, as Latics did after scoring, it is important to hold on to the ball as much as possible. QPR did it fairly effectively at the DW last week.

In this match the Wigan defenders were once again prone to the big hoof, none more so than the goalkeeper. Carson is a fine ‘keeper, with a very powerful kick. But during Coyle’s reign he was making those long, speculative clearances and under Rosler he continues to do so.

The hoof is a part of Wigan’s play that needs to be cut out if Rosler is to maintain the continued support of Latics fans who have an expectation of good football.

Player Ratings

Scott Carson: 8 – a terrific defensive display. He made some fine saves and inspired confidence in his defence. Distribution poor.

James Perch: 8 – an excellent display. Took his goal well.

Emmerson Boyce: 9 –superb in his reading of the game. The best player on the pitch.

Gary Caldwell: 8 – excellent until the rush of blood for the penalty.

Rob Kiernan: 8 – excellent in defence.

Jean Beausejour: 6 – has not been at his best in recent weeks. Has a long summer ahead with the World Cup.

James McArthur: – led the high pressing with expertise. Badly missed when he went off after 36 minutes.

Jordi Gomez: 7 – not at his best, but got through a lot of work.

Shaun Maloney: 6 – still not at his sharpest.

Callum McManaman: 7 – worked hard closing the opposition down, but never received the service to make him more of a threat. When he was taken off after 71 minutes it dulled the Latics attack.

James McClean: 7.5 – an enigma once again. Worked so hard closing down the opposition and his powerful running was a constant threat to the QPR defence. His fine cross led to Latics’ goal. With better finishing he could have won the game for Wigan. What a pity.

Substitutes

Roger Espinoza: 7 – came on after 36 minutes. He was his usual energetic self, always involved, playing at high tempo.

Leon Barnett: – came on after 73 minutes. Has not been able to regain his previously good form since his injury at Ipswich.

Martyn Waghorn: – came after 71 minutes. Retrieving high balls is not his forte.

 

 

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Burnley 2 Wigan Athletic 0 – Rosler gets it wrong

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Match Reports, Other and tagged with , ,
Uwe Rosler could not get his tactics right this time.

Uwe Rosler could not get his tactics right this time.

“We’ve all got to take lessons from the performance, myself included” said Uwe Rosler post-match.

So often since his arrival Rosler has got his tactics just right. This time he got them totally wrong. Playing hoofball was never going to be the way to get a result at Burnley. It played into the home team’s hands.

Rosler made his usual rotations with Stephen Crainey, Jack Collison, James McClean and Marc-Antoine Fortune coming into the starting lineup, The German adopted a 4-3-3 formation, with McClean playing wide on the right and Beausejour on the left.

The Urban Dictionary describes hoofball as involving the ‘hoof”, a long punt up the pitch by either the goalkeeper or defenders, making sure that the ball travels at least 40 yards in the air. Wigan Athletic’s tactics in the first half at Turf Moor were precisely that.

The result was the ball pinging back and putting pressure on a shaky Latics defence. The left hand side of defence had looked particularly vulnerable and it came as no surprise when Burnley went ahead after 22 minutes. They broke through at pace on Wigan’s left, Dean Marney evading Leon Barnett and putting over a fine cross converted by Ashley Barnes as he timed his run perfectly, ahead of Emmerson Boyce. Soon after Burnley almost got another one through the same players linking up, but Barnes’ effort was saved by Al-Habsi.

Burnley were playing that brand of direct football that Bolton used to employ under Sam Allardyce. Their two strikers Danny Ings and Ashley Barnes were causing Latics’ central defenders problems as Burnley constantly sought them out. Wigan’s sole central striker, Fortune, was having a torrid time out there given the horrendous service he was receiving. However, from Wigan’s first meaningful attack he had a fine header hit the crossbar from a Jordi Gomez free kick, Boyce putting the rebound wide.

Soon after an elbow from Barnes gave Boyce a gash on his forehead. The Burnley player received a yellow card, but Boyce was clearly incensed. The home team continued to dominate and went 2-0 up in the 42nd minute with a superb inswinging free kick from Michael Kightley from the left, which evaded Al-Habsi and the Latics defence. It appeared that the ball had glanced Crainey’s head on the way into the far corner of the net.

With Latics looking set for a hiding, Rosler had to do something at half time. He brought on Callum McManaman for Gomez and Rob Kiernan for the hapless Crainey, reverting to 3-4-3. McManaman looked lively from the start, but Burnley had clearly done their homework and singled him out for physical treatment.

Kightly once again looked dangerous and had a powerful shot go narrowly wide of the post in the 49th minute after he had run through from the half way line. McClean had switched to the left flank, after a torrid first half on the right, and was beginning to find some space. However, his final ball once again left much to be desired. Sheer persistence on the part of Fortune enabled him to get between the defence and the goalkeeper, but his effort was saved.  Ings had a fine effort hit the post. Soon after Boyce had a header go wide.

In the 67th minute Al-Habsi made a fine save from a David Jones free kick. Burnley continued to look dangerous and in the 80th minute Barnes hit a rasping volley that was parried away by Al-Habsi.

The final whistle led to Burnley celebrating their promotion back to the Premier League – a remarkable achievement on a relatively low budget.

The Good

Following the tactical switch at half time Latics had a more balanced look, but in all truth Burnley could still have added more to the score.

The Bad

Wigan’s football in the first half was reminiscent of the darkest of days under Owen Coyle. Burnley’s high pressing put pressure on Wigan defenders and they responded by hoofing the ball. The midfield was largely by-passed but when they did get the ball they were unable to do much with it. Even Jordi Gomez ended up putting through long punts, which were hopeful at best.

At times in that first half it appeared that Latics players were actually following instructions by playing those long, hopeful passes. Wigan have done this under Rosler before, but this time they were made to pay the price.

Wigan were unrecognizable from the side that had played such stylish football against Arsenal and Reading. One longed for the cultured touch of Shaun Maloney, but Rosler resisted the opportunity to bring him on. Roger Espinoza and Martyn Waghorn did not even make the bench. However, Waghorn appeared to have an injury after going off against Reading. Like Maloney, Espinoza has had a lay-off due to injury and in the long-run Rosler’s decision not to use either might well prove to be right.

So often over the past weeks Latics have had dips in their form that could be attributed to sheer tiredness, given the number of games they have had to play. Fatigue may have played a part in this performance too, but it was the approach that was more of a concern in this game.

Player Ratings

Ali Al-Habsi: 5.5 – made some good saves, but looked nervy. Poor distribution.

James Perch: 5 – way below his best.

Emmerson Boyce: 5 – rattled by the injury he received from Barnes’ elbow. Below his best.

Leon Barnett: 5 – lacked composure. Poor distribution.

Stephen Crainey: 4.5 – ineffective. Taken off at half time.

James McArthur: 5 – could not impose himself in midfield. Looked jaded.

Jack Collison: 4.5 – very disappointing.

Jordi Gomez: 5 – marked out of the game. Taken off at half time.

James McClean: 4.5 – anonymous in the first half. Distribution poor. Substituted after 77 minutes.

Marc-Antoine Fortune: 5.5 – toiled unsupported against the robust Burnley central defenders. Unlucky with his header that hit the bar.

Jean Beausejour : 5 – below his best.

Substitutes:

Callum McManaman: – heavily marked, but tried to breathe life into the attack after being brought on after half time.

Rob Kiernan: -looked Latics most composed defender after coming on at half time.

Nicky Maynard: – came on for McClean after 77 minutes.

Arsenal 1 Wigan Athletic 1 – valiant Latics go out on penalties

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Match Reports

Arsene Wenger

Wigan Athletic gave as fine a performance as one could possibly expect, despite going down 4-2 on penalties to Arsenal after extra time. The leaps of joy from the Arsenal players on winning the shootout was testimony to the relief they must have felt. Latics had been leading until the 82nd  minute when a miskick led to a Gunners goal. It is a testimony to Uwe Rosler’s game plan and the commitment and quality shown by his players that they were only minutes away from another Wembley final.

Rosler surprised us by fielding a flat back four with Emmerson Boyce and Ivan Ramis in the centre of defence and James Perch and Stephen Crainey at full back. James McArthur, Josh McEachran and Jordi Gomez lined up in midfield, with Callum McManaman and Jean Beausejour nominally supporting Marc Antoine Fortune up front.

Arsenal put early pressure on Latics, particularly on the right where Oxlade-Chamberlain looked dangerous. He produced a superb cross that Sanogo headed towards goal, Carson making a terrific reflex save. However, after that initial 15 minutes Latics were starting to look more composed and their game plan was stifling their expensive opponents.

Sagna hit the ball wide after Vermaelen had headed a corner in his direction after 26 minutes, but Latics continued to fight their way back into the game, looking more composed. Callum McManaman was looking lively and he put a good effort just wide after cutting into the penalty box. Jean Beausejour had dropped back to cover the danger from Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Perch was giving Podolski no breathing space on the other flank.

Latics continued to frustrate Arsenal as the second half progressed. Their pressing in midfield nullified the passing movements one normally expects from the Gunners and Latics were playing composed football. Sensationally Latics were to gain a penalty in the 63rd minute as McManaman was tripped by Mertesacker as he sped across the penalty box teeing up a shot. The penalty was delayed with the injured Monreal being taken off, but Gomez showed great temperament by dispatching the penalty past Fabianski. Ironically he placed it to the right of Fabianski in a similar way to the one that was saved at Bolton, but it was good enough to beat the Polish ‘keeper.

A minute later Rosler took off McEachran, bringing on Jack Collison. Four minutes after that he took off McManaman, who had been Latics’ most dangerous player, for Nick Powell. Arsenal brought on Giroud for Podolski and started to play a more direct game, putting Latics under pressure. Sagna headed against the post, then Carson made a superb parry from a Gibbs header, with Crainey somehow clearing it off the line.  Sadly Latics’ defensive heroics were undone eight minutes from time when the unmarked Mertesacker headed in a scuffed shot from Gibbs.

The excellent Ramis limped off after 86 minutes to be surprisingly replaced by Gary Caldwell, with Leon Barnett remaining on the bench. It was the club captain’s first senior outing for close on a year. Latics held on in the closing minutes of normal time.

Extra time was a cruel consequence for a Wigan Athletic outfit that had already played more games than any other team in the country. However, they maintained their organization and composure in extra time despite close calls with Carson making a fine save from Sanogo and Oxlade-Chamberlain hitting the underside of the crossbar.

The match went to penalties, but Latics just did not have the depth in that department. Caldwell and Collison had the first two penalties saved and although McArthur and Beausejour dispatched their’s with aplomb, it was not enough, as the Gunners scored four out of four.

The Good

A superb display, brilliantly choreographed by Rosler. As at the Etihad in the previous round he got his tactics just right and Latics were within a whisker of pulling off a spectacular victory against great odds.

The defence was superb with Boyce and Ramis showing their class and composure. The midfield worked so hard to nullify the Arsenal threat.

McManaman was back to his best, clearly enjoying his return to Wembley.

Rosler stuck his neck out by putting in Carson for Al-Habsi, but the Cumbrian was superb. The German did it once again by bringing in Caldwell to replace Ramis, but the Scot did a fine job in defence.

The Bad

The performance cannot be faulted. However, taking off McManaman so early in the proceedings took some pressure off Arsenal, even if he was suffering from cramp.

Rosler was not in a position to name five good candidates for a penalty shootout. If Ramis had not gone off, maybe Shaun Maloney would have come on and he has shown his skills with penalties in the past. Both Caldwell and Collison were brave in stepping up for the first two, but their efforts were saved. Why the self-assured Powell did not take one is hard to understand.

Player Ratings:

Scott Carson: 9 – a superb display.

James Perch: 8 – superb defensively, nullifying the threat of Podolski.

Emmerson Boyce: 8.5 – marshaled his defence superbly, looking a class player in the process.

Ivan Ramis: 8 – another quality display. Let’s hope his injury is not serious.

Stephen Crainey: 8 – a fine display. He has been improving game by game under Rosler.

James McArthur: 8 – a typical display from this fine player, full of industry and cultured passing.

Josh McEachran: 7 – so busy protecting his defence and not wasting the ball. A pity he had to be taken off. Taken off after 68 minutes.  One wonders when he will be fit for the full 90 minutes.

Jordi Gomez: 8.5 – excellent in all areas, covering so much ground and keeping possession under pressure.

Callum McMananan: 8 – looked like the player who electrified Manchester City last year. Let’s hope he can do this again in what remains of the season. Taken off after 64 minutes.

Marc Antoine Fortune: 7 – worked hard despite being so closely marked.

Jean Beausejour: 7 – the threat on Arsenal’s right flank kept him pegged back. In reality played a midfield, rather than a forward,  role.

Substitutes:

Jack Collison: – always ready to receive the ball, worked hard, but found the going tough.

Nick Powell: – could not stamp his mark on the game.

Gary Caldwell: – did well after such a long absence.

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Wigan Athletic 1 Leeds United 0 – little in entertainment but three more points for Latics

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

 

Martyn Waghorn celebrated his permanent contract with his fourth goal in Latics colours.

Martyn Waghorn celebrated his permanent contract with his fourth goal in Latics colours.

Some say that for teams challenging for promotion at this time of the season it is the points that count, not the entertainment. So it could be said that Wigan Athletic did what was needed by gaining a welcome three points at the expense of visitors Leeds United. Following a run of three league matches without a win, it was important to consolidate a place in the top six. However, entertainment it was not.

Uwe Rosler made just two changes from the side that had lined up in midweek against Leicester. Callum McManaman and Martyn Waghorn came in for Jack Collison and Nicky Maynard.

In reality there were few moments of good football in this game. Latics appeared tired and were clearly not relishing the task of taking on a very physical Leeds side. Michael Brown typified the visitors’ approach. The 37 year old riled the home crowd with a series of challenges and niggles, reminiscent of his time at Wigan in the Steve Bruce era. He had managed to largely shackle Jordi Gomez until the Spaniard produced Latics only worthy effort on goal in the first 30 minutes, a fine shot from distance curling narrowly wide.

Latics were to go ahead in the 33rd minute after James McArthur slalomed around the edge of the area, going down under a Leeds challenge. However, from the loose ball Waghorn scored with a low shot which goalkeeper Jack Butland should have stopped. Ten minutes later, and much to his displeasure, Brown received a yellow card for a foul on Gomez.

Latics started the second half with James Perch having a good shot deflected over the top by Stephen Warnock. Latics brought on Collison for Nick Powell after 55 minutes, James McClean for McManaman after 62 minutes and Marc Antoine Fortune for Waghorn on the 68 minute mark. However, the substitutions were to have little effect and the mediocre football continued until the final whistle.

The match statistics reflected the way it had gone – Ali Al-Habsi having to make just one save, Butland two. Leeds had committed sixteen fouls, to Latics’ seven. Ironically it was Wigan who received more yellow cards, with three against Leeds’ two.

Swelled by the away support, the attendance of 16,443 was the largest at the DW Stadium since the visit of Burnley in December. They deserved better entertainment than this.

The Good

The three points puts Latics nine points ahead of Bournemouth, Brighton, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest who head the pack just below the play-off spots, all on 58 points. With only six games to go, Wigan are getting closer to securing a top six finish.

The Bad

After the match Rosler admitted his mistake of making only two changes from the lineup that had run themselves into the ground against Leicester. Too many players were clearly not up to it physically.

Once again Shaun Maloney was left on the bench, but given the way the skilful Gomez had been treated by the visitors, Rosler was probably right not to bring the Scot on.

Leeds showed themselves to be one of those uncompromising physical teams that are scattered around in the Championship division. Were this to have been a Premier League game there would have surely have been oodles of yellow cards issued. Championship referees are clearly more lenient.

Player Ratings

Ali Al-Habsi: 6 – largely unemployed.

James Perch: 5 – has not been at his best recently. Maybe still troubled by injury?

Emmerson Boyce: 6 – solid in defence.

Ivan Ramis: 6 – ditto.

Rob Kiernan: 6 – ditto.

Stephen Crainey: 5 – lacks the finesse and vision of Jean Beausejour at wing back, but worked hard.

James McArthur: 7 – despite playing an excessive number of games without a break he continues to be a key performer. Let’s hope he can stay fit and sharp for the play-offs, assuming Latics get there.

Jordi Gomez: 5 – a marked man, not on top of his game.

Callum McManaman: 5 – disappointing. Taken off after 62 minutes.

Martyn Waghorn: 6 – celebrated receiving his permanent contract with an opportunist goal. Worked hard as usual. Now has 4 goals and 4 assists in his 10 starts. Taken off after 68 minutes.

Nick Powell: 5 – clearly not yet fully match-fit. He will not be able to reach the crowd’s expectations of him until he regains full fitness. Went off after 55 minutes.

Substitutes:

Jack Collison, James McClean, Marc Antoine Fortune – could not make much impact on the game.

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