When it comes together

They often say it’s darkest before the light, and the build up to last weekends match was particularly dark.

No doubt Latics had laboured in the previous three matches, but Leyton Orient apart there wasn’t a match we were outclassed. Two matches where we should have done a lot better certainly? Outclassed? Not at all.

But that’s been the story of the season, we’ve been the better side in numerous matches this season but have continually failed to capitalise on that dominance in matches.

So it was with that in mind along with the boos from the Leyton Orient disappointment ringing in the ears of the manager and players, that we headed up the short distance to Horwich for the ‘not really a derby’ derby (c) Marc Illes.

I know they don’t care about us, as they continuously tell us but I care about it and it’s a horrible feeling heading over there. Especially with how out of form we’ve been in recent weeks.

But as with other matches this season, where everyone thought it was a given that we would lose, myself included that this fantastic young Latics side showed exactly what they’re about.

The first half was as dominant a performance as we’ve seen since Northampton. It wouldn’t have been churlish to suggest that Maloney’s side could have gone in at least 3 or 4 goals to the good at half time.

The goal that did get us ahead was a fantastic bit of skill from Thelo Aasgaard finished off brilliantly by the ever improving Dale Taylor.

After the first half the expected Bolton onslaught never came. Latics showed some great game management and put the game beyond doubt with Thelo’s fantastic control and shot.

The celebrations after the full time whistle showed so much about this young manager and this young side. The emotion from all of them shows how much they care about our club.

There were so many standout performances on Saturday from Will Aimson getting one over his ex club, to Babba Adeeko turning in his best performance since last season.

Thelo Aasgaard is beginning to look the class above player we know he can be and Jonny Smith is getting back to the levels of last season. There was so much to be positive about heading away from Horwich.

Not least keeping that record going over Bolton but primarily Ian Evatt. A manager with an ego like no other, who tried to batt off questions about his future by telling Bolton fans he was the most successful Bolton manager of all time and that it was unquestionable that the fans should criticise the great Evatto due to his 50% win percentage.

The self proclaimed best team in League One (c) Ian Evatt 2021, are still there in 2024. Let’s see what April Fools Day 2025 brings. I hope the great Evatto is still there, he’s fantastic value.

Yes there have been poor performances this season from Latics, yes we aren’t where we would like to be but that unfortunately happens when you have a side as young as ours.

There are always going to be inconsistencies, the hope is that the further we go in to this season those inconsistencies become less.

Because when it does come together it comes together in a great way. We’ve a chance now with the visit of Shrewsbury of putting some daylight between us and the relegation zone and begin to look upwards as oppose to down.

With an unforgiving festive schedule coming up we really have to take it.

If you can get to the Brick on Saturday, buy a ticket and come and support this manager and these boys.

They deserve it.

Sean Livesey

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