Wigan Athletic - The 12th Man - 03/11/11

This weeks Wigan Evening Post 12th Man page has two contributions from Vital Latics:

Sloppy Defending Costly

What do the Latics need to do to get a win?

A very good performance on Saturday saw a host of chances created against Fulham, but none could be taken and with two sloppy pieces of defending at the other end letting in the visitors for two goals, an eighth straight defeat left Martinez's side rock bottom of the Premier League.

There's been a marked improvement in terms of performance since the Bolton game, in truth it couldn't have got any worse, but goals win you games and at the moment there is a distinct lack of significant numbers in the 'for' column, just one goal in the last three games and seven in total in all competitions so far this season is, by anyone's standards, a poor return.

Something is missing in front of goal, whether its composure, sharpness or just plain goalscoring instinct, whatever it is needs sorting and quick.

The visit to Wolves on Sunday sees the Latics on the verge of equalling their worst ever run since becoming a Premier League side, the second season in the top flight under Paul Jewell saw us lose nine games on the trot (eight league, one FA cup), to emulate that run would further harm an already deflated confidence in the team, a scrappy draw, without being an ideal result, would at least buck the trend and give something to build on, this weekend is definitely a must not lose game.

Barry Worthington


Plenty Of Hope Still There For Martinez

On Saturday I went into the game with the attitude that we needed to walk away with 3 points, nothing else would do.

I walked out of the ground with us having gained no points and was thoroughly fed up with our league position.

We have lost seven games on the bounce, we are rock bottom and appear to be in danger of slipping away.

Why then am I not joining in with some fans in the castigation of the squad, manager and Chairman over our league position?

There are two reasons. Firstly the table means nothing for another seven months. Secondly is what I watched between the start and almost the end of Saturdays game. In between the first and final whistles, I was entertained by a Wigan side that played the better football, carved out the better chances and showed more determination than their opposition.

In short, if you look past the result, you see that we were the better team and deserved to come away with the points. I believe this to be a continuation from last week, and a demonstration that this team have realised they have what it takes to get out of the situation they have got themselves in.

These are no doubt the darkest hours of the Martinez reign, but they say the darkest hours come just before the dawn, and that in adversity you show your true colours. The playing squad have shown they are clearly up for the battle, this determination and belief is what saw us through last time and I therefore trust that it will again this time.

Paul Thorp

















Latics and Proud



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