“I thought Thelo’s performance in the second half against Charlton was as good as he’s produced since I’ve been here…I still think there’s a lot more he can do, but he’s doing okay.”
Shaun Maloney’s comment hit the nail on the head. His appraisal of Thelo Aasgaard was fair. Although the Norwegian did not have a great game against Charlton he was certainly one of the better performers that day. But one gets the feeling watching him that there he is playing below his capabilities.
Aasgaard made his league debut for Latics as an 18 -year-old in October 2020, coming on as an 88th minute substitute in a 0-1 home loss to Peterborough United. It was a bleak time to make a first appearance, with the club reeling from being under administration and the Covid pandemic causing football matches to be played behind closed doors. However, it provided opportunities for some of the club’s academy players with the club being cash-strapped, unable to bring in many experienced pros. Aasgaard went on to make 13 League 1 starts that season, with 20 appearances off the bench.
The following season he made just one league start, coming on as a substitute 4 times, in Leam Richardson’s League 1 title winning side. Last season saw the player making his largest number of appearances with 12 starts and 19 substitute experiences in the Championship.
Stats courtesy of Soccerway.com
In terms of playing time, it could be argued that Aasgaard has had more than enough to more consistently reveal his impressive range of talents. Click here to see his goalscoring prowess. He has been played in a variety of positions, although predominantly wide on the left. Although he has the attributes as a midfield playmaker he has rarely been employed in that position and when he has played there he has not over-impressed.
Together with Charlie Hughes, Aasgaard stands out as a player who has the capability to play at a much higher level. Although only 20 the former has already established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, seeming destined to become a Premier League player. But some players mature earlier than others.
In the last three games Aasgaard has played the full 90 minutes-plus, scoring two goals. He has thrived in the role of playing in a mobile, interchanging front three. Maloney clearly has faith in the player and has given him the opportunity to play in a run of games that he has rarely been afforded in the past. Aasgaaard’s skills blend well with those of Martial Godo and Stephen Humphrys in a pacy and stylish front three.
Will this be Thelo Aasgaard’s breakout season?
Click here to see our previous article “Finding the right place for Thelo Aasgaard“
Shaun Maloney got his tactics right against a strong Oxford side
It was an uplifting night for a young Wigan Athletic side who showed sufficient skill, discipline and composure to suggest that they will more than overcome the severe 8 point penalty imposed upon them.
Oxford had come in as clear favourites, lying in second place, ready to impose Liam Manning’s approach upon the home side. For the first quarter of an hour Latics were under pressure with Oxford dominating the ball and playing the kind of intricate football that we had seen before during Manning’s time with MK Dons. Latics could not get the ball, but to their great credit they kept their composure and shape, restricting the visitors to shooting from outside the penalty box.
But after 17 minutes Latics launched a counterattack, Thelo Aasgaard turned to launch a perfect through ball for Stephen Humphrys who hit a left footed shot that beat Oxford keeper, Beadle. The goal certainly helped the home side feel more confident. Although they continued to be pressed back in defence they used the pace of their speedy forwards to worry the visitors’ defence when they did get possession.
Latics came out for the second half in a more confident mood and continued to be unfazed by Oxford’s lion’s share of possession, launching speedy counterattacks which troubled the visiting defence. As time moved on the home team continued to grow in confidence, playing some sparkling football when in possession. After weeks of disappointing performances we saw the quality of build-up that delighted us in the early part of the season. The icing on the cake came in the 81st minute with the previously hapless substitute Callum Lang curling home a sublime free kick.
Shaun Maloney certainly got his tactics right. Despite having 65% possession Oxford were restricted to shots outside the box, which were capably dealt with my the excellent Sam Tickle. The goalkeeper also played a key role in his quality distribution, which helped launch counterattacks. As the second half had progressed it looked increasingly unlikely that Oxford could claw their way back into the game.
Maloney had stuck with the 3-4-3 formation that he used in the win at Exeter, but brought in Jordan Jones to play an unfamilar role at left wing back, which he performed with aplomb, helping out the defence and making pacy runs down the touchline. Aasgaard was brought back to play in the front three and although he hardly sparkled it was his killer pass that broke the deadlock. We had waited so long for Liam Shaw to make his first league start and he certainly looked the part with his strength in the tackle and intelligent passing.
Josh Stones had been left on the bench following his debut at Exeter, but came on after 82 minutes in prefence to Josh Magennis. He almost added a third in added time with a rocket shot that Beadle parried on to the crossbar. The resulting corner saw his downward header saved by the Oxford keeper.
Following the game Maloney commented:
“I’m really pleased. I thought the performance had a bit of everything. We played against a good opponent and limited them to not too many chances. At the moment, we are clinical at the moment. It’s a big thing we’ve been working on, and for large parts of the season, we’ve been very good attacking.
We’ve been less so defensively and the last two games have been a big improvement. Let’s not take our foot off the gas and go again this weekend.Once we got a grip of what they wanted to do with the ball, it gave us a platform to go and play, and I want even more.”
Pre-season friendlies can be notoriously unreliable in indicating how a club will do in the season proper. They are largely training exercises where the scorelines are so much less important than they will be when the fiercely competitive stuff begins.
However, I cannot remember enjoying a pre-season Latics game as much as I did this one. Facing Premier League opposition, they started the game with two centre backs aged 19 and 20 and a goalkeeper with just one prior senior appearance under his belt. Moreover, a central striker who was unwanted by previous management was placed on the right wing. It was bold team selection from Shaun Maloney which led to a display that helped lift the gloom the had enveloped us for so long.
Maloney rejoined the club under circumstances which were difficult at the time and became increasingly so. It got to the stage where one worried about the continued existence of Wigan Athletic football club. The situation was on a knife edge with Latics having been served a winding-up order from the HMRC with scant assets to sell to stay afloat. Due to a short-sighted recruitment policy the club had been left with an aged, bloated squad with too many players on inflated salaries, but with minimal sell-on value. The club was in a poor position to woo new owners.
Mike Danson’s takeover in mid-June saved the club from possible liquidation. Despite the turmoil Maloney had stayed at the club, helping to hold things together. It was no surprise that Danson entrusted him in rebuilding the footballing side of the club and setting it on track to sustainability.
We have since seen thirteen senior squad players depart, significantly reducing costs. It was reported that the wage bill for the coming season would be just a third of what it was in 2022-23. Seven new players have been recruited, with four on free transfers and three on loan. The pattern has been markedly different than it was previously, with all but one of the new players aged 26 or below.
It was a fine performance from Latics yesterday, their football being a delight to watch. The much- maligned Kolo Toure had encouraged the players to be “brave on the ball” but it was too much for those who were used to an antiquated physical, long-ball approach to adapt. When Toure’s brief stay was terminated Maloney came in with a more pragmatic approach, trying to get the best out of the players at his disposal, within their means.
With so many of last season’s squad already gone Maloney and his staff have been able to impart a more modern footballing philosophy on the players. Yesterday we saw players unafraid to play the ball out from the back, their teammates creating space to receive the ball. We have not seen such fluidity and movement for so many years.
Maloney’s starting lineup certainly indicated his priorities. The 21-year-old Sam Tickle had a fine game in goal, being brave and dominant in his box, comfortable with playing out from the back. In 2018-19 he played five times for England Schoolboys, conceding only one goal. The manager chose to leave the experienced Ben Amos on the bench, opting for a goalkeeper who is more comfortable with playing out from the back.
Thelo Aasgaard was paired with Matt Smith in central midfield in the first half. It is a long time since we have seen two players in that holding role who show so much skill on the ball. Smith, 22, was excellent throughout. Aasgaard, 21, was less effective in the second half when he was moved further forward. Aasgaard has made 79 senior appearances, but has never been an automatic starter. Maloney and the club clearly have great belief in him and he remains the most prized asset, as evidenced by him signing a new contract until 2028. Like so many others he has a poor season in 2022-23. Will 2023-24 be his best yet?
Stephen Humphrys was largely employed as a central striker under Leam Richardson, who sent him out on a season-long loan to Hearts last summer. It was a surprise to see him on the wing yesterday, although he had played there during his stay in Edinburgh. Humphrys showed pace and trickery, with thunderous shooting. He is 6ft 1in tall and physically powerful. Still only 25 he has all the attributes to be a top-class footballer. Can he establish himself as a regular starter and score the number of goals that his talent indicates?
We can expect more staffing changes in the coming weeks with players on higher salaries being released if they can find suitable clubs to accommodate them. This season’s squad will certainly have a different profile than that of last summer, being younger and recruited to fit into a more modern possession-based style of play.
With an eight-point penalty on their backs, Latics have a difficult season ahead. There will be occasions when the opposition adopt a strong physical approach to nullify the smooth, skilful football that Maloney seeks. A mid-table position would be an achievement, given the circumstances.
It has been a pretty solid start to the season, with 13 points from 9 games. The home record of W0D3L2 strongly contrasts with that of W3D1L0 away from home. Leam Richardson has kept faith in players who were part of last season’s squad, new signings being used sparingly up to this point.
On their return to the Championship in 2018-19 under the Cook/Richardson management team Latics took 16 points from their first 9 games. But their fine early form dissipated as they gathered only 10 points from the next 16 games until the end of December. Their record was W2D4L10.
The current team still has a winning mentality and togetherness from winning L1 but that can soon dissipate after a run of losses as happened four years previously. With fixture congestion in October before the World Cup, Leam Richardson will have to rotate more than he is comfortable doing, or their competitive edge of fitness and work rate will count for nothing as they tire.
My main concern is the style of play and the lack of invention. The long ball will always be part of this manager’s tactics, but it offers an easy way out for defenders under pressure, rather than short passing their way out of trouble. When the opposition play a high press Latics defenders look ill-equipped to cope with it. It so often leads to a loss of possession. There have been recent signs that Latics are trying to play the ball out of defence and midfield rather than simply launching it long. The presence of Graeme Shinnie in midfield is paramount to keeping the ball on the ground. Up to this point the play through midfield from the back has been slow and repetitive, but it is to be hoped that Richardson will persevere. Wigan must resist those hopeful long balls to an isolated centre forward which rarely achieve anything constructive.
The lack of invention is something that must be dealt with, especially in home games where the opposition sits back in defence. Richardson has players in his squad who are capable of unlocking defences, but he must get the balance right in his team selections. Nowhere is the lack of invention so apparent than from throw-ins. So often they result in either giving the ball back to the opposition or sending it backwards sometimes even ending up in the hands of the goalkeeper.
Of the new signings, Nathan Broadhead has the look of a player who can make a mark this season. Richardson might give him a chance on the wing in place of Thelo Aasgard, who is immensely talented and should get a start every few matches but is still making naive mistakes. Using him as an impact sub for another half a season seems prudent with a view to earning his place in the second half of the season. Having said that, Richardson should be rotating them more often in the coming weeks which creates the opportunity to rest Will Keane every 3-4 matches and play Aasgaard centrally.
Charlie Wyke has been used sparingly: appropriately after coming back from a life-threatening event. We are surely rooting for him, so to speak, but it would be good to see more of Ashley Fletcher and his mobility. Fletcher has a much higher ceiling than Wyke or Magennis if he can find form and fitness and click with Latics. That’s a big if, of course.
It is not surprising that Latics better away from home because they lack guile in the attacking third. Lang needs to sharpen his finishing which has been wasteful, but also promising, in the last few games. Magennis won’t score much. Keane was unlucky with header in his last outing but has struggled to make a major impact, although he remains Wigan’s most likely goalscorer. Aasgard will score some crackers but Broadhead may be a more reliable source over a season. What’s been missing is set piece goals! There is better defending on set-pieces in this division; but Latics are due one.
Ryan Nyambe has already shown his quality and will push Tendayi Darikwa for his place. Nyambe is physically strong, capable of rock-solid defence and surging runs forward, although he needs to work on his crossing. Darikwa is naturally attacking full back, well suited to a wing back role.
The situation on the other flank of defence appears uncertain. James McClean has lots of experience for Latics and Ireland in the left wing-back position, but there are question marks over his ability to play as a left full back. Both Joe Bennett and Tom Pearce have disappeared off the radar. Bennett has not played since being sent off at Birmingham, which is strange since his suspension was rescinded by the EFL. Pearce’s only league appearance was as s substitute in the first game against Preston.
There are rumours linking Latics to players available as free agents. Danny Rose has been touted as a possible signing. Should this happen McClean will compete with Anthony Scully and Gwion Edwards for the left wing position. McClean and Scully are very different types of player, Scully being an inverted winger who will cut in and shoot. He scored 25 goals in 61 starts and 25 substitute appearances for Lincoln. Edwards too will cut inside on his right foot, but his strike record is not as impressive as that of Scully.
Another free agent who might be interesting Richardson is Dale Stephens. The midfielder now 33, born in Bolton, was released by Burnley. With the fitness of Jordan Cousins remaining uncertain and the announcement of Scott Smith being released on loan to Torquay, a new arrival may be imminent.
On paper there is an easier run of fixtures coming up. We can only hope that Richardson rotates prudently enough to sustain that positive momentum and winning mentality!
When Paul Cook arrived at Wigan in summer 2017, we were told by Portsmouth fans that he was a successful manager but one who rigidly stuck with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, struggled against teams that “park the bus” on home turf, that he was a good motivator and it was rare for Pompey to lose consecutive games, that he did not have a Plan B.
So much of what we were told about Cook rang true during his time at Latics. However, we did witness a Plan B. It involved pumping long balls towards the centre forward’s head.
Following the arrival of the 6ft 5in tall Kieffer Moore in August 2019 that same Plan B became the main style of play. Moore looked a lonely and forlorn figure up front, spending his energy chasing hopeful punts from the defence. It took months for Latics to change that approach, but when they did it worked. Not only did results improve, but Moore was able to show the kinds of skills that big strikers of his ilk rarely possess. Put simply, Latics started to build up moves through the midfield to attack, keeping the ball on the ground, basically using their skills to play football rather than hoofball.
Paul Cook and Leam Richardson appeared to be joined at the hip. They had successful records as a managerial duo. Some would say they were a modern day, lower division, equivalent of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. When Cook left Wigan and later joined Ipswich many expected Richardson to follow his old partner. Fortunately for Latics he did not, instead keeping the club afloat during the dire era of administration. He kept Wigan in League 1 in 2020-21 then won the title in 2021-22.
During Richardson’s time as Wigan Athletic’s manager we have seen a similar mix of football to what we saw when he worked with his previous partner. Indeed, many of the positive and negative profiles of the prior regime have continued to be evident.
But Richardson has shown himself to be more flexible in his tactics. Cook occasionally veered away from 4-2-3-1 towards playing a line of three central defenders, whilst Richardson has shown he can switch between the two. Another trait of the Cook/Richardson era was to be cautious in the use of substitutes, often leaving it late in the game to make changes. With the advent of being able to use five substitutes this season Richardson has already shown that he can be more proactive than before.
I found the first hour of play at Luton depressing. It was reminiscent of the early days of the Moore era. “Hopeful” long balls launched from the goalkeeper and his defence towards an isolated Josh Magennis. Luton are by no means an attractive footballing side, their main approach being to launch crosses from the flanks to two burly central strikers. However, it was still more constructive than Wigan’s approach and they would have added to their one goal lead if it had not been for the excellence of Ben Amos and resilience in defence.
Richardson’s three substitutions after 62 minutes changed the whole pattern of the game. Graeme Shinnie transformed the midfield by not only his tenacity, but by his ability to pass the ball on the ground to initiate attacks. Nathan Broadhead’s movement and Thelo Aasgaard’s sheer class and calm on the ball shone through. Callum Lang was having a torrid afternoon, but his stubbed shot was deflected into the net by a Luton defender in the 80th minute. Aasgaard’s stunning winner in the 88th minute came from an incisive pass along the ground by Lang, after Ashley Fletcher had drawn defenders away to provide the space.
The LaticsTV commentary remarked on the manager’s genius at making those bold substitutions, but the majority of fans on the social media asked why he had not put out a line-up like that from the start.
The pessimists are already suggesting that Richardson will revert to type for the upcoming Blackburn game, keeping faith in the senior professionals who helped win promotion last season, launching long balls to a big target man. It was Plan A in the Luton game, Plan B being playing constructive football with the ball on the ground.
LOS THREE AMIGOS 