A poor Wigan performance 0n a wet and windy Tuesday night at the DW stadium saw the Latics lose to a breakaway goal, their first home defeat this season.
Manager Gary Caldwell was afforded the luxury of being able to select an unchanged side with Jacobs being declared fit to resume after what looked likely to be a long term lay off.
The game was to be ultimately a frustrating one for Wigan as their normally dynamic attacking style was stymied by a well disciplined and organised Burton Albion side who seemed able to break up Wigan’s attempts to pressurise their defence with relative ease. So comfortable were Burton that Wigan were restricted to one attempt on goal in the first half and yet it could have been so different in the very first minute when Wildschut broke down the left and a peach of a ball was met by Chow but instead of burying the ball in the net or at least troubling the keeper, the young Wigan wing back merely kicked mid air and the away defence were able to clear the ball.
It looked like Wigan were going to dominate but their momentum quickly stalled and the game deteriorated into a midfield scrap with rare moments of excitement usually due to poor tackles in the bad weather.
Nearly all the Wigan team were off key going forwards with McCann and Power the honourable exceptions and defensively wise Perkins was his usual combative self. Wigan did look weak when defending with Chow and Daniels both having games they will quickly want to forget.
Wigan’s best attempt was from Jacobs whose long range shot landed on the roof of the net.
Any hopes that the second half would be an improvement were futile as the game continued in much the same vein with Wigan trying to create chances and Burton looking to catch Wigan on the counter. This tactic ultimately produced the goods for the away side as a poor short corner from Wigan allowed Thiele to break away, with Morgan the defender facing him struggling with an apparent injury Thiele was able to beat the Wigan captain and feed the ball through to El Khayati who coolly stroked the ball into the net for an unlikely lead
This stung Wigan into action and with Wildschut coming to life and Griggs partnering Davies up front, Wigan pushed for the equaliser but with Wildschut shooting straight at the keeper, Power having a goalbound shot blocked near the line and James hitting the rebound against the post it just wasn’t to be the home side’s night and after seven minutes of tie added on the referee put Wigan out of their misery an left manager Gary Caldwell to reflect on only two points gained from five games against the other top six sides. Team Line Up and Player Ratings
Jaaskelinen…….6, only action of the game, picking the ball out of the net.
James……………6, worked hard unlucky not to score late on.
Morgan…………..6, Solid but at fault for the goal, withdrawn
Daniels…………..5, a bad day at the office
McCann………….6, a solid performance.
Perkins…………..6, solid defensive wise but limited going forwards.
Power……………7., MOM best on the pitch but didn’t have much competition.
Chow…………….4, missed a chance in 1st minute and this appeared to have affected him
Jacobs………….6, not his usual attacking self, withdrawn.
Revell…………..6, worked hard for little reward , withdrawn
Wildschut……….6, not his best game
Subs Used
Junior……….6, showed some creativity
Grigg……….5, little impact
Davies………5,no influence on the game
Att…………….8,117
Entertainment rating………………………4/10 poor game
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