So this could have been decent match for Wigan, if last weekend’s results had been a little better, this match could have been a massive 6 pointer. With a chance for Wigan to leave the relegation zone, at Rotherham’s expense. Alas, the playing ‘Shit’ at home spectre returned continued, and Wigan are still 7 months since their last home win.
But hey, of course Wigan were beaten 1-0 to Leeds at the DW, and Rotherham like other teams around them, went on to beat Huddersfield away from home 2-0, with the Fish that is Conor Sammon getting the 2nd. So it means going into this game, Wigan’s new target is Fulham, who are the new team in 21st place, they have 39 points and just 4 points from their last 6 games. So with a positive result against Rotherham (we’ve had a few away from home) & Sheffield Wednesday beating Fulham @ Hillsborough, the gap for safety with 9 games to go could be as little as 5 points.
Safe to say, we just want more positive away football and we are thinking of getting a massive digital printer and covering the front of the DW stadium with a picture of the Macron stadium, so the players think they are away from home, it may be more difficult to get all the fans to cheer in a Horwich accent, but we can only try.
It’s the 37th game in the Sky Bet Championship. Wigan Athletic will be playing Rotherham United at the New York Stadium, match will be played on Saturday the 14th of March, with a 3pm Kick off.
League Position, so as the intro has alluded to, Wigan is in 22nd place with 31 points, Rotherham is in 20th place with 40 points. Top of the table are Bournemouth (I’ve got them in this weekend’s sweep), they are top with 66 points, but are top by goal difference from 3 other teams in Derby, Watford & Middlesbrough.
Looking at recent form coming into this game, Wigan are higher in the form table for the last 6 match as Rotherham, Wigan are in 11th place with 9 points and Rotherham are in 19th place with 7 points. Top of the form table are 2 teams on 15 points in Norwich City & Charlton Athletic (Yes they too were recently involved in the relegation battle):
- Wigan P 6 W 3 D 0 L 3 (Wins against Reading, Blackpool & Norwich)
- Rotherham P 6 W 2 D 1 L 3 (Wins against Millwall & Huddersfield)
Previous Games between the 2, we covered this for the game at the DW in December, Rotherham won that game 2-1; well almost everyone who’s visited has. 12,600 watched the game with Ben Watson getting Wigan’s only goal, Lawrence & Revell scoring for Rotherham. That result means there’s been 32 games, with Wigan winning 16, Rotherham 9, with 7 draws, I do hope Malky’s men make it to 17. Thanks to Cockney Latic for the head to head info.
Referee from the Game will be James Linington; assistants will be Stuart Eagland & Stephen Wade, with the 4th official being Richard Clark.
Ironically enough James last officiate both teams within a week of each other back in November 2013, the 10th November saw Wigan beat Yeovil 1-0, with Fortune getting the goal, 5 yellow cards were issued, 4 to Wigan in Shotton, Barnett, Watson (Amen) & Albrighton.
For Rotherham, James looked after their match on the 16th November; it was a successful travel to Stevenage in a 3-0 away victory, with Pringle, Davis & O’Connor getting the goals. James dished out 2 Yellow cards, with goal scorer Davis getting the only card for Rotherham.
Overall this season, James has looked after 30 games; issuing 82 Yellows & 8 Reds.
Team News, well we do know that Wigan will have 1 less player, after they terminated Thomas Rogne contract by mutual consent after playing just the 1 game this season (Burton in the League Cup). Malky may at least be able to bring back Leon Clarke after he missed the Leeds defeat; also Harry Maguire’s contract has been extended to the end of the season, so he too is available to the Manager.
Rotherham may have skipper Craig Morgan back after a few weeks out with a dodgy knee, also Paul Green & Danny Ward may make a return after missing the Huddersfield game. We do know though that Lee Frecklington will miss the game due to his 1 match ban for 2 yellow cards in the same match.
How the Bookies see the game, well they obviously haven’t seen Wigan’s away form, as they have a Home win at 47%, a draw at 27% and Wigan taking all 3 points at 26%. As for William Hill, they have the game at 13/8, Wigan at 9/5 & a draw being 21/10. As for the foolish bet, Peter has asked what the odds for Wigan 3-0 & a Sheffield Wednesday win, William Hill are quoting 57/1 for this double.
My thoughts on the game, just win and keep us in it, anyway I’m off to listen to some positive music:
[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFWDGTVYqE8″]
Andy
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