Latics 1-2 West Brom – Latics Run Halted By Impressive Baggies

The Latics were unable to secure a third straight victory on Saturday afternoon, as an impressive West Brom maintained their excellent start to the season.

Scottish international James Morrison headed past Ali Al Habsi, before full back Billy Jones broke free inside the area to see his effort deflected into the net off Gary Caldwell.

Arouna Kone 

The Latics response was immediate with Arouna Kone getting on the end Jean Beausejour’s low cross to reduce areas before the break.

Despite the obvious boost that the goal provided Roberto Martinez’s men they were unable to break down Steve Clarke’s organised unit. The Baggies continually posed a threat on the break with on loan Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku denied by a great save from Al Habsi.

Led by the centre half pairing of Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson, the Baggies held firm, as the Latics went in search of their second, despite having much of the possession clear cut chances were at a premium.

Having secured a memorable away win at Tottenham last weekend, the Latics were unable to replicate their free flowing forward play, on what proved to be a frustrating afternoon for all involved.

Despite starting brightly the Latics were unable to make their early dominance count with Ben Watson controlling the midfield last week’s match winner went close with a long range effort. Despite looking un easy Welsh keeper Boaz Myhill, who was starting his first game since conceding six on international duty, was not tested enough and was allowed to find his way into the game. 

Billy Jones

Watson’s second half effort was kept out by Myhill and Chilean international Beausejour was unable to keep his follow up down. Shaun Maloney went close late on but they were unable to find the all important equaliser.

Up next for the Latics is a trip to Liverpool, where they will hope to reproduce their performance last season when they left Anfield with all three points, which sparked the great escape.

Fans will keep an eye on Franco Di Santo who could line up alongside Lionel Messi for his Argentina debut as they take on Saudi Arabia in midweek.

Martinez will be keen to ensure that his other international stars return from midweek friendly duty unhurt, as they prepare to clock up the miles, ahead of the return to Wigan in time for the short trip to Merseyside on Saturday. 

The South American Influence

As we said goodbye to a memorable 2011/12 season on Sunday, I caught up with the BBC’s South American Football expert, the Legendinho, Tim Vickery on Friday evening, and discussed his thoughts on the current South American contingent at the DW Stadium.

Franco Di Santo

In his second full season at the DW Stadium, since arriving from Chelsea back in the summer of 2010, the Argentinean has improved greatly.

Franco Di Santo

Having started out at Audax Italiano in the Chilean Primera Division, he made a real impression, and Tim expressed his disappointment, at his decision to move to Chelsea: “I was disappointed when he joined Chelsea, he’d been playing so well for Audax, scoring goals not only in the league but in the Copa Libertadores. (the continent’s equivalent of the Champions League). It was the wrong move at the wrong time.”

Having bagged 7 times this season including crucial strikes against Arsenal and Newcastle, the number 9 has won the adoration of fans, and is set for a big future at the club.

Tim pointed out that Di Santo will gain confidence from this season and will go from strength to strength: “He’s a versatile striker, who can play anyone along the front line, and we’ve seen over the last few months what he can do, given a run of games.”

With reported interest from Stoke City and considering his ill-advised move to Chelsea, perhaps think twice ahead of any move away from Wigan, as the club will play a huge part in his all round development.

The key for Di Santo is goals, as is the case with any forward, if he can get into double figures for the first time in a Wigan shirt next season, it will go a long way to improving his game and crucially the Latics as a club.

Jean Beausejour

Having been relegated with Birmingham City at the end of last season, his January arrival was met with some scepticism by fans.

Against the odds his arrival sparked a revival in the Latics form, and he has played a huge part in the club winning seven of their last nine games.

Jean Beausejour

Tim talked up the versatility that the Chilean international offers to the Latics: “To any team, he offers so much versatility; he can play in a number of positions even left wing back. His club career has floundered unlike his international form which secured his move to England, following the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, where his side impressed at times.”

His flexibility and work rate allowed for manager Roberto Martinez to implement a complete change of formation, in order to fight against relegation. It was seen as a bold move and a gamble in hindsight, that has certainly paid off, and Tim expressed his delight at the success that Beasuejour has had at the Latics: “I am delighted that he has come off at Wigan, he is sure to play a huge part for the club next season.”

Antolin Alcaraz

The Paraguayan international has formed a reliable and solid partnership with captain Gary Caldwell during the run in.

He has chipped in with goals also from set pieces, with the crucial opener against Stoke City back in March, and his late winner at Blackburn will live long in the memory.

Having played his entire career in Europe notably with Beira Mar in Portugal and Club Brugge of Belgium, he has settled into life in the English top flight quicker than most South American’s.

Antolin Alcaraz

Tim spoke of Alcaraz's ability to lead the backline: “He was unheard of in Paraguay when he won his first cap, since then he has flourished paying at the World Cup and he scored a memorable goal against, the then, World Champions Italy.

He came into the squad to add height, he does perhaps lack the class of a true quality centre half, but he has done very well to settle in, in England and is reliable.”

For Alcaraz he like many at the club will fast forward through the first half the end of season DVD, but will take serious encouragement from his form in the back end of the campaign. 

He is likely to link up with Caldwell once again come August but will expect some serious competition, as the Latics will go out to add defensive cover, in the transfer market. 

Wigan 1-0 Manchester United

At the fifteenth attempt the Latics have finally triumphed over Manchester United, as Shaun Maloney’s historic second half strike lifts his side out of the drop zone.

The Scottish international buried the winner from 20 yards out to give the Latics a deserved victory against an out of sorts United.

Shaun Maloney

Victor Moses’ first half header was wrongly ruled out in the first half after Captain Gary Caldwell was adjudged to have impeded visiting keeper David De Gea.

In yet another game littered with poor decisions from the officials, the eventual winner was seen to have come from a corner that should not have been. But as the old saying goes, decisions do have a tendency to even themselves out over the course of a season.

The result sees Wigan finally overcome the 19 time league Champions, and ensured that they keep up with their impressive run of form. Following their contentious last gasp defeat at Chelsea on Saturday, it would have perhaps been easy for their heads to drop.

Instead Roberto Martinez’s men made up for Saturday’s heartache by sealing what could prove to be a huge victory for his side. He had called for a “perfect” performance and they delivered ten fold.

As usual they dictated much of the play in the first half, but once again failed to trouble the opposition keeper. This was until Moses’ goal was ruled out, sparking outrage from the home bench.

Despite the setback they kept their cool and finally took the lead early into the second half.  It was nothing more than their play merited, Maloney worked a short corner with the impressive Jean Beausejour to curl an outstanding strike past De Gea.

Jean Beausejour

For much of the game Wigan were comfortable with 52% of the possession, and United were restricted to just three attempts on target. Even the expected late onslaught from the Champions didn’t materialise.

In the other results QPR picked up three points with a 3-0 victory against Swansea which sees them remaining level on 31 points with the Latics. Crucially Martinez’s men are now out of the drop zone, for the first time since November.

Despite this being an unexpected victory it will serve as a huge boost in the push for survival and next up is an equally tough task on Monday night at Arsenal.

On tonight’s evidence the belief is flowing throughout the team and the performances of late have shown that the Latics are up for the fight and are ready to pull of the great escape once again.

Latics Secure Vital Win

Wigan 2-0 Stoke City 

In what was described this week as a must win game the Latics responsed to the pressure to produce an outstanding performance, and secured back to back victories for the first time this season. 

Roberto Martinez’s men had the DW Stadium rocking, as they secured only their second home victory of the season. The Spaniard decided to stick with the same XI that came back from Anfield last weekend with all three points.

Roberto Martinez 

The Latics were dominant from the outset with the midfield pairing of James McArthur and James McCarthy running the game. Although keep Ali Al Habsi pulled off an outstanding stop to keep out Ryan Shawcross in what was the only clear cut chance that his side were able to muster all afternoon.

Scottish international Shaun Maloney kept up his impressive run of form with a man of the match performance and played an integral part in the opening goal.

His quick thinking from a free kick played through Beausejour who attonded for his earlier sitter with an inch perfect cross which was emphatically met by centre half Antolin Alcaraz. 

The goal was more than the Latics deserved as a result of their dominance and arguably should have had a spot kick as Dean Whitehead handled the ball from McArthur’s shot, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved away the appeals.

Wigan Celebrate Moses' Goal 

At times the play from the home side was delightful and was a real treat for the home fans who have been very patient this season after seeing them only pick up the one victory.

The visitors were left frustrated by being played off the park by Martinez’s men for much of the game and as a result had four players cautioned and were unable to retain possession. 

Martinez tightened things up in the closing stages to ensure that his side secured the crucial victory but in all honesty the result never looked in doubt.

The second goal came on the break as Victor Moses fought hard and chased down what seemed to be a lost cause, as he disposed Andy Wilkinson on the half way line and made his way to goal.

The Nigerian international kept his cool despite attempts to bring him down and slotted home to send the Latics fans into delirium.

Once again results elsewhere have not been kind to Wigan as they remain in the bottom three but now only on goal difference. Tough away trips to London with Chelsea and Arsenal are broken up with the visit of the Manchester United and anything that they can pick up from these games could be crucial. 

Belief is the key and momentum is crucial at this stage of the season and with seven games left to play Martinez will be very confident that he can lead the Latics to the great escape once again.

Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi, Alcaraz, McCarthy, Caldwell (c), Di Santo (Gomez 81), Maloney (Watson 69), Moses, McArthur, Boyce, Beausejour (Sammon 86), Figueroa.
Unused Subs: Kirland, Crusat, Jones, Stam.
 
Stoke City: Begovic, Huth, Wilson, Pennant (Palacios 65), Shawcross (c), Whitehead, Walters (Fuller 65), Crouch, Etherington (Jerome 48), Whelan, Wilkinson.
Unused Subs:  Sorensen, Jones, Upson, Shotton

Attendance: 19,786 

Martinez Unleashes Secret Weapon

As the Latics were facing yet another defeat at Carrow Road, manager Roberto Martinez called upon Scottish international, Shaun Maloney to change the game a decision that could ensure survival.

The Malaysian born summer signing from Celtic, has faltered badly in what is now his second spell in the Premier League. He made his first team debut in the Carling Cup defeat to Crystal Palace in August and was restricted to only three appearances from the bench, before his cameo against Norwich.

Shaun Maloney 

In a performance that Martinez described as “outstanding” the Spaniard rewarded the former Aston Villa man with a place in the starting XI in the last two outings. 

His most significant contribution for the Latics came on Saturday when, after a long delay he coolly dispatched his spot kick at Anfield to set up a memorable victory which reignites the relegation battle.

Having burst onto the scene with Celtic, Maloney since has flattered to deceive. He followed Martin O’Neill to Villa Park and struggled to impose himself and swiftly returned to the SPL the following season.

He settled back down in Scotland and for a fee just short of a million, Martinez saw fit to give Maloney his second chance in the England.

For the vast majority of this season he has been the forgotten man at the DW Stadium, dogged by fitness issues his introduction at Norwich was the tonic the Latics needed.

Just like a new signing he has had a positive influence on the pitch; he is lively and crucially carries a goal threat. Alongside Jean Beausejour and Victor Moses he will create chances for the front men and his time in Scotland shows he can bag as well.

Roberto Martinez

At the age of 29 this is certainly his last chance to impress across the border and having been left on the sidelines for much of the campaign. He is now set for a run in the team until the end of the season and will look to repay the faith shown in him from Martinez.

The push for survival continues on Saturday at home to Stoke and you can expect to see Maloney in action once again and without a doubt he is going to play a huge part in the scrap and could well land himself a place in Wigan folklore. 

Latics Land Huge Win

As captain Gary Caldwell exquisitely struck the winner, in front of the Kop end he breathed fire into his club’s fight for Premier League survival.

In what was a wonderful team performance the Latics dominated for long periods and they took the lead after half an hour, after Martin Skrtel struck the lively Victor Moses plum in the face, and Shaun Maloney did the honours from the spot.

Gary Caldwell

Roberto Martinez kept the belief in the starting XI that drew with West Brom last weekend and his rallying call during the week seemed to do the trick.

Chilean international Jean Beausejour was a constant threat all afternoon as he and Moses proved to be a handful for both Liverpool full backs, but as with on many occasions this season the end product was lacking.

This was until the usually reliable Skrtel lost his composure and raised his boot in the face of Moses, leaving Lee Mason with no other option but to point to the spot.

After a long wait as a result of the injury to Moses, (which was to eventually force him off) Maloney held his cool and sent the travelling Latics into delirium.

After the break the controversial Luis Suarez levelled things up after some great link up play with Steven Gerrard and it looked very much as if that would be that.

Suarez looked to have given the home side the lead with a header, but after some confusion he was adjudged to have impeded Caldwell.

This seemed to give the Latics the wakeup call they needed as Martinez marshalled the troops from the sideline and eventually his side regained their composure and control of the game.

The winner game after James McCarthy’s speculative strike caught the Liverpool backline out and Caldwell pounced as the ball fell to him and he struck the historical winner.

Shaun Maloney

Results elsewhere mean the Latics remain in the drop zone but are now within one point of Bolton in seventeenth and results elsewhere see Wolves cut adrift at the foot of the table.

After a string of encouraging performances this result will have pundits take note the Latics are well and truly up for the fight.

Next up it is Stoke City at home, in what is simply a must win game. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal follow Saturday’s encounter and 3 points are a must.

Wigan 0-2 Swansea - 3 things we've learned

Gylfi Sigurdsson – Has a big future in the game

The Icelandic international on loan from German outfit Hoffenheim stole the show with two outstanding strikes from outside the area.

The former Reading man has been instrumental since his arrival in January and scored in their away win at West Brom. He is no stranger to wonder goals with his first strike for former club Reading coming from 35 yards out at home to Burton Albion in the Carling Cup.

Gylfi Sigurdsson 

Yesterday he looked cool and composed figure in the heart of the midfield and stood up well to the challenge of the tough Wigan midfield. His strike on the stroke of half time ensured the Swans took the lead before the break after dominating much of the opening period.

It was only ten minutes into the second half when after Nathan Dyer was fouled he left Al Habsi rooted to the spot as he curled an outstanding free kick to send the Swansea fans into delirium.

His signing is testament again to Brendan Rodgers as he has settled into the side and yesterday’s showing was testament to how pivotal he is to the Welsh club. The sending off of Dyer meant Sigurdsson had to be sacrfied as they held firm for the final half an hour.

He will get a lot of interest from a number of clubs in the summer and Rodgers will be hoping he can secure the signature as he adds something different to the his cultured side.

Wigan – They are in big trouble

The weekend’s result will leave many Latics fans frustrated as they missed out on a huge opportunity to move out of the drop zone.

Results elsewhere over the weekend have been kind to Roberto Martinez and his men as they still find themselves only two points from safety with eleven games to go.

Jean Beausejour 

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 proving to be huge problem.

In order to stay up they have to improve at home one win against QPR back in August is the only time they have picked up three points at the DW stadium. West Brom and Stoke provide the opposition in their next two games at home in what are now must win games.

Martinez cannot afford to leave the likes of Mohammed Diame and Victor Moses on the bench as he did on Saturday. Connor Sammon was poor an infective and did not look up for the fight, encouragingly new singing Jean Beausejour looked lively throughout and will provide the front men with the required ammunition.

It is going to be tough for Wigan to pull off yet another great escape but do not bet against them, they seem to thrive in adversity, right now they are low but on Saturday’s showing things can only get better.

Swansea – Big win at the right time

Brendan Rodgers’ hailed his side after a terrific performance ensured they picked up their third win on the road this season and ease any concerns they might have over being dragged into the relegation dog fight.

The performance highlighted the quality Rodgers’ has at his disposal right across the pitch. They created a number of chances with Scott Sinclair having a chance cleared off the line before Gylfi Sigurdsson’s wonderful opener. He then doubled the lead before Nathan Dyer’s somewhat harsh dismissal meant a change of plan was required. 

Nathan Dyer 

Stalwart Alan Tate was called upon to tighten up defence in preparation for the Wigan onslaught that never materialised in the final part of the game. At the back the pairing of Ashley Williams and Steven Caulker were strong and on either flank Neil Taylor and Angel Rangel offered great support going forward and held firm when they were down to ten men 

What has impressed me the most about Swansea this season is how organised they are defensively. Despite going down to ten men they never looked under pressure and you got a feeling that they would big up their third victory on the road this season.

With eleven games to go they find themselves comfortably eleven points clear of the dog fight and Rodgers' will ensure his side pick up the remaining seven points they need to hit the magic forty points mark. 

They will now look forward to the visit of league leaders Manchester City to South Wales next weekend. If they continue with their impressive form they will grace the top flight for a second consecutive season something that will delight their fans and neutrals alike.