Hoping for some good news

Oh Wigan. From three wins in a row to three losses in a row. From the sublime to the ridiculous.

Consistency is the name of the game and how we’ve struggled so much this season.

We have shown glimpses of great play but we can’t show that for 90 minutes or indeed on a regular basis.

After hard fought wins over Barnsley, Northampton and Cambridge the expectation was that Maloney’s side would kick on.

Then came Huddersfield, Leyton Orient and Chesterfield. All three games saw Latics struggle to match the levels of the previous three matches.

Chesterfield followed a similar pattern of the rest of the season where Latics created 900 hundreds chances. Failed to convert any and Chesterfield scored three goals that saw them out of sight long before full time.

Chesterfield was a symptom of our season. Latics created numerous easy chances but failed to capitalise as the opposition who failed to create as many scored all three of their chances.

It’s not even like Shaun Maloney’s side aren’t creating chances. Against Huddersfield, Leyton Orient and Chesterfield the chances were plentiful but the chances fell to players either incapable of unable to take those chances and convert them to goals.

The worst possible trip is up on Saturday as we travel to the Reebok, Unibol, One sheet, stadium to face Bolton. The Wigan Athletic of 2024 is miles away from the Wigan Athletic of 2023 or even 2022 that faced Bolton. The expectation is that we’ll get beat, and get beat well but there’s still a chance for us.

And what a chance to get back to winning ways.

Latics will need to do it without Dion Rankine and Tyrese Francois who have been confirmed as out for the season.

The last three games, Leyton Orient apart have been a symptom of our season. We have dominated against those sides we’ve played but we’ve failed to turn that dominance in to goals.

If Latics and Shaun Maloney are to turn round this worrying arrest in form they really have to start converting chances. No one will do it for us, we have to look after ourselves.

The calls for Maloney’s departure grew louder on Tuesday but how much of our situation can be really attributed to Maloney? A number of senior players. Primarily those signed from Premier League sides are doing nothing to show either their experience or class so far this season.

Earlier today I attended the funeral of a good friend of mine – Jonny Huxley. Where we spoke about the importance of friendship and indeed social occasions such as those that we have through Wigan Athletic.

There’s a lot that isn’t going right for Latics at the moment but a lot that can’t be celebrated. We need to remember that in moments like this.

We’re desperate for some good news at the moment. Whether that’s something that comes from a trip to Bolton I’m not too sure.

I really hope it is, mind you.

Sean Livesey

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