Wigan Athletic 12th Man - 27/10/11

In this weeks Wigan Evening Post 12th Man column there are two contributions from Vital Latics:

Stand and Deliver

There isn`t much to say this week other than to commend the team, the manager and the chairman for the attitude they showed and ask for more of the same, but with points. Yes that`s plural, points, not a single point, points.

Previously we`ve shown flashes of ability, but it`s been mixed in with silly mistakes. These mistakes have led to disharmony as people blame the mistakes, and those making them for costing us points. There have been several releases from the camp this week that have alluded to a heart to heart discussion and last Saturday, instead of blaming each other, we now seem to be helping each other, and covering for one another`s mistakes. In short playing like a team. At Newcastle, to a man, they backed each other up, worked hard for each other, the costly mistakes were gone and the ability was bubbling away just under the surface. One of the most obvious differences was that we got back our established back four. The fact they are used to each other and playing in their respective best positions within that defence added stability to the overall performance, as did the injection of some urgency into the rest of the play.

We`ve got the ability and now sorted the attitude, they say 2 out of 3 aint bad, but when the missing one is points, I disagree. I think to leave me feeling anything other than depressed as I walk over the canal back to the car will take 3 points. No performance in defeat could paper over the need for points. Time and again last season we pulled it out of the bag when we needed to. We need to now, it`s time to stand and deliver. Please guys, or I might end up in the canal rather than walking over it.

Paul Thorp


Make The Chances Count

Saturdays defeat up at Newcastle, whilst it was still disappointing, to coin a phrase from the boss, was full of positives. The return to a familiar back line with Figueroa at left back and Alcaraz in the middle gave the team a much more balanced look, this was reflected in a solid performance from the defence allowing the midfield three of Watson, Diame and the impressive Jones to go about their business without the worry of covering for defensive lapses and wayward passes. A return to the starting line-up for Hugo Rodallega also gave the attack a little more zip than there`s been of late, the Colombian makes a big difference and he is sorely missed when not playing.

The overall performance was encouraging, after the shambles of the Bolton game when we`d reached a real low, some pride was put back with a good performance against a good side riding high in the table and high in confidence, a draw was the least the Latics deserved, but encouraging though it was, it`s still disappointing to come away with nothing, its goals that win you games and whilst Newcastle banged home one of real quality, we couldn`t manage to hit the back of the net even though we created some good chances, we have got to start taking our chances, if we are to get out of our current position.

The next four games gives the Latics a chance to get some points on the board and get their season back on track, first up is this weekend`s visit to the DW by Fulham, a game that we really need to get something out of, three points are a must and a win against the Cottagers would set us up nicely for the next three against Wolves, Blackburn and Sunderland, keep the performance from Newcastle and become a little more clinical in front of goal and we should see a decent return of points, well you can but hope.

Barry Worthington

















Latics and Proud



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