Wigan performance is a let down

Once again a lacklustre performance from Wigan, left a sour taste in the mouths of their travelling fans and raised concerns about next season.

Wigan travelled to rock bottom West Brom with only two wins from the last fifteen games, desperate to kick start a faltering campaign.

Injury doubts, Scharner and Melchiot were passed fit, the surprise change up front where the want away Kapo, replaced the injured Mido. This more than anything, was an indication as to how far Zaki's standing has fallen with the management.

Both sides started off as if they had outlawed defending and end to end football seemed as if it would produce a shedful of goals.

The first goal when it came fell to the Baggies. Zuiverloon's fierce shot was only parried out by Kirkland and as at Everton this presented Fortune with an easy tap in.

Kirkland was injured in making the save and was shortly replaced by Kingson who surely must be the smallest keeper in the Premier League.

Kingson's first action was to produce a superb save, denying the Baggies when they should have gone two nil up.

Latics went on the attack and Kiely had to prodcue a couple of fime saves to thwart the Latics.

Much has bene made about Rodellega's failure in front of goal, however today he re-dressed the balence. A free kick was awarded outside the area. Up stepped Rodellega and his fierce shot appeared to deflect off the wall and past Kiely's disparing dive.

back came the Baggies and once again Kingson was forced to make a breathtaking save.

Latics seemed to struggle at the back and Melchiot and Scharner appeared to be struggling for fitness , making more work for the ever dependable Bramble.

Greenign appeared to have free reign in midfield and Brown and Cattermole were playing catch up for the majority of the game. N'Zogbia looked to press forward in the first half but every time he was either tackled in postion or gave a poor pass. Valencia drifted in and out of the game , starved of quality possesion but apparently unwilling to go looking for the ball.

Up front Kapo was anonymous, unwilling to chase any balls and unable to win any possision in the air leaving Rodellega as the only effective attacking foil.

Latics did appear to ahev agood shout for a penalty . when Cattermole appeared to eb upended int eh area but Mr Walton ignored his claims.

This was a half which had everything including the collapsing of an assistant referee who was able to continue after treatment.

Just before half time, Valencia showed what he was capable of, when he burst through the centre of midfield and bore down of the keeper but instead of burying his shot in the back of the net, he presented Kiely with the opportunity to save and Kapo couldn't make the rebound count.

The second half started at the same tempo with chances at both ends. for Wigan, Melchiot burst through the penalty area but shot weakly at the keeper, when he should have scored and from a corner Scharner flicked the ball across the goal but agonisingly wide.

The Baggies didn't appear deterred and from an attack, Bramble appeared to upend Fortune right on the edge of the penalty area.

Brunt came up to take the kick and super sub Kingson saved well but Brunt seemd to have all the time in the world, to bury the ball unchallenged.

Latics came forward looking for an equiliser but a disjointed performance didn't look like getting the equiliser.

Zaki was brought on to hopefully add firepower up front but to the Latics fans surprise, N'Zogbia was the player to make way, not the truly awful Kapo. Kapo switched to left wing but contributed little there either. Zaki was given no chance to shine ,when he appeared to jump for a ball and land awkwardly on his knee. After much attention, the stretcher was called for and he was replaced by De Ridder.

Wigan pressed forward looking for an equiliser but West Brom counter attacked and Kingson stood no chance with a fierce shot from reported Wigan target Fortune.

The final whistle brought a chorus of boos, from a significant proportion of the Wigan fans who had bothered to stick around to the bitter end.

Richard Kingson...but for him, Wigan could have easily conceeded five or six.
Didn't look very mobile form the poutset. Needs to eb rested whether fit or not ofr Wednesday Needed to produce a leaders role today and didn't. SHould have scored Had a bad game today Held the defence together today Didn't look fit today and his performance confirmed that Drifted in and out of the game, should have done better when one on one witht he keeper. At least he showed the commitment sadly lacking from many of his team mates. A abd game today, was dominated in midfield by Greening and didn't paly with his normal zest In danger of being an expensive flop How many chances does this guy get? Was booed by a percentage of the WIgan fans towards the end of the game Took his goal well and looked sharp in the first half. Faded after the break,maybe because of lack of any cohesive play around him. Man of the Match by a mile Didn't have any chance to amke an impact. Looks like he's ended his Wigan career on a sad note. Was more effective in ten minutes than Kapo was in 90. Stev Bruce...4/10

Played Kapo when his outbursts should have sent him straight back to France. Has seen his team only win 2 out of 15 games this year and concerns are being raised about the players lack of motivation.

He needs to lift the team for the next game... Man United !!! We pay a lot of money nad expect to see commitment and passion even if we are outplayed. That has been lacking in several games recently and the fans are entitled to evnt their frustrations.

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