Latics 1-0 Norwich - Kone to the Rescue

Arouna Kone was once again the hero after his late winner lifted the Latics out of the drop zone and increased the pressure on the teams just above them as they secured back to back league wins.

 

A dull affair was decided with only nine minutes left when Jordi Gomez played in Kone, who fired delightfully past stand in Canaries keeper Lee Camp.

 

Arouna Kone

 

The Ivorian followed up his last gasp winner versus Newcastle before the international break with his 10^th league goal of the season and he looks set to break Henri Camara’s Latics top flight record of twelve goals.

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, with the returning international Latics unable to settle into a rhythm, and they looked set to continue their wretched run of having not won following an international break.  

Paul Scharner was cautioned very early on when he brought down the tricky Robert Snodgrass, but the Canaries were unable to capitalize from the resulting set piece.  

The Latics gradually found their passing game as the opening half came to a close with Callum McMannaman miscuing and Kone unable to direct an effort on target.  

Antolin Alcaraz was excellent all afternoon, nullifying the Canaries attacking threat and he provided essential cover on a number of occasions for an erratic Scharner.  

The frustration for the home fans continued well into the second period as Martinez’s men were unable to create much despite sustained periods of possession. With only 20 minutes left to play the home side cranked up the pressure on their visitors, with first Alcaraz going close with a header and then James McCarthy going close from distance.  

Michael Turner sensationally blocked Gomez’s effort inside his own six yard box as Chris Hughton’s men looked as if they would secure their fourteenth draw of the season.  

Despite poor service all afternoon Kone was still alive to the play and was the grateful recipient of Gomez’s delightful through ball after a mix-up involving referee Howard Webb. Keeper Camp will perhaps feel he should have done better with the arrowed effort on his first full league start for the Canaries. 

 

Antolin Alcaraz

The visitors failed to test Joel Robles and didn't register an effort on target all afternoon, as the Latics finally picked up their first  home clean sheet of the season.

His goal was nothing more than Kone deserved, and as he made way in added on time for Franco Di Santo he soaked up the applause of the adoring DW.  

It was a difficult watch for many but the fact that his side were able to come out on top without being at the best in an attacking sense was a huge positive for Martinez who spoke after the game: “I don’t think we were stylish as we normally are, but what we showed is incredible character. Every player found a way to help keep Norwich very quiet.” 

The Spaniard went on to praise his lone front man: “It was that little but of quality at the other end that decided it. Just as it seemed it wouldn’t quite fall for us, the ball from Jordi Gomez was fantastic, a clinical ball, and the finish from Arouna Kone was just what he deserved for his work ethic.”

Kone was the focal point of everything that the Latics did well today and he is going to be the key man for Wigan, as they prepare for three consecutive trips to the capital, before they next take to the field at DW against Spurs at the end of April. 

The month kicks off with the league game at QPR before the historic Wembley FA Cup Semi Final with Millwall rounded off with the trip to West Ham.

Latics v Norwich City - Premier League

LaticsInANutshell is back and returns previewing the visit of Norwich City, in what is a must win game for the Latics as they prepare for another fight to stay amongst the elite. 

Arouna Kone’s dramatic late winner against Newcastle before the international break, fired Roberto Martinez's men latest great escape act into action.

 

Arouna Kone

 

Martinez will be looking for his side to carry through the momentum that they have gathered over the last few weeks, and will be hopeful of naming the same XI for a third consecutive game. 

Callum McMannaman and Antolin Alcaraz are both being monitored ahead of the visit of the Canaries, who themselves could well be dragged into the relegation scrap with defeat on Saturday. On loan keeper Joel Robles looks to have won the battle for the number 1 spot for the time being, and Martinez will be looking to stick with a settled side during the run in. 

Despite having never beaten their visitors in the league the Latics will be confident of securing the victory that would see them move out of drop zone until Sunday at least.  

It is a crucial phase of the season for the Latics, with a clash with fellow relegation strugglers QPR next in the league followed by the FA Cup semi-final with Millwall. Martinez’s men will be seeking a first clean sheet on home soil this season, and will be looking to improve on a record of 13 points from the DW (the joint worst in the league with QPR).   

 

Antolin Alcaraz

But it will be tough against a Norwich side who still need the points to guarantee another season in the top flight who are currently in 12^th  in the table, and were impressive in their draw away to Sunderland despite playing with ten men for long periods. 

Since his return from the African Cup of Nations striker Kone has been in sensational form and the Latics will be once again looking to him to lead the line.  

Over recent weeks there has been a confidence about the Latics that has seen an upturn in fortunes and I believe they will have enough to overcome Norwich and really drag the Canaries and others around them into the dogfight which will take centre stage at the business end of the season. 

Norwich City 1-1 Wigan - Latics show signs that they are up for the fight

Roberto Martinez’s men showed signs of significant improvement in a spirited performance, but will leave Norfolk kicking themselves having dominated and created the better openings in what was an entertaining encounter.

After last week’s horror show at the DW against Swansea you got the feeling that the Latics were going to bring their stay in the top flight to an end come May. 

Roberto Martinez & Victor Moses

The big issue for Wigan is that they are yet again involved in a scrap for Premier League survival in what is now their sixth season in the top flight.

Taking the next step forward is key for Wigan if they are genuinely to be considered as an established Premier League team, you get a feeling if they were to drop back into the Championship they would struggle to come back.

The job that Dave Whelan has done has been nothing short of remarkable to take this small town living in the shadow of the likes of Manchester United into the promise land and maintain their presence.

The big question is can they take the next step up. Investment is a huge issue for them, with the likes of QPR coming up and spending big and with Swansea and Norwich proving to be a more attractive choice for players, getting genuine talent through the door in is an issue.

As for the yesterday’s game they will be left wondering what might have been as they were by far the better team.

A sloppy clearance from the usually reliable Ali Al-Habsi put the defence on the backfoot only ten minutes in, as Wes Hoolahan evaded Gary Caldwell and co to smartly score on his 150^th appearance for the Canaries.

Despite the setback Martinez’s men stuck to their game plan and grew into the game more and were unlucky to not to level before half time.

The Spaniard as he does in every game kicked every ball and unlike last week his decision on substitutes paid off when brought on former Celtic man Shaun Maloney. He proved to be instrumental in the Latics taking a share of the spoils at Carrow Road. He was lively throughout and was on hand to put through Victor Moses, who coolly rounded John Ruddy to level things up.

Maloney was on hand again late on as he played the perfect ball to substitute Mohammed Diame who blasted over with the goal and three points at his mercy.

Shaun Maloney

Wales international Steve Morison nearly broke Wigan hearts as he was denied by Al-Habsi who produced a stunning one handed stop and managed to clear the incoming danger.

As mentioned earlier an improvement at home is going to key for the Latics as their next three games on the road involve Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. Despite their manager’s belief that he has the team and characters in it to stay up, they will look at this game as two points dropped. 

Rangers’ boss prepares for crucial run in

It has been a far from perfect start to life at Loftus Road for Mark Hughes, he has seen his side pick up a mere 5 points since he replaced Neil Warnock at the helm of the West London club.

Despite the dismal start the former Manchester City boss remains confident that his side have enough about them to secure a second season in the top flight and build for the future. Speaking after his side’s recent home defeat to derby rivals Fulham, Hughes called for discipline and reiterated his belief that his side have the quality to survive.

Mark Hughes

Indiscipline has played a huge part in QPR’s downfall this season with five players seeing red and new signing Djibril Cisse and Samba Diakite recently picking up costly bans.

What will worry Rangers’ fans is that their run in includes fixtures against Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Unlike the teams around them after their trip to Bolton on Saturday they do not face anyone directly involved in the relegation scrap. 

Saturday’s can certainly be considered a so called “six pointer” as Hughes’ men face sides with aspirations of competing for the title and securing European football for next season. It looks as though it is going to be three from the current bottom five that will go down with the likes of Aston Villa and Swansea looking to have enough quality to not get dragged in.

It is clear that they should have much more points on the board by now just the way Norwich and Swansea have done.

Recent signings Bobby Zamora and Cisse will finally get to link up again after the former Liverpool man’s dismal half an hour into his home debut against Wolves. They have the pedigree to get the goals that Hughes needs but the big question is can they deliver when the pressure is really on?

Bobby Zamora 

At the back they have now conceded in eighteen consecutive matches, with their last clean sheet coming against Chelsea in their biggest success since their return to the elite. The character shown by his side to fight back from the setback of Everton’s early goal on Saturday will have encouraged Hughes but he will know the hard work starts at the Reebok.

The players have to come up big during the run in and the Loftus Road faithful are going to play a huge part in their battle to avoid the drop, Hughes remains confident in his side but he knows deep down that he faces the biggest challenge of his managerial career to date and simply cannot fail.

Lambert keeping feet on the Ground

Despite Wednesday’s crushing defeat at Sunderland, the Canaries look to ensure Premier League survival sooner rather than later and they can rely on their potent strike force.

Norwich’s unbeaten start to 2012 came to an end at the Stadium of Light as they were blown away by Martin O’Neill’s resurgent team.

Jonny Howson 

The transfer window was a quiet one for the Canaries and the only major singing was that of Leeds United captain Jonny Howson looks a player ready to make the next step up and will learn under the tutorship of Lambert.

Despite the midweek blow fans can be confident that they will be watching Premier League football come next season. The main concern has to be at the back with only one clean sheet against Chelsea a couple of weeks ago, they have to ensure that they score more than the opposition to pick up the points. Unlike Swansea who defensively are very sound.

In Steve Morison and Grant Holt share a rare quality the fact that they can score in the top flight having done so down the leagues. Between them they have found the net on fifteen occasions and have been aided by Canadian international Simeon Jackson who has chipped in with four strikes including the winner at West Brom in the Cup last weekend.

Former Everton youngster James Vaughan has been unlucky with injuries this season and will be a useful player for Lambert to call upon as the season progresses.

At the back the centre half pairings of former Liverpool youth products Zak Whitbread and Daniel Ayala are improving and will only learn from their experiences this season. Encouragingly in between the sticks the future looks bright with three English keepers all impressing, most recently nineteen year Jed Steer who on debut produced a man of the match performance at the Hawthorns last week. 

Daniel Ayala

Lambert has the right mix of players with a British backbone the vast majority have come though the leagues together and slowly bit by bit he will add that bit of extra class or experience where required. This transfer window just gone was very much a case of if it isn’t broken don’t fix it.

A Champions League winner with Borussia Dortmund, Lambert as a player tasted success right at the top of the game. Now as a manager he is revelling in his first season in the top flight and is refreshing to see a team blended with youth and experience prosper proving that by sticking to your beliefs and through endeavour you can achieve. 

Midweek Round-Up

On a mixed week for all involved saw Swansea being denied a famous victory, Norwich's unbeaten run come to an end and QPR throw away a two goal lead. 

After new boy Djibril Cisse struck early on to become an instant hit with his new fans,

Aston Villa recovered from a two goal deficit to deny the R’s a crucial three points in their battle to avoid the drop. 

Djibril Cisse

Mark Hughes gave Rob Hulse a surprise start after impressing in training and alongside Cisse impressed early on and the former Liverpool man opened the scoring  following Shaun Wright Phillips’ blocked shot.

Fellow debutant Taye Taiwo’s cross was bizarrely turned in by Stephen Warnock to give the away side a two nothing lead.

Goals from Darrent Bent and Charles N’Zogbia late on ensured the home side took the share of the spoils. Hughes will be left disappointed that his side were not able to pick up a crucial three points, but with Blackburn’s defeat at home to Newcastle they now find themselves two points clear and will be confident of putting a run together to ensure survival.

With Bobby Zamora set to add even more muscle and class upfront in time for the vital clash at home to fellow strugglers Wolves, the futures of DJ Campbell and jay Bothroyd look uncertain as they are set to watch on from the sidelines as Hughes decides to go with others.

They have been desperate for goals this season and now with nine strikers at his disposal Hughes will be confident that they will score enough goals to secure survival and trim his squad down and add further class in the summer.

Elsewhere it was a tough night for Norwich as their unbeaten start to 2012 was blown apart by a rampant Sunderland. A fine goal from the returning Fraizer Campbell and then a great header from Stephane Sessegnon saw the Canaries go two behind at the break.

An own goal from David Ayala compounded a bad night for the away team and they will be keen to pick themselves up in time for the visit of inform Bolton. The result sees Sunderland leapfrog the Canaries into the top half but still eleven clear of the drop zone.

Scott Sinclair 

And finally it was heartbreak for Swansea on Tuesday as ten man Chelsea pegged back Brendan Rodgers’ men deep into added on time. A stunning striker from former Chelsea man Scott Sinclair looked to have set up yet another famous victory and when Ashley Cole was dismissed his side looked to set to leave South Wales empty handed. A wicked deflection of Neil Taylor, from Jose Boswingwa’s shot left Michel Vorm with no chance.

The Swans are now fourteenth in the league and will need to ensure that they are not dragged into the dogfight at the bottom as they are currently nine points clear. 

Canaries dreaming of Wembley

As Norwich City left it left to book their place in the last 16, Swansea and QPR are knocked out and left to focus on league matters.

For our three promoted clubs finding a balance between preserving league status and going for cup glory was always going to be tough. It comes as no surprise that Norwich who are the team highest up the table are now the only side left in the FA Cup of the three sides.

Darren Pratley

We will start with Swansea’s trip to Bolton, where Brendan Rodgers made a number of changes to his starting XI and play off hero Darren Pratley came back to haunt the Swans.

A great finish from Luke Moore looked to have given the Welsh side the lead at half time but in added on time, Pratley headed home, Martin Petrov’s free kick to level up the tie.

From there on Bolton took control and an error from back up goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel gifted last year’s semi finalists the winner through Chris Eagles.

Despite rallying in the final ten minutes Rodgers’ fell short and they will return to league action against Chelsea on Wednesday, as they aim to ensure they remain clear of the trap door.

In a hotly contested lunch time kick off a dubious penalty from Juan Mata was enough to end QPR’s cup run.

Mata converted from twelve yards after Daniel Sturridge fell easily under Clint Hill’s challenge.

It had been agreed that there would be no handshakes between the two sides before the start of the game and thankfully the tie passed without much incident. Unlike Norwich and Swansea, Rangers are in serious trouble of going down and they will quickly move their focus to Wednesday night’s trip to Aston Villa.

Expect new faces come in for the game at Villa Park as Mark Hughes will look to add quality to his squad and also ship out some of the dead wood.

The one success of the cup weekend was in the Midlands as Norwich won at the Hawthorns for the second time in a number of weeks. This time it was Canadian international Simeon Jackson who struck the late winner to book a last sixteen tie at home to Championship big spenders Leicester City.

Jed Steer 

The Canaries will have been indebted to debutant keeper Jed Steer who produced a man of the match performance. He produced a number of fine saves including a sensational stop to deny Jerome Thomas.

19 year of Steer was on hand again late on to stop tie going to replay as he stopped Joe Mattock and Shane Long.

Earlier on captain Grant Holt had put Norwich ahead at the break. Mark Antoine Fortune levelled things up as he had done in the league meeting two weeks earlier.

Next up for Paul Lambert’s men is the live Sky clash with Sunderland on Wednesday as they look to extend their current six game unbeaten run. 

Late Developer Enjoying Life at the Top

In what has been a remarkable rise up the football ladder for Welsh international Steve Morison, he looks as if he has finally found his level in the Premier League, in what has been a remarkable season for everyone connected with Norwich City.

His ninth goal of the season was enough to ensure yet another crucial three points for the Canaries in their clash at West Brom on Saturday. 

It was the third consecutive league game that the Enfield born man has found the net, in what has been a fantastic start to 2012.

Steve Morrison 

Having failed to make his mark in league football at Northampton he had to start over again in the non league first with Bishop’s Stortford on loan, which was followed by a perm move to Stevenage.

He took the Conference by storm scoring seventy league goals in three seasons, and caught the attention of Millwall and was an instant success bagging twenty one goals in his opening season and securing promotion for the New Den club.

His second and final season at Millwall saw fifteen league goals and ensured that the stayed clear of the drop, international recognition followed from Wales.

In June the big chance came around for the 6’ 2” striker as Paul Lambert paid just short of three million for him.

To be honest I did not think he would be well suited to the Premier League and it was a slow start he did not find the net until a 2-1 home win against Sunderland in September.

He had although registered his first international goal against Montenegro in a Welsh victory that went a long to secure his country of birth’s place at Euro 2012.

He has made a sensational start to 2012 and Norwich find themselves only needing four more victories for survival. As fans and pundits fret about the defensive lapses at Norwich they must be delighted with the formidable partnership Morison has formed with club captain Grant Holt.

Grant Holt

At times Morison has had to lead the line alone and is just as effective. His winner at the Hawthorns was a brilliant finish, his position and then sheer power was too much for West Brom to handle as Lambert’s men stole all three points on the break.

Despite being a late developer in the top of the game Morison keeps on improving and going from strength to strength, at club and international level he is now the focal point of all forward play and has the temperament to handle the pressures.

There will not have been many defenders who would have heard of Steve Morison in August, but you can be rest assured they are now all to aware of him now.