Latics further in trouble

Barlow took charge of his first premiership team today when he took Wigan to Spurs for the game at White Hart Lane.

He showed that he wasn`t prepared to play on reputations by leaving out Brown, Koumas and Valencia the latter two completely from the 16 with at the time of writing no evidence of them being injured

Agahowa was also not on the bench which didn`t surprise the Wigan fans whose opinions of Julius are not positive

Taylor and Cotterill came in on the left and right wings respectively and Skoko replacing Brown as the defensive midfielder.

Both sides started cautiously not wishing to commit any errors and as a result the ball spent most of the time in midfield

The first chance came on approx 8 minutes with a half chance from Berbatov well blocked by Granqvist. This seemed to give Spurs confidence and Kirkland shortly afterwards was forced to make a good save from Keane

The hammer blow came on 12 min, Spurs came down the left Keane cut inside Granqvist crossed, Kirkland palmed it out to Jermaine Jenas who slotted home.

Latics then patiently tried to play it around with Landzaat acting as the pivot and on 20 mins Scharner directed a good header towards Landzaat which was intercepted by Bent headed goal wards and over the bar when Landzaat was arguably better positioned.

Then there was another good break down the right by Spurs, Killer tracked back well and conceded a corner which resulted in a goal kick.

Berbatov looked particularly sharp and on 28 mins a good shot on the turn sailed well over the bar. However this was only a momentary respite and on 30 mins Jenas beats the offside trap, rounds the keeper and it was two nil

Spurs were content to keep possession playing good football on the ground waiting for the chances which much surely come, this coupled with Latics creating nothing meant that a third goal must come and it did on 34 minutes a great goal form Aaron Lennon, left Kirkland helpless.

After 40 mins Barlow realised that 4-5-1 wasn`t working and replaced Cotterill with Siberski.

Half time arrived without any further scoring which came as a great relief for the embattled 800 Latics faithful who had made the journey to London

Second half started with no further subs.

Latics as with Chelsea last week were looking at damage limitation and slogged away without looking like scoring

Keane was looking particularly sharp and Bramble had to be quick to shut him down.

Once again Bramble slammed his critics by a superb covering tackle on the rampaging Chimbonda who was proving a thorn in his old teams side.

Skoko then was booked for a foul on the impressive Jenas

Chimbonda once again attacked down the right forcing Kirkland into a good save..

Latics were creating very little, Spurs as Chelsea last week content to pass the ball around confident in the knowledge that they were totally in control.

Indeed 15 mins of the second half passed before Latics had a shot Bent racing through but shooting over.

Barlow created another precedent by making a second tactical substitution bringing Brown on for Skoko

Scharner then added a third booking to his season`s record for a foul on Aaron Lennon. Shortly afterwards Jenas thought he had his hat trick but the linesman thankfully for Wigan ruled offside.

Lennon broke again and Kirkland had to be sharp to turn the shot around the post

Darren Bent came on for Keane and within three minutes he shot and scored the fourth goal against a thoroughly demoralised Latics side. Two minutes later Bent again beat the defensive but fired wide.

Spurs were totally dominating the game and Zakora left Brown for dead before firing in a fierce shot which Kirkland did well to turn round for a corner.

Within a minute Berbatov thought he had scored but Kirkland pushed the ball onto the post

Sibs then had a shot in a vain attempt to gain some consolation but the weak shot was easily saved

Brown then fired into the side netting but Spurs were always in control against a demoralised and directionless side.

No surprises really, Spurs are too good a side to go down whereas we defiantely look like a relegation haunted side.

Bolton`s goalless draw means they go above us and only the luckless Derby keep us from rock bottom

If we play 4-5-1 against Spurs what will we play against a rampant Arsenal?

Who would want to take over us now and more to the point who would want to sign for us in the January transfer window?

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