Tag Archives: football

Wigan Athletic Under Ryan Lowe: From Grit to Something Greater?

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

Wigan Athletic’s time under Ryan Lowe has really been one built on grit. In football, “grinding out results” basically means doing whatever you need to get points, even if it’s a slog. It’s about being organised, disciplined, and prepared to battle for everything. In a league as tight and physical as League One, that kind of mentality often matters more than pretty football. Managers want players who stay switched on, stick to the plan, and don’t fall apart under pressure. It’s not always thrilling to watch, but it turns bad days into draws and half-chances into big wins.

When Lowe arrived in March 2025, Wigan were in a lower mid-table position and seriously struggling for goals — bottom of the league in that department. They weren’t heading straight for relegation, but the season had drifted. Lowe’s arrival felt like a reset — new ideas, fresh energy, and a chance to stabilise things.

Before long, the team leaned fully into that scrappy, hard-working identity. They finished the season in 15th, mostly because they became tougher mentally and harder to beat. They clawed back deficits, held onto narrow leads, and looked like a side willing to dig in. Not glamorous, but effective.

Over the summer, Lowe shaped the squad to fit his preferred 3-1-4-2. That system relies heavily on wing-backs, and the opening game of the new season showed exactly why. Joe Hungbo and Fraser Murray were excellent in the 3-1 win over Northampton — a scoreline that honestly could’ve been bigger. The first 20 minutes were messy and disjointed, but Murray’s goal around the half-hour settled everyone down and suddenly the team looked much more like a unit.

Of course, settling into a new shape and integrating new signings takes time. The early weeks were a mix of positives and frustrations: solid performances, some good results, but also draws where Wigan should’ve taken more. Opposition managers quickly figured out how dangerous the wing-backs were, so Hungbo and Murray started getting much more attention defensively. That’s League One — once you show a threat, everyone finds a way to make life difficult.

After eight league games, Wigan were sitting at W3 D3 L2 with 13 goals scored and 9 conceded — decent, but clearly still a work in progress. Then came Bolton. Wigan had enjoyed a strong record against them recently, and fans saw it as a genuine benchmark of their progress.

But Bolton, led by Steven Schumacher, were flying. They went with two natural wingers and caused Wigan’s wing-backs all sorts of problems. Latics were second best throughout, losing 4-1, and the fans were furious. They felt the team didn’t show enough fight and that Lowe hadn’t treated the derby with the importance it deserved. They even pointed out the lack of cards — Wigan picked up one yellow, Bolton none — which raised questions about the passion and intensity on display.

It did feel like Lowe misjudged the moment. Derbies aren’t just about points; they’re about pride and emotion. If that wasn’t fully communicated to the players, it could explain the flat performance. And once fans start questioning desire, the pressure ramps right up.

The Bolton defeat hit confidence hard. The football tightened up, became more cautious, and the spark in the final third faded. Lowe leaned further into defence-first thinking, which made sense in the moment but dulled the attacking edge even more. The injury to Ryan Trevitt made things worse — without their most creative midfielder, Wigan lacked imagination. The wing-backs also had to focus more on defending, meaning they weren’t getting forward as freely.

All of this made Wigan more solid, but not exactly entertaining. The challenge now is finding the right balance — keeping that grit without switching off the creativity.

As it stands, Latics sit 11th with a record of W6 D7 L5. They’re definitely harder to beat, and while fans still daydream about a run toward the Championship, Lowe has sensibly played that down, treating promotion as a long-term aim rather than something immediate. His popularity has dipped during the rough spells — some fans have even called for him to be sacked, others are simply bored by the football. But given how many managers Wigan have chewed through over the past decade, stability is badly needed. Lowe deserves the time to build something properly.

His spell at Preston is a useful comparison. In his first full Championship season there, they started with a 0-0 at the DW — one of FIVE goalless draws in their first six games. They had one of the smallest budgets in the league, yet still finished 12th. Not spectacular, but quietly impressive.

This season, Wigan reportedly have a top-ten League One budget. So can Lowe get them punching above their weight and pushing into the play-off conversation? A lot will hinge on the January transfer window.

With his commitment to 3-1-4-2, he needs proper wing-backs. He couldn’t sign any specialists in the summer and ended up using Hungbo and Murray — talented players, but natural wingers. Two real wing-backs surely top the shopping list, unless K’Marni Miller returns ready to step up. He also needs more creativity in midfield and better service for the strikers, who simply haven’t scored enough.

And that’s the big question hanging over everything: if the supply improves, will the forwards finally deliver the goals Latics need?

What a difference a win makes

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

It had been doom and gloom among so many Wigan Athletic fans for too long. The team was lying below mid-table in League 1 and the last time Latics had last won an away game under Ryan Lowe was on Good Friday.

The game at Wimbledon looked like it was following on from what we had seen before. The home side were a goal up, despite Wigan having the better chances in a first half when they could have gone ahead. They had not played badly but just did not look like they were going to show killer instinct in front of goal.

Enter the 18-year-old Harrison Bettoni in the 77th minute. With his first touch of the ball, he scored from a sublime free kick curling in to the top corner. Ten minutes later he latched on to a clever flick from Paul Mullin to race through and slot home. The away support went wild with excitement.

After talking about avoiding relegation and sacking Lowe the less tolerant and less patient core among the fan base have started to perk up. One fan even suggested promotion was even a possibility with Latics just 8 points behind the leaders, Cardiff City, after 16 games played.

Although Bettoni’s league debut was spectacular some fans had not heard of him. However, he has been at Wigan since his early teens and was a key player in the youth team. Lowe trusted him with the free kick because he had been taking them in the junior ranks for some time. Bettoni had showed his mettle in a much-improved U21 team and it was to Lowe’s credit that he was given that chance.

Wigan’s U21 team had a tough start to the season, losing their first four games. Their transformation was helped on its way by the arrival of 20-year-old Adam Moseley on trial from Runcorn Linnets. Moseley’s record of 17 goals in 11 games for the U21 team speaks for itself. Although he had been appearing under the name of “Trialist”, posts on social media a week ago told us his name and that he had agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract at Latics. Although this has now been revealed in the local press, nothing yet has appeared on the club website.

The main news on the U21 side recently has been in sending players away on loan. Tom Watson has gone to South Shields, Leo Graham to Bury, Jack Rogers to Macclesfield, Christy Edwards to Witton Albion and K’Marni Miller to Radcliffe FC. Kai Payne went to Oldham Athletic at the start of the season, but injury has limited his appearances to 10 games so far. Some fans have been critical that the club has not secured them loan spells at clubs in higher tiers of English football. However, the majority are short term loans which expire before January.

The U21 team’s last three results have been spectacular. A 9-0 win at Coventry was followed by a 2-1 home win over top of the table Sheffield United, then by a 7-2 win at Barnsley. In the absence of U21 match reports on the club’s website one has had to rely on picking up information from opposing clubs’ sites. In previous years there were pockets of information on players in both the U21 and U18 squads to go with their photographs but there is scant coverage now.

Bettoni’s spectacular debut and Moseley’s acquisition have certainly helped to lift the spirits of supporters. At the beginning of the season, it had looked like Lowe had lots of options with four strikers in his senior squad. However, optimism has faded over the past months as none of the four have convinced. Lowe’s preference, particularly in home games, has been to play with twin strikers. Dara Costelloe and Christian Saydee were his choice for the opening game against Northampton, but both have had three game suspensions after receiving red cards, disrupting their settling into their roles. Paul Mullin and Maleace Asamoah have been largely used as substitutes in League 1 games. Between the four of them they have scored 7 goals.

Moseley will only be available for EFL games from the start of the January transfer window. It will be interesting to see how Lowe handles Bettoni. Will he start against Stevenage on Saturday or be used as an impact sub in the latter stages?

Although Lowe clearly likes the twin striker approach he has also resorted to packing the midfield with two number 6s, two number 10s and a single central striker. The latter system looked viable while Ryan Trevitt was available to provide some goal threat as a #10, but the other midfielders who have played there have rarely looked incisive.

Callum Wright scored a well taken goal against Barnsley and has got into good positions, but lacks the composure of a midfield goalscorer. Lowe might have to continue to persevere with Wright in the hope that the composure will come, even if his career goalscoring record does not suggest that.

In a similar way he has been relying on Christian Saydee to score goals as a central striker. Saydee has scored 2 goals so far at Wigan and his career record is 14 goals in 137 appearances. Although he is unlikely to score many goals as a striker, he is nevertheless a useful player to have on the pitch. He is a powerful and skilful forward able to hold the ball, with an eye for a killer pass through a defence. Some would say his style is reminiscent of Emile Heskey. Others might cite Marc-Antoine Fortune who scored 5 goals in 71 appearances at Wigan, but was nevertheless a regular starter in the Championship.

Following the opening game against Northampton I commented here that “Looking at the current squad there is certainly enough quality to finish in the top half of the table, barring major injuries.”

Since then, Lowe lost Isaac Mabaya early on and Ryan Trevitt since the end of September. However, my comment still holds. If they can be in a mid-table position by the New Year, they will have something to build on and it is by no means impossible that they will reach a playoff position.

If Lowe had money to spend, he would invest in specialist wing backs and creative midfielders. Good, proven strikers don’t come cheap and it is unlikely that Latics will ever splash out the kind of money needed.

In the meantime, he will look at getting the best of the strikers he has at his disposal. Finding the right blend will be key.

Matt Smith’s Return: Boosting Wigan Athletic’s Midfield Options

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

Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic

Matt Smith was a key player in Shaun Maloney’s tenure as Wigan Athletic manager. If any player was almost irreplaceable in the Latics legend’s system, it was he. Maloney favoured a brand of possession football where moves are patiently built up from the back. Smith played the role of pivot in front of the central defenders, providing both extra defensive stability and creativity going forward. His serious hamstring injury near the end of December was a hammer blow to a manager who was struggling to impose his style of play on a young squad.

The Maloney era was one which helped stabilise a club that had come so close to going out of existence. The Scot had to operate on a much-reduced budget than his predecessors and aim towards making the club sustainable though the development of young players. Sadly, he is largely remembered for lacklustre home displays last season that provided scant entertainment for the fans. However, there were moments in his two-year spell where it looked like the manager’s vision might eventually come to fruition. Matt Smith was the catalyst who enabled those glimpses of skilful, flowing football.

Smith is still only 24 years old. An ex-Arsenal youth and under-21 team captain, he spent loan spells at Charlton, Swindon and Doncaster before Maloney signed him on a free transfer in July 2023. Although Maloney used him solely in the pivot role, he had shown himself to be an all-round midfielder in his Gunners days where he notched 7 goals and 22 assists in 94 appearances for the Gunners age group teams  His attacking skills were also prominent in his stay at Doncaster.

In last night’s League Cup victory over Stockport County, he was employed in the #6 role in front of the defence, Baba Adeeko and Tobias Brenan playing further forward as #8s. However, Tyrese Francois has looked comfortable this season in the #6 role, which is also Adeeko’s best position. It leaves Ryan Lowe with options on how to utilise his midfielders. Both Smith and Francois have the skills necessary to play the #8 position. Adeeko’s strength lies in his ability to close down the opposition and protect the defence. Creativity is not his forte.

The return of Matt Smith was a welcome sight last night. Latics fans have not seen enough of him in his two years at the club.  A groin injury in his first season and hamstring injury in his second meant that he has was available for selection for only half the time he has been at the club. Providing he can stay fit he can play a major role in Ryan Lowe’s plans.  

Wigan Athletic 2 Peterborough 0 – Latics show promise

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

The opening day 3-1 victory over Northampton was an enjoyable occasion for Latics supporters. Ryan Lowe’s new team certainly showed promise for the season ahead.  However, it was followed by an abject defeat at Leyton Orient and an insipid League Cup win over League 2 Notts County.

Yesterday’s win over Peterborough once again suggested that Lowe’s Latics team have potential, albeit tempered by the fact that the visiting team’s starting lineup was inexperienced, their two oldest players being 25 years old, the average age being 23.

Players’ age stats courtesy of FotMob.com

It is dangerous to make predictions at this stage of the season based on performances and results. Wigan’s best performances so far have been against two teams whose so far have gained just one point between them. Moreover, Peterborough had more than 70% possession and were awarded 10 corners compared with Wigan’s 3. Sadly, for the visitors, they could not show a cutting edge to their finishing.

However, green shoots have appeared to suggest that Lowe’s Latics have potential. The wing backs, Joe Hungbo and Fraser Murray, were excellent yesterday, as they had been against Northampton. Left wing back is a position that Hungbo is growing in to, having played as an inverted right winger previously. His approach burns up a lot of energy: he was substituted after 72 minutes yesterday, after 67 minutes against Orient and 70 minutes against Northampton. Hungbo has already shown the signs of becoming an effective wing back, a key component in Lowe’s system.

Murray really looks the part in the right wing back position, despite playing mainly on the left for Kilmarnock. His run and cross for Christian Saydee’s opening headed goal was quite superb. Murray is physically fit, intelligent, has excellent vision and gets himself into good attacking positions. He complements his attacking skills with sound defence and a determination to succeed.

Wing back is arguably the most physically demanding position to play in. Lowe has been dealt a cruel blow with Isaac Mabaya’s serious injury. He needs an alternative on the right-hand side as a backup to Murray. He has K’Marni Miller as a possibility for left wing back when fully fit. Already having a squad that needs to be reduced in size for economic reasons he will face difficulties finding someone to replace Mabaya.

Although they had such little possession Latics did create opportunities to increase their lead. However, the substitution of the defensively strong Luke Robinson for Hungbo, rather than Jonny Smith, signalled the manager’s intention of closing down the game. Peterborough did get into good positions around Wigan’s penalty area although they squandered their opportunities.

Another excellent performer yesterday was Christian Saydee. Not only was he in the right place to score the opening goal, but he had a fine all-round game. Saydee is not only physically very strong but has good skill on the ground, showing vision in finding teammates when under pressure. He is only 23 years old and looks like a bargain signing. Goalscoring is the side of his game that he really needs to work on.  His goal yesterday will do him a world of good.

Latics face trips to Luton and Rotherham this week. Each game will provide a stern test to Lowe’s squad which shows promise but still has a long way to go to prove itself as a contender in the upper reaches of the table.

Wigan Athletic 1 Notts County 0: disjointed Latics limp to victory

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

Wigan Athletic’s recent record in the Football League Cup has been far from impressive. In fact, this is the first time in the last four years that they have qualified for the second round.

“I want to go as far as we can” was Ryan Lowe’s prior comment on the club’s ambitions in the competition, but on the basis of this performance they might not even go beyond the second round. Good football was in short supply in this match for the sparse crowd that attended.

Lowe sprung a surprise in his starting lineup with Jensen Weir at right centre back, Luke Robinson coming in on the left to join Jason Kerr in centre of the back three. Callum Wright and Ryan Trevitt started in central midfield, with Tobias Brenan in the #6 role behind them. Isaac Abaya and Joe Hungbo were the wing backs, Maleace Asamoah and Paul Mullin the twin strikers.

Latics go off to an early lead after 10 minutes, Mullin blasting home a soft penalty awarded after Asamoah went down in the box. However, their play that followed was cumbersome and disjointed. There was certainly effort from the players but little cohesion, the opposition dominating possession.

Injuries have been a major problem in recent years for Latics and they continue to be so. A serious-looking leg injury to Mabaya saw him stretchered off after 29 minutes, Fraser Murray replacing him. Although Lowe had made six changes in this starting lineup the faces of Joe Adams, Baba Adeeko, Callum McManaman, K’Marni Miller, Matt Smith, Jonny Smith and Chris Sze have not been seen since the season-proper started. We await word on the injury to Jamie Carragher at Leyton on Saturday.

A key feature of that promising season start against Northampton was the effectiveness of the wing backs. However, with them being neutralised at Leyton and in this game, there has been reduced creativity. Murray’s sparkling debut against Northampton was a joy to watch, but the realities of playing in League 1 mean he could come in for some heavy marking by opposition defences as the season progresses. Moreover, Mabaya’s injury leaves Lowe short of options at right wing back.

Notts County enjoyed 64% of the possession in this game, with Latics struggling to find their men with their passes. They were fortunate that the visitors could not translate their possession into goals, although Notts could count themselves unlucky in the closing minutes as Sam Tickle and a resolute back three were key in putting their bodies on the line to keep their team ahead.

With the 3-1-4-2 formation and the influx of new players, Latics were always going to need time to adjust and gel as a unit in early season. The fine display against a Northampton side possibly heading towards the bottom of the table may seem like a false dawn after what we have seen since then. However, there is enough talent and experience in the squad to ensure a finish in the top ten of League 1.

In the meantime, one can only hope that Lowe can provide us with a passing game that can match the kind of effort that he expects from his players. A return for Matt Smith could be the kind of catalyst that is needed to cut down on wasted long passes and ensure a better build-up from defence.