An afternoon when all the training ground preparations clicked in magnificent fashion, Wigan destroyed Colchester with a first half blitz which secured a valuable three points to move them up to eight in the league.
Wigan made one change to the side which drew two all at Bury last time out, Grigg recalled to the starting line up following international duty with Hiwula dropping to the bench where he was joined by a fit again Davies
Wigan started at a high tempo with Jacobs and Power driving the side forwards and new loanee Wildschut causing all sorts of problems with his direct pacy runs and within five minutes Wigan were ahead when the flying Dutchman’s cross was met by the rampaging Daniles who had pushed up from right wing back and he showed excellent awareness to place the ball into the corner of the net
One soon became two when Perkins found Power just outside the area, his powerful shot hit a defender and looped over the ‘U’S keeper into the back of the net
Many teams would have sat back at this stage but Wigan showing confidence in their only abilities continued to pour forwards and were rewarded for their enterprise when a header from Grigg landed at the feet of Daniels who scored his second goal.
Colchester were in disarray as every Latics pass found a player in blue, every Colchester clearance went to a Wigan player and it seemed every Wigan shot found the back of the net. This was further re-enforced when a flowing move drive forwards by Perkins found Grigg who showed aplomb in making the score four nil to the Wiganners.
Grigg turned creator with a fin run and centre which fizzed across the goal line with Power just too far away to prod the ball into the net.
Wigan trooped off to a standing ovation following the best forty five minutes seen at the DW stadium for many a long time.
The game was to all intense and purposes well and truly over before the second half started but the four goal cushion gave Wigan the opportunity to showase their flair and with Power driving the Latics forwards in his best display since signing from Tranmere and the ever willing Wildschut and Jacobs tormenting the away defence chance after chance was created. The best fell to Wildschut who was denied only by a brilliant save by the Colchester keeper and the next chance again fell to the Dutchman but he opted to shoot with better place men unmarked men inside the penalty area
With Wigan coasting to victory it was time to rest key players and Wildschut and Jacobs both departed to be replaced by Holt and Junior. This showed no depreciation in the Wigan momentum and with Holt showing that whilst his pace may have lessened his guile and vision hadn’t continued to pour forwards against a hapless Colchester rearguard action.
This determination not to ease off eventually bore fruit when young substitute Love broke down the right and fed Grigg who showed he had a cool head chipping the ball calmly over the advancing keeper to make it five nil.
The full time whistle brought to an end possibly the most complete performance seen from a Wigan Athletic side for a number of years and the latest faithful streamed home happy in the knowledge that their team appeared to be on an upward curve.
Team Line up and Player Ratings.
Jaaskeilinen………6, possibly the quietest afternoon in his illustrious career
James……………..6.5, attacked with gusto.
Morgan…………..7, solid in defence
Barnett…………..7, no frills.
McCann………….7, defended well, attacked even better.
Daniels…………..9, MOM, took his goals well, showed remarkable skills for a defender, withdrawn
Power…………..8.5, attacked with creativity and purpose.
Perkins…………7, cool competent and organised.
Jacobs…………..8, Latics best attacking foil once again, withdrawn
Wildschut………8, a frightening turn of pace, withdrawn
Grigg…………….7.5, took his goals well, a constant threat.
Subs Used
Junior for Jacobs……6, struggled to get going
Holt for Wildschut….7, showed he has lost none of his guile
Love for Daniels…..6.5, a promising cameo
Att…………… ,8048
Entertainment Rating ……… 10/10 what more could you want?
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