Latics 1-1 Hoffenheim - The Analysis

Vital Wigan member russialatic managed to watch the Latics draw with Hoffenheim on Saturday, he provides us with his analysis of the game, which as always, is open to discussion, over to you russia:

First half we lined up with a back 3 of Caldwell, Alcaraz and Golobart, with Beausejour left wing back (lwb), Stam right wing back (rwb). Our Mike (Pollitt) was in goal.. This worked well, Golobart looked very good on the ball and linked up with Beausejour who looked a class act. Stam was quieter but comfortable.

In the middle we had Watson and McCarthy. Both played well. Watson dropped deep as he does, but kept the ball and they both got stuck in and controlled much of the game. In front of them were Crusat (left) and Jones (right) behind Boselli. Jones was quiet and didn't make a huge impact but kept the ball. Crusat buzzed around and looked dangerous on the ball and closed down quickly without it. He put in a beautiful cross for Boselli`s goal which he took brilliantly. Boselli was quiet but when found space to tuck his goal away well. He was only on for 25 minutes before Sammon. When Sammon came on he was energetic but didn't do much. On the whole in that half we took a while to get going but when we did we looked a classy side like the end of last season. The back 3 plus wing backs had balance. Jones looked a bit out of place and didn`t offer a great deal going forwards, but I'd say 7.5 out of ten overall, if not 8.

2nd half and it all changed. Pollitt stayed but the defence changed to : Piscu in the middle, Boyce rcb and Mustoe lcb. The formation changed with the wingbacks pushed further forwards as midfielders really. Dicko was on the right and Redmond on the left. The middle saw Jordi and Fyvie. Maloney and Moses were behind Di Santo.

In all honesty we never got going in the second half and we were 2nd best, especially as the game progressed. The back 3 did ok, but neither Dicko nor Redmond really got in the game and the midfield looked lightweight without the bite of the 1st half. Fyvie didn't really impress and Gomez made more of an impact but didn't assert his authority on the game. He won his usual quota of free kicks. Moses huffed and puffed a bit, as did Di Santo but neither really impressed. Maloney was subdued. Our performance kind of fizzled out after a strong beginning.

I'd say we learned:

Golobart has excellent potential and can potentially play lcb. On that performance he should be above Piscu.

Watson has what it takes to replace Diame as adequate cover in this system.

We can expect lots more from Crusat this season and have a ready made replacement for Moses if he goes.

'Glad to hear Golobart looked but good we probably can't say he is ready based on this one or two friendly games' king_dezeeuw06

HAVE YOUR SAY

Boselli has that finishing touch that we've truly lacked. Don't expect him to dominate games but he looks a real threat with service

But

Dicko isn't going to be a rwb anytime soon. Likewise Redmond at lwb. Fyvie will need time

We need bite in those cm positions to make the system work and secure possession

Jones doesn't look as good as Gomez in that more advanced role, let alone Maloney.

On the whole though, great strength in depth compared with a year or two ago. Well done Bob and co.

russialatic

Boselli on target

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

















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