Category Archives: Other

Garcia ready to step in for Latics

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

Juan Carlos Garcia (left) ready to step in for Latics.

When Juan Carlos Garcia was signed last summer it looked like he was going to be the natural successor for Maynor Figueroa.

Like ‘Figgy’ he was an experienced Honduran international, in his mid-twenties, who had come from Honduras’ top club – Olimpia of Tegucigalpa – with the ambition of being successful in England. He was to be another in the line of Honduran footballers at Wigan following in the steps of Wilson Palacios, Hendry Thomas, Figueroa and Roger Espinoza. Garcia got himself known on a world stage in February 2013 through a spectacular goal for his country in a World Cup qualifier against the USA, assisted by Figueroa.

Like Figueroa, Garcia is a left back who can also play in the centre of defence. The left back position has been problematic for Latics this season. Stephen Crainey played there at the beginning of the season, to be replaced by James Perch. That gave Latics more defensive solidity, but Perch was limited in attacking skills, playing on his ‘wrong side’. At times Owen Coyle would draft in Jean Beausejour at left back. The arrival of Uwe Rosler saw the Chilean being used more in that position, with Crainey rotated in as a wing back when Latics played with a line of three central defenders.

After six years at Blackpool, Crainey struggled to adapt to his new playing environment in the first half of the season. Being played at wing back relieved some of the defensive pressure on him and he started to grow in confidence.

Beausejour’s preferred position is wing back. Ironically when Latics have played with three central defenders it has been, more often than not, Crainey who has been played at left wing back. Apart from the occasional game on the left wing Beausejour has been played largely at left back, not his best position.

In the last two games the left hand side of Latics defence has looked vulnerable. At Burnley it was Crainey partnering Leon Barnett on the left, then it was Beausejour against Blackpool.

Rosler might well choose to revert to a 3-5-2 formation for the remaining two league games, bringing in Rob Kiernan as an extra centre back. However, if he opts to go for a flat back four he could do worse than put in Garcia at left back.

Figueroa made 148 appearances over five seasons for Latics and has been badly missed this season at left back. However, when he first arrived in January 2008 he had to wait months before making his debut as a substitute three months later. His first start was in the last match of the 2007-08 season facing Cristiano Ronaldo.

Garcia did not have to wait quite so long, making his debut in Latics’ 5-0 League Cup debacle at Manchester City in late September. Coyle played him in a wide position in left midfield. Since then he has had some injury problems, but has overcome them, making regular appearances for the development squad.

Will Garcia get his second chance before the season ends?

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Wigan Athletic 0 Blackpool 2 – missed penalty changes history

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

Wgpen

Wigan Athletic went into this match the clear favourites against relegation-haunted Blackpool, but a missed penalty after 20 minutes was the turning point. It was a surprise to us all when Martyn Waghorn strode up to take the penalty ahead of Shaun Maloney and Jordi Gomez. Sadly for Latics, Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks guessed right and made a superb save from a firmly hit shot that was going into the corner.

Following the penalty miss, Blackpool came more and more into the game scored two opportunist goals and in the end left Latics on their knees.

Uwe Rosler put forward what looked like his strongest lineup, given the players at his disposal. The same group of players who had outclassed promotion challengers Reading, eight days ago.

Latics made a solid start and it looked like Blackpool were there to play for a draw. Wigan were matching them physically and looking dangerous down their left with Shaun Maloney pulling the strings. The Tangerines left only one player up front, Andy Keogh, and it looked easy for Emmerson Boyce and Leon Barnett in the early stages. Waghorn had a chance from 12 yards but could not deliver.

On the 20 minute mark Maloney went down in the box following a tackle by right back Tony McMahon. It looked like Maloney fell over the ball and McMahon was not happy with the Scot’s fall. Referee Any D’Urso gave a penalty that Waghorn spurned. Soon after Waghorn completely fluffed it in front of goal after a good move led to Roger Espinoza putting in a great cross to his feet.

Latics were to become either ponderous in their build up, allowing the visitors’ defence too much time, or they were launching long balls from defence that Waghorn had no chance of getting, being a lone centre forward against big defenders, without support. They had a wake-up call just before half time when Neal Bishop went close in the six yard box.

At half time Rosler took off the unfortunate Waghorn and put Nick Powell at centre forward. Latics continued to play in the same way, but Blackpool started to throw more men forward . They scored in the 60th minute when Andy Keogh beat Boyce to a cross from the right from Isiah Osborne, his header putting Blackpool ahead.

Latics pressed but Powell put a header wide and Maloney put a free kick over the crossbar.

Roger Espinoza was replaced by Marc-Antoine Fortune after 69 minutes. A minute later Keogh was to rub salt in Latics’ wounds later when he once again evaded Latics’ centre of defence, pulling the ball back from the by-line for the unmarked Stephen Dobbie to fire into the net. Barnett and Beausejour had looked exposed with no midfield cover in sight.

The second goal sank Latics psychologically. James McClean came on for Maloney after 79 minutes, but Wigan’s fight had gone out of them.

It was a sad sight to see so many of the season’s best home crowd of 19,137 leaving well before the end.

Blackpool were well deserved winners in the end and the result might well keep them in the Championship next season.

The Good

Results in matches like this can be balanced on a knife edge. If Waghorn had managed to put way the penalty Latics could well have gone on to win by 3 or 4 goals. It was not to be.

Latics had done so well to get to this stage of the season in such a strong position, despite the lack of a regular goalscorer. It hurt them once more today. They could have put Blackpool away in the first half hour if their finishing had been clinical.

Key players continue to do what they can, but are clearly jaded. Even the energetic and demanding Rosler had no way he could pull the strings of a side that looked desperately jaded in the second half.

This result is a set-back, but it would be a mistake to write Latics off. They are still in with a good chance of qualifying for the play-offs and it will do them no harm going in there as out of form underdogs.

All credit to Blackpool for a hard earned victory.

The Bad

The performance of Jordi Gomez today opened the floodgates for his critics. They would say he back to his previous self – taking too much time on the ball and passing it sideways. However, his fans would say that there was so little movement around him that he had few options.

On paper Latics should have dispatched a mediocre Blackpool team. But the lack of movement following the penalty miss was plain to see. Put simply, Latics looked desperately jaded.

When behind on previous occasions in the last quarter of the game under Rosler they have gone aggressively at the opposition. More often than not,  Rosler’s substitutions helped. This time the substitutes gave no uplift.

Why was Waghorn taking the penalty ahead of Maloney and Gomez?

In reality Blackpool got three good crosses into the box and scored from two of them.

A match best forgotten. Let’s move on to the next.

Player Ratings

Al Al-Habsi: 6 – had little to do, except pick the ball out of net twice.

James Perch: 6 – solid.

Emmerson Boyce: 6 –looking tired. Not at his best.

Leon Barnett: 6 – good in the air, but exposed for pace again.

Jean Beausejour: 5.5 – faded in the second half.

James McArthur: 5 – way below his customary level. Needs a rest.

Roger Espinoza: 6 – always involved.

Jordi Gomez: 6.5 – it is hard to criticize a player who covered so much ground. He was not his at his best and frustrating at times, but still gave his all for the cause.

Callum McManaman: 5.5 – largely neutralized by Blackpool full back Halliday, probably their best player.

Martyn Waghorn: 5 – out of touch.

Shaun Maloney: 6 – good early on, but struggled before being substituted after 79 minutes.

Substitutes:

Nick Powell: – poor.

Marc-Antoine Fortune: – poor.

James McClean: – poor.

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Latics could give Blackpool a hiding

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

 

Ex-Blackpool player Stephen Crainey thinks the game is massive for both sides.

The word “massive” has become an integral part of the modern day footballers’ vocabulary. In everyday English it roughly translates to “important”, but it can also signify “crucial”.

Ex-Blackpool player Stephen Crainey used it this week when he described Saturday’s clash with his old club as “a massive game for both sides”.

In reality the game is more “massive” for Blackpool than Latics. The Tangerines are in the drop zone, being in 22nd place, with only two games left. Failure to get at least a point at the DW Stadium on Saturday would put them in severe danger of relegation. On the other hand Wigan have three games left in which they need to amass the three points needed to secure a playoff spot.

Six months have passed since the Seasiders beat Owen Coyle’s Wigan Athletic in a bad tempered match at Bloomfield Road. It seems like an eternity. Latics have since been transformed by Uwe Rosler and their presence in the playoff zone is giving the other teams up there lots of food for thought.

On the other hand Blackpool have been in a downward spiral since then. Manager Paul Ince was sacked in January and his son Tom, their star player, went to Crystal Palace. Experienced Scottish international midfielder, Barry Ferguson, took over as player-manager on a temporary basis. At the time Blackpool were in 14th place, nine points outside the top six, eight points above the relegation zone.

Despite a run of poor results the 36 year-old Ferguson remains popular with their fans, whose anger and frustration is being vented more towards Chairman Karl Oyston. In a recent home defeat to Burnley fans threw tennis balls and tangerines on to the pitch, twice holding up play, in protest against the Chairman. The anger is down to a perceived unwillingness of Oyston to invest in the club the profit made from their time in the Premier League a couple of years ago, together with not appointing a manager on a permanent basis.

Blackpool come into the match following an invaluable point gained in a 1-1 draw at promotion hopefuls Brighton, after having lost 12 of their previous 15 away games. They will have ample support at the DW Stadium on Saturday through Oyston providing 3,000 free tickets for season ticket holders which were quickly snapped up. Moreover the Blackpool Supporters Association are providing them with free transport.

However, it looks like the Tangerines may be without talisman Ricardo Fuller through injury. They have not won a game without him since he made his debut in August. Blackpool have scored just 36 goals in 44 league matches this season, only Charlton having scored less.

Wigan Athletic go into this match with a far superior squad to that of their opponents. Moreover manager Uwe Rosler is likely to put forward his strongest lineup, in order to secure the playoff spot. Latics have had some poor results against teams in the lower reaches of the division, but they see this game as important and they will be up for it.

With a solid defence, a midfield trio of McArthur, Espinoza and Gomez and the likes of Maloney, McManaman, Powell and Waghorn up front Latics look far too good for their Lancashire neighbours.

If Latics play at the level they displayed a week ago against Reading, Blackpool will be in for a hiding.

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Rosler getting ready for QPR in the playoffs

Posted by JJ (Tony) in Other, Specials and tagged with , , , ,
QPR Manager Harry Redknapp will be expecting a difficult encounter

QPR manager Harry Redknapp can expect a difficult encounter with Wigan Athletic in the playoffs.

Barring major surprises, Wigan Athletic will host Queens Park Rangers on Friday, May 9th in the Championship playoffs. The return match at Loftus Road will take place the following Monday, May 12th. Both games will start at 7:45 pm.

Latics need only one win from their final three leagues matches to make certain of their playoff place. QPR are six points ahead of Wigan and are likely to finish in fourth place. Reading are three points behind, but Latics have a game in hand over the Royals and a superior goal difference. Derby are five points ahead of QPR with a far superior goal difference. They will surely pick up one point from their last two games to guarantee a third place position where they will be up against the sixth placed team, which could be one of a handful of clubs.

The past months have been a rollercoaster ride for Wigan Athletic. Since Uwe Rosler’s first game in charge away to Maribor on December 12th until the last one at Burnley, Latics played 31 matches in 129 days. During that time they lost a Europa League game and won four and drew two in the FA Cup, losing to a penalty shoot-out. In the league their record has been W13 D6 L5, giving them 45 points from 24 played, very close to Rosler’s often stated target of an average of two points per game.

Latics had suffered five consecutive defeats before Rosler’s arrival and his team has played more games since then than any other team in the four divisions. To get so close to another FA Cup Final and to be sitting in a healthy position in the playoff zone of the Championship is a testament to the remarkable effect Rosler has had on the club.

With so many matches coming up Rosler acted shrewdly in the January transfer window, offloading the misfiring Grant Holt to Aston Villa and Nouha Dicko to Wolves. In their place he brought in a handful of loan players plus another on a short term contract. He tried to transfer out the highly salaried Ivan Ramis, but neither Cardiff nor Crystal Palace were satisfied with his medical condition. Ramis has since been excellent in the centre of defence and a key player in Latics’ push for promotion. He has had further injury problems – currently out through a hamstring strain – but no recurrence of the knee injury that prevented his transfer.

The loanees have clearly played a major role since their arrival, some more than others. At this stage it looks like only one will be staying – Martyn Waghorn who has since signed a long term contract. However, the loanees will continue to have a part to play as the regular season moves into the playoffs.

Rosler will be keen to secure that playoff place on Saturday with a victory over a Blackpool side struggling against relegation. He would then be in a position to rest his key players before the playoffs start. The key triumvirate of Emmerson Boyce, James McArthur and James Perch looked jaded on Monday and Rosler needs them to be at their sharpest in the playoffs.

Wigan’s recent form has been inconsistent over recent weeks, with the highs of beating such as Manchester City contrasting with the lows of losing at home to relegation candidates like Millwall. However, it is in the playoffs that they need to peak. Were Wigan to beat Blackpool this weekend and lose their remaining two league matches it would be of little consequence. Indeed we would probably see more than a little “rotation” for those games.

Rosler will be keen to have all his key players firing on all cylinders during the playoffs.

Nick Powell has been disappointing since his return from injury, but Rosler will surely continue to keep the Manchester United player in his plans. One moment of individual brilliance from him could be sufficient to win a vital playoff game. Media hype about the young man’s future cannot be helping, let alone the uncertainty of who will be in charge at Old Trafford next season. Powell remains young and his game lacks maturity, but he could play a key role in the playoffs.

The promising return of Shaun Maloney from long-term injury and the improved form of Callum McManaman give Latics much room for optimism. Moreover Jordi Gomez has been playing the best football in his five years at the club. Latics might lack a regular goalscorer but they are strong in terms of having players with creative and attacking flair.

James McClean has had a disappointing time over recent weeks, but could still make an impact in the playoffs. When he scored two opportunist goals at Ipswich he looked sharp and confident, but since then his finishing has so often disappointed. The Irishman is clearly a confidence player who needs a run of games before the end of the regular season. His pace can threaten any defence and he can never be faulted for effort. He is a rough diamond who Rosler needs to continue to work with. It could well be that playing on the wing is not ultimately his best position. With his pace, energy and tackling ability he could well develop into a holding midfield player or full back.

The return of Roger Espinoza from a hernia operation is good news for Rosler. The German will have to ease the Honduran back in gradually, but he is the obvious partner for the admirable James McArthur in central midfield. Josh McEachran is a fine player, but has lacked fitness since his arrival and has not even been on the bench in the last two games. Rosler needs him fit for the playoffs.

Rosler will be hoping that Ramis will be back to fitness for the playoffs. He has played particularly well alongside Boyce in the centre of defence. With the two together there is not only defensive solidity, but cultured passing from the back. The German might well go for a back line of three central defenders with Leon Barnett joining them. He also has Rob Kiernan available, who has done a good job so far, but lacks the experience of playing in the high pressure atmosphere the playoffs will generate.

James Perch has become an automatic choice in Rosler’s lineups and deservedly so. Too often in his career he has had to play in a variety of positions, but under Rosler he has established himself as a right back or right wing back. Perch’s defensive work is excellent and his attacking has improved considerably over these months.

Jean Beausejour is best employed as a wing back, but has also been employed as a full back and a winger under Rosler. He remains the best alternative on the left of defence.

Rosler is blessed in the goalkeeping department with Ali Al-Habsi and Scott Carson competing for a place. Exciting young prospect Lee Nicholls will have to bide his time for the moment with those two capable and experienced ‘keepers ahead of him.

The first step towards potential success in the playoffs is to beat Blackpool on Saturday. Rosler will surely field his strongest lineup. With the playoff place secured he can then rest his key players and focus on what promise to be two tricky games against a strong QPR side.

Rosler has done so well up to this point. He has the players capable of taking Latics back to the Premier League and he has shown himself to be tactically astute.

QPR will not relish the prospect of facing Wigan Athletic in a little over two weeks’ time.

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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.