A superb display by Ivan Ramis coupled with a totally committed performance from the rest of the Latics team last night saw Wigan gain a credible draw against pace setter’s Nottingham Forest.

Latics made four changes from the side that capitulated to Bournemouth on Saturday, with Huws, Delort and the two Mc’s ; McClean and McManaman coming in for Forshaw. Fortune, Kiernan and Waghorn, Both sides started brightly, Wigan with McManaman and Mclean looking to use their pace to stretch the Forest defence and Forest seeking to use the pace and power of Assombalonga and Antonio. Forest showed why they were a championship high flyer when they broke through the middle, the ball was switched wide and the searching cross was missed by Ant0nio

 

Latics continued to attack with pace with McClean and Delort constant threats to the Forest defence and worked together well when Delort when well placed to shoot unselfishly passed to McClean whose overhead kick went just over the bar. Wigan continued to dominate the game with Cowie and Kvist supplying Huws whose creativity constantly caused issues for Forest without troubling the away side’s keeper. Both sides went in at half time scoreless with Wigan the more frustrated that all their good approach play had come to naught. Forest started the second half brightly and within a couple of minutes the previously redundant Carson was forced into a good save from Assombalonga forcing a smart save from Scott Carson.
Wigan’s best chance fell to McClean when the winger’s never say die attitude saw him burst through three defenders but the shot came from his weaker right foot and he was unable to convert the chance
Further chances fell to Taylor for Wigan whose shot went over the bar and for Forest a cross field ball by Burke fizzed across the penalty area with the Wigan defence stranded.

 

Full time brought much deserved applause from the appreciative home fans for an excellent performance lacking only a finishing touch.

 

Team line up and player ratings

Carson…..7, a couple of fine saves

Perch…….6, unfussy and solid

Boyce……6, injured early on , withdrawn

Ramis……9, MOM, a superb performance

Taylor……7, his best performance in a Wigan shirt.

Kvist……..6, solid, withdrawn

Cowie……6, worked hard

Huws……..8, a creative dynamo

McManaman….6, faded as the game went on, withdrawn

Delort……….7, worked hard and very unselfish

McClean…..8.5, pace skill and effort, wonderful

 

Subs Used

Barnett ( for Boyce )…..7, slotted in well

Maloney ( for McManaman)…….6, little impact

Riera (for Cowie) ……6, little chance to shine

 

Entertainment rating……7/10

 

Att…………….14,078

 

 

 

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