There are away days and there are classic away days and Saturday’s trip over to East Lancashire definitely falls in to the latter.
After eighteen months without live football and a nine month period where the club’s very existence was at threat it’s an amazing feeling to be back in grounds again, Saturday was my first away day since Leeds back in 2020 and the excitement levels were off the scales.
Let’s have a look at on the pitch matters before we speak about the day itself, it was probably the most complete performance we’ve seen this season. Despite conceding Latics were in complete control throughout.
Will Keane can’t get enough plaudits for me, his performances since he recovered from his bout of covid earlier in the year have been fantastic and he’s started this season like a player re-born. Throw in to the mix Charlie Wyke getting off the mark in the best possible fashion and it was as comprehensive win as one could imagine.
With 2500 Wiganer’s heading over to Accrington it made for – let’s call it a jovial atmosphere, it was brilliant to see after so long away. Despite the differences in circumstances this has the feel of those two League One seasons under Gary Caldwell and then Paul Cook. For Chesterfield in 2015 see Accrington in 2021.
Sunderland was a slight blip on an otherwise positive few weeks, it was a great opportunity to reach the next round but our reserves losing to Sunderland’s reserves won’t define our season. A win over Cheltenham on Saturday will be far more important in the season’s shake up.
As a good friend of mine mentioned on Tuesday night, it’s one thing expecting Stephen Humphries to come in to the side with Callum Lang and James MacClean alongside him, quite another when it’s another completely changed side. Humphries time will come eventually. Meanwhile can Latics keep this form up across a whole season?
Who knows but I’m looking forward to finding out.
Sean Livesey
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