Wigan 2-2 Stoke City – Latics Secure Draw

The Latics were twice pegged back as they had to make do with a share of the points, in what was an entertaining game on Saturday afternoon.

Shaun Maloney gave the Latics the lead after only four minutes, after great link up play between the tenacious Maloney and Franco Di Santo resulted in Robert Huth clearly handling. 

Shaun Maloney

Scottish international Maloney coolly converted the penalty giving visiting keeper Asmir Begovic no chance.

Unlike their last home game Roberto Martinez’s men were quickly out of the blocks. In what was an impressive start from Martinez’s men with Chilean international Jean Beausejour tormenting the Stoke backline, but he was forced off with an injury on the half hour mark.

That seemed to kill off the Latics’ creativity and drive, as the Potters brought on new signing Charlie Adam and they gained some control especially in midfield. 

Missed chances earlier in the half proved costly as Stoke levelled in the 40th minute, Walters scoring from the spot after referee Martin Atkinson had adjudged Maynor Figueroa of handling the ball inside his own area.

Irish international Jonathan Walters fired home past new dad Ali Al Habsi, and ensured that somewhat against the run of the play the visitors went in level at the break.

Al Habsi did very well to tip Mark Wilson’s fine strike onto the bar and out for a corner as Stoke pressed for a second.

Any momentum that Tony Pulis’ side had looked to have gained was banished early in the second half. Arouna Kone did well to find Di Santo who finished smartly with a first time strike.

Despite the setback the visitors fought back and found their feet once again, and Peter Crouch levelled the game up as he rose to head home from Walters’ cross.

Al Habsi was on hand late on to deny Adam a winner on debut, when he produced an outstanding save when the free kick had taken a wicked deflection.

Many will have left the DW frustrated as the Latics twice had the lead and had much of the play and possession. Speaking after the match manager Martinez was keen to pick out the positives from his side’s display:

“We started really brightly and got the goal we deserved, but then you are looking at the manner in which the game opened up and it could have gone either way.”

The points sees the Latics remain in the top of the league on four points, next up is a trip to Old Trafford, after the international break and Martinez will be keen to see his players return to Wigan with no injuries. 

Nottingham Forest 1-4 Wigan – Latics Show Class to Progress

The Latics resisted a second half comeback from Nottingham Forest, to ease into the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Roberto Martinez’s men headed into the clash keen to avoid yet another upset, and despite deciding to field a number of fringe players, his side outclassed their Championship counterparts.

Argentinean international Mauro Boselli opened the scoring when he got on the end of a pin point delivery from Ronnie Stam.

The goal seemed to relax the Latics and they soon doubled the lead with a stunning 30 yard strike from Maynor Figueroa which stunned the Forest faithful into applause. The impressive Jordi Gomez got in on the act with a sublime right foot effort before the break, and ensured the Latics headed into the break with a three goal cushion.

Within seconds of the second half commencing Forest struck back with a wonder goal of their own, from Simon Cox which left Ali Al Habsi with no chance. 

Despite the dismissal of captain on the night Antolin Alcaraz, the Latics held firm and Callum McManaman wrapped up victory, after great link up play with debutant Ryo Miyaichi.

Having made several changes from Saturday’s victory against Southampton, Martinez will have been delighted with a performance that showed plenty of promise. With all of his first team strikers now having registered within the first three games the now faces a pleasant selection headache ahead of the Stoke clash.

At times Mauro Boselli’s movement was second to none, and despite not having the little bit of luck required early on, he made himself available to comfortably net his first goal of the season.

There is no doubt that anywhere around the box the Argentine is deadly and with so much midfield creativity now on hand, he could well make his second chance at the DW stadium count. 

For the first time in a long while the Latics can look forward to the third round draw, and will now prepare for the visit of Stoke City on Saturday. Martinez and co will be very confident of securing their first home victory of the new season at the second time of asking.

Southampton 0-2 Wigan - Strike Pair Ensure First Win

New pairing Franco Di Santo and Arouna Kone both got on the score sheet, as the Latics secured their first victory of the new season at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.

In what the first ever league meeting of the two sides, Roberto Martinez’s men put on a fantastic performance to spoil the party for home side, on what was their first home game on their return to the top flight. 

Franco Di Santo

The home side were the brighter team during the opening phases, but unlike last week the Latics were determined to weather the storm and held firm.

The first chance of the game fell to the impressive Adam Lallana, his effort was fantastically tipped onto the bar by Ali Al Habsi. The Latics stopper was bright all afternoon, and will have been delighted with his first clean sheet of the season.

Captain Gary Caldwell was on hand when he put in an impressive last ditch challenge when Lallana was really to pull the trigger.

The Latics upped the tempo at the start of the second half, and they took the lead, after Di Santo fired home smartly, following great play from the influential Shaun Maloney.

The opener seemed to drain the confidence from the home side, with the Latics midfield ensuring that the Saints were unable to get into any kind of rhythm.

Arouna Kone

On his full debut Kone wrapped up all three points, the Ivorian international dispossessed Jose Fonte and ran the length of the pitch to finish off emphatically.

The victory will serve as the perfect tonic for Martinez and his men who were made to pay last week for a poor start to the Chelsea game. With many pundits doubting their ability to cope without the now departed Victor Moses, the Spaniard was delighted with his side's effort:

“The whole team took massive responsibility after losing Moses. I am very, very satisfied because we knew how difficult it would be.”

Next up for the Latics is a midweek trip to Nottingham Forest, in the newly named Capital One Cup. Martinez is expected to ring the changes with many of the fringe players expected to be given a run out. In a game that is being televised live by Sky, Latics fans will be keen to avoid an upset and will be keen to go on a cup run.

Wigan 0-2 Chelsea - Latics Pay The Price For Bad Start

Wigan were left to rue an awful start to the opening game of the season, as European Champions Chelsea put them to the sword in the opening minutes.

With only seven minutes played, Roberto Martinez’s men faced an uphill task following goals from Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard.

Ivanovic was sent through as the impressive Eden Hazard led a Chelsea break at pace right through the heart of the Latics defence. The Serbian international, who was allowed to play despite his red card against Manchester City last weekend, finished confidently past Ali Al Habsi.

Roberto Martinez

Hazard was then upended by debutant Ivan Ramis, and Lampard smashed his penalty under the body of Al Habsi. It was a horror start to Ramis’s career as he tormented early on. Although he crew in confidence as did his team, and produced an excellent clearance in the second half, when Fernando Torres was through on goal.

Victor Moses twice went close for the Latics, forcing Peter Cech into a sharp save and subs Jordi Gomez and Arouna Kone went close late on, as they went in search for a way back into the clash.

Despite the poor start the Latics dominated much of the play but were lacking the killer touch. The absence of Jean Beasejouer was telling as the Latics were continually left wanting in the final third.

Arouna Kone & Franco Di Santo

They were unlucky not to get at least one goal that their play deserved. Kone looked impressive when he came on, and once he settled was a real threat, and is sure to be involved from the start against Southampton.

Manager Roberto Martinez speaking after the games was delighted with the work rate and desire his side displayed, despite the poor start: “In those first six minutes we looked exposed, created our own problems and were punished as a result. We started with a low intensity just like a pre season game, against a side like Chelsea we could not afford to do that.”

The Spaniard went on to explain: “We were unfortunate not to get a goal we deserved; you know how well Chelsea defend but we created good chances that didn’t quite find a way through. So delighted with the reaction, disappointed we couldn’t start the game with the same high intensity as the response but it’s left us with many positives.”

“We were the best side for 75 minutes which is a real statement against a team like Chelsea.”

Despite the horror start fans will have left the DW on Sunday afternoon, quietly confident that their side do indeed have enough to stay clear of the drop zone, and will be backing the team at Southampton next weekend.

Latics Ready To Continue Their Stay

As the Latics prepare for their eighth consecutive season amongst the elite, following a summer of uncertainty, fans will be delighted  with the business done in the market and crucially holding onto manager Roberto Martinez.

The immediate post season was an anxious affair, at one point it looked almost certain that Martinez would be on his way out. Two of the biggest names in England came calling, first of all Aston Villa, as they did twelve months earlier, asked the question, but were quickly rebuffed by Dave Whelan.

Roberto Martinez

That was just the start five times European Champions Liverpool were next to show an interest. It seemed almost certain that he would be making the short move to Merseyside but in came Whelan. For a week or so we were all treated to the ‘Dave Whelan’ show, with minute by minute updates of his manager’s movements, and for good measure he threw in the odd one liner.  For me Whelan, is free to say what he likes about his club, he took us to the promise land and we are preparing for an eighth season upsetting the establishment. 

Liverpool eventually decided to go with their ‘first’ choice Brendan Rodgers, who let’s not forget really did just pick up where Martinez left from his time at Swansea.

Let’s not forget at one stage it looked as if a deal bringing Martinez’s right hand man, Graeme Jones, to South Wales to join Swansea was going to happen, thankfully all non playing staff remain at the DW.

This season the Latics must build on the back of the last campaign. Unfortunately they aren’t able to throw money around, but have invested wisely.

Ivan Ramis

The arrival of Fraser Fyvie will bolster the midfield and the young Scot will be confident of emulating James McArthur and James McCarthy, in becoming a fixture in the starting XI.

Several players have left on free transfers, including Chris Kirkland. Former regulars Mohamed Diame and Hugo Rodellega left to pursue careers in the capital, after not playing a part in the great escape.

Ivan Ramis will provide some much needed competition to the backline, and his signing will have delighted fans, after it was revealed the former Real Mallorca man had rejected West Ham to join the Latics.

With the ongoing saga over the future of Victor Moses likely to run until the end of the transfer window, Martinez acted in securing the loan deal for Ryo Miyaichi from Arsenal.

The Japanese international is one of the hottest prospects to have ever come out of Asia, and will be given the chance to play regular games this season.

Arouna Kone 

The most recent arrival caught many off guard, Ivorian international striker Arouna Kone joined in midweek on a three year deal. Having played in Holland and Spain the former Levante man will be expected to lead the line, he netted on 15 occasions last season and a similar return for the Latics will guide them away from trouble.

If the Latics can get off to a bright start this season could well see Martinez build on the momentum his side gained at the back end of last season. A tough run over the festive period awaits, consistent form across the whole of the season will be required in order to avoid the usual late dash for survival. Latics fans would love to see a mid table finish and perhaps a cup run.