Well after that wait, no not for the buses, but for the domestic football to restart, we probably wished we still had to wait & watch that crap England play some bankers from San Marino.
Wigan’s return to Championship action saw them take the lead and then succumb to Blackburn Rovers 3-1. We’ve had some heated debates on the forum, discussing the ‘level of shit’ we are in this season; please add your own thoughts.
The TNS offices here in Wigan are rather quiet, in fact it’s just me Martin & Moonay this week, think Bert may pop in from time to time though.
As for the next match, if we must, this is a mid week match against Huddersfield Town, played at the John Smith’s Stadium, kick off is Tuesday the 16th September at 7:45pm.
Wigan fans driving over the Pennines to get to Huddersfield, will probably drive over the M62, and go through the awe inspiring Dean Head cutting. Of course this time of the year, an early evening drive you’ll notice Scammonden Bridge, above you, ‘well above you’, drivers please concentrate.
Yes, it’s a bloody big bridge and something to take your mind off Wigan’s form, the bridge weighs 9,000 tonnes & they had to shift 4.6 million cubic yards of earth to get it built.
This match will be 7th game of the season, and sees Huddersfield in 21st place (4pts) & Wigan in 16th place (7 pts), you could call it an early Relegation 6 pointer, but I’ll not, okay maybe I already have!
Also did you know that in 6 seasons between 1922 to 1928 Huddersfield Town created Football League history. They did this by winning the 1st Division League title, three seasons on the spin in 1926! In fact in those 6 seasons, they never finished below 3rd & that first in football (3 titles on the spin) has never been bettered, only ever equalled.
Previous matches between Wigan & Huddersfield have seen 26 matches, Wigan has won 8, Huddersfield 12 with 6 draws, there was also a July 1992 friendly in there too. Last season in the Championship, saw both teams winning at home, Wigan winning 2-1 in November, Huddersfield winning 1-0 the following February.
Other notable matches saw Huddersfield play Wigan in the then Division 4 in October 1978, it was only Wigan’s 11th match in the Football League & ended 1-1 with Brownbill getting Wigan’s goal. Also Wigan played Huddersfield in their successful 2012/13 FA Cup run, winning 4-1 at Huddersfield with McManaman, Kone & McArthur getting the goals.
Last game of note is again another FA Cup tie, played in November 1973, a 1st Round tie with Wigan, who at the time were a non League Northern Premier League Team, Huddersfield a 3rd Division team. The match was played at Leeds Road, with Huddersfield winning 2-0. Once again thanks to Cockney Latic, for the Head to Head data.
The officials for Tuesdays match will be Sebastian Stockbridge as the ref (though he does sound like a Managing Director); Linesmen will be Wayne Grunnill & Paul Hodskinson, with the 4th Official of Tony Harrington.
Sebastian’s or ‘Seb’ as he likes to be known, as mainly officiated League 2 matches this season, previous season’s have seen him step up from the Conference, so this will be the first time either side have seen Seb. It’ll also be his 2nd Championship match after officiating the 2-2 Barnsley & Blackburn game in January, dishing out 2 Yellows.
The bookies outlook for the result, sees 41% believing it’ll be a Wigan win, 33% believe a Home win and the remaining 26% see a draw. They obviously haven’t seen Wigan play away then….
Team news is of course sketchy with it being the Championship and media outlets are only concentrating on whether it’s Wayne Rooney, that Di Maria or even that Falcao who’s cut their toe nails today.
Huddersfield will be hoping James Vaughan will make it back after being subbed early in their 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, with Boro scoring a penalty in injury time, of course this match being Chris Powell’s first game in charge.
Wigan has almost all the squad available to Uwe, with Chris McCann now back; believe it’s just Mr Watson who has to return.
As for the match, after Wigan’s 2nd false start, I just hope we get some points from this match, and we can for the 3rd time this season, kick on a make a decent run of it?
Andy
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