Wigan Athletic 12th Man - 31/08/12

This weeks Wigan Evening Post 12th man feature includes one contribution from Vital Latics:

Up And Running

The Latics got their season off and running nicely at St Mary's with a great performance, one clean sheet, two goals and three points. Just what was needed following the opening day defeat at the hands of Chelsea, it was important that there was no hint of a losing streak so early in the new campaign. To go to a club as buoyant as Southampton following their two promotions, playing their first game in the top flight for seven seasons and come away with a win was mightily impressive

Latics coped with the departure of Victor Moses with ease, new signing Arouna Koné got his first start and banged home a terrific goal, we could have unearthed another gem here. The first half Southampton pressed hard but resolute defending held them at bay as the Latics produced an exemplary away performance.

The second half saw the Latics open up and take charge, Di Santo popped in the first just five minutes after the restart then it was keep ball. Martinez has got his players so comfortable on the ball that it is a joy to watch, 30 plus passing sequences had Southampton chasing shadows for long periods.

Koné's goal was reminiscent of ex-Latic favourite Jason Roberts at his best, power and pace, a 40 yard run and a thumping shot that thundered its way into the back of the net, he has definitely whetted the appetite for more.

Transfer deadline on Friday, if more quality is added to an already decent squad then I will be barely able to contain my enthusiasm for what is surely going to unfold into a fantastic season. Looking at what we already have there is enough for the Latics to more than hold their own, with a couple of additions then Martinez's dream of a top ten finish would look at distinct possibility

Stoke City are in town on Saturday, an up and at 'em side that try to play to their strengths, big bruisers, but the Latics have shown that they are able to cope with the rough and tumble teams just as effectively as the more technical ones. Back to back wins were once a rarity for us in the Premier League, but with just four defeats in our last seventeen league games and four wins in the last five, picking up maximum points on Saturday, whilst it isn't a foregone conclusion, is surely on the cards

Barry Worthington



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