David McGoldrick netted an 88th minute winner as the Blues beat Wigan Athletic 3-2 in a rollercoaster game at the DW Stadium. Brett Pitman put Town in front from the penalty spot in the seventh minute before Yanic Wildschut scored two goals either side of the break to give the Latics the lead. But Pitman’s second of the game and then sub McGoldrick’s header won the points for the Blues.

Brett Pitman put the Blues ahead from the penalty spot in the seventh minute but Yanic Wildschut equalised for Wigan on 35 to leave the scores level at half-time.

Pitman, Andre Dozzell, Jonny Williams, Freddie Sears and Jonas Knudsen all started for the Blues as Mick McCarthy made five changes from the team which lost 2-1 at Birmingham on Tuesday.

Knudsen returned to his usual left-back role having recovered from the hamstring injury, which saw him miss the game at St Andrew’s.

Dozzell, making his first Championship start of the season, and Williams, making his first start of his fourth spell at the club, lined-up ahead of Cole Skuse in a central midfield three.

Up front, Pitman started as the central striker with Tom Lawrence on the left and Freddie Sears on the right.

Myles Kenlock, David McGoldrick, Grant Ward, Luke Varney and Jonathan Douglas all dropped to the bench.

Wigan made three changes with the injured Craig Morgan, Shaun MacDonald and Luke Garbutt dropping out and Dan Burn, Jordi Gomez and Andy Kellett coming into the team.

The Blues, in their Barcelona-esque third kit, had the better of the opening few minutes of a game which started in fog, although not thick enough to impact on players or watching supporters.

The match stopped in the fourth minute when Pitman and Burn clashed heads and required treatment before continuing.

Town continued to dominate the early stages and in the seventh minute were awarded a penalty.

Lawrence, who played for Wigan boss Warren Joyce during his time coaching Manchester United’s youngsters, skipped into the area and referee Keith Stroud judged that he was tripped by Burn as he entered the penalty area, much to the anger of the Latics players and crowd.

Pitman took the responsibility from the spot and sent the ball low to Jussi Jaaskelainen’s left and into the net to claim his second goal - and second penalty - of the season.

Town continued to play with a freedom rarely seen this season and ought to have been two in front in the 12th minute when Wigan skipper Stephen Warnock gifted the ball to Lawrence on the edge of the box but the on-loan Leicester man’s touch let him down and Jaaskelainen claimed.

Moments later, Skuse sent Sears away on the left but the former West Ham man’s shot was blocked.

On 13 Pitman was yellow-carded for kicking the ball away as Wigan prepared to take a freekick on halfway, then three minutes later Dozzell joined him in the book for pulling back Michael Jacobs.

The home side forced Bartosz Bialkowski into action for the first time from the resultant freekick, Will Grigg diverting Jordi Gomez’s cross goalwards. However, Bialkowski reacted quickly to stick out a hand to stop it and in any case the linesman had raised his flag.

Wigan were starting to come more into the game and in the 22nd minute Bialkowski had to come off his line quickly to claim ahead of Max Power after a mistake by Adam Webster.

But the Blues were still largely on top and in the 26th minute, after Lawrence had crossed from the left following a corner, Dozzell hit a shot from the edge of the box which deflected wide. From the resultant flag-kick, Pitman flicked it on and the loose ball fell to skipper Luke Chambers, who hooked a volley well over.

There was a scare at the other end a minute later when Jacobs’s cross flicked off a Town player and found Grigg but Bialkowski claimed his header.

However, Wigan got back on terms in the 35th minute. Gomez’s initial freekick hit the wall but as he brought the ball away Sears was penalised for a high boot.

The second freekick was played short to Max Power, who smashed a shot goalwards. Bialkowski saved but could only knock the ball back into the danger zone and Wildschut netted the rebound from close range.

The goal gave Wigan and their fans a huge lift and the Latics went looking for a second. On 38 scorer Wildschut saw a strike blocked, then in the 41st minute Power skipped through the Blues midfield and hit a low shot which was destined for the corner of the net until Bialkowski somehow managed to get down to his right to palm it past the post.

In the final scheduled minute of the first half Kellett was booked for a foul on Williams but Lawrence’s ball into the box was cleared.

Burn joined him in the book in injury time for a high boot as Pitman sought to nod the ball into the area when he would have been through one-on-one.

After the initial freekick was cleared, Chambers sent the ball back in from the right and the ball eventually fell to Williams, who slammed a low shot against the post.

The ball stayed in play and Williams crossed back in from the left and the ball struck a Wigan player on his hand, according to vociferous and lengthy protests from the Town players. Referee Stroud only awarded a corner, then before Lawrence could take it Jaaskelainen talked himself into the book.

Soon after referee Stroud’s ended the half and was loudly booed off by home fans for the early penalty, although the Town players might have been equally aggrieved regarding the decision just before the end.

After starting very well and claiming their lead - even if the penalty may have been fortuitous - the Blues should have made their dominance count more and Lawrence will have been disappointed not to have taken his chance.

However, rather than continuing to grab the game by the scruff of the neck Town seemed to go into themselves and allowed Wigan back into the game.

And having got on terms the home side got themselves on top, although Williams was unlucky not to restore the lead when he hit the post and the Blues players seemed adamant they ought to have been awarded a second penalty just before half-time.

The home side started the second half - played in thicker fog - the stronger, on 49 Wildschut cut in from the left and hit a shot which Bialkowski claimed, then the Dutchman struck another effort wide.

Soon after, Wildschut created more danger when he cut the ball across from the left to the edge of the six-yard box but Knudsen turned it over his own bar.

Town switched Dozzell, who had drifted out of the game having started the game promisingly, like the Blues side as a whole, and Williams for Bru and McGoldrick.

But the home side continued to look the more dangerous of the two teams. On 57 Kellett crossed from the left, Bialkowski did well to save Grigg’s flick and then Buxton headed back straight at the Town keeper.

Two minutes later, Wildschut crossed low from the left towards Grigg but Berra did well to cut it out.

However, a second Wigan goal wasn’t too much longer in coming and again Wildschut was the man on target. The ex-Middlesbrough man took the ball past Chambers and then Webster and into the area before hitting a shot from a tight angle which flew past Bialkowski.

The now-confident Latics kept up the pressure and on 64 Power hit a low shot from 20 yards which Bialkowski stopped before claiming the loose ball ahead of Grigg.

Town hadn’t been at the races at all in the second half, but in the 68th minute entirely against the run of play the Blues levelled. Knudsen’s cross was eventually played to McGoldrick, who laid it to Pitman, who smashed the ball past Jaaskelainen for his third goal of the campaign.

Having got back on terms Town came close to conjuring another chance almost immediately but Bru was unable to find McGoldrick with his final pass.

Wildschut went looking for his hat-trick at one end when he shot across the face, then Pitman felt he ought to have grabbed his when Lawrence broke down the left and cut the ball to him but the ex-Bournemouth man sent the ball well into the stand behind the goal. On 74 Sears was replaced by Ward.

With the fog even thicker as the game entered its final 15 minutes the Blues began to threaten again. After good work from Bru and McGoldrick, Ward was unable to find a Town player with a cross from the right.

But the momentum swung back to the Latics and the Blues spent several minutes pinned back in their half but without the home side managing to carve out a chance, aside from a Warnock effort which was flying wide before being blocked by Berra.

As the match moved into its final five scheduled minutes, McGoldrick found Ward on the right but the sub’s low shot failed to test Jaaskelainen. Then at the other end Wildschut sent a dangerous ball across the Town six-yard box.

But with less than two minutes remaining, the Blues won it. Bru found Ward on the right with a superb cross-field ball.The former Spurs man whipped over a cross, which McGoldrick headed into the net off the inside of the post.

In four minutes of injury time McGoldrick shot over from distance, then Lawrence picked up a booking for a dissent having been harshly ruled to have committed a foul.

Just before the end Wildschut again threatened to score his hat-trick but sent the ball over the bar and there were no further scares before referee Stroud confirmed Town’s third away win of the season.

It was a game of three-thirds. Town were well on top and dominant in the early stages having gone in front, playing as well as they have at any stage this season, but let Wigan back into it

The Latics were in charge after they scored their equaliser and should have gone on to win the game comfortably at 2-1 with the Blues very much under the cosh after the break.

However, the Blues levelled again with their first attack of the second half, then played themselves back into the game and carved out the opportunity from which McGoldrick headed the winner, his third goal of the season, on the break while battling as Wigan sought to win it at the other.

Late on, Wigan’s man of the match Wildschut might have netted an equaliser but the Blues weren’t to be denied three points which will make the Christmas period somewhat cheerier than it otherwise might have been.

The Blues climb to 15th, eight points off the relegation zone and nine points off the play-offs.

Wigan: Jaaskelainen, Kellett, Warnock (c), Buxton, Burn, Perkins (Byrne 72), Gomez, Power, Jacobs, Wildschut, Grigg. Unused: Lavercombe, Le Fondre, Davies, L Burke, Barrigan, Stubbs.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Webster, Berra, Skuse, Dozzell (Bru 56), Williams (McGoldrick 56), Sears (Ward 74), Lawrence, Pitman. Unused: Gerken, Varney, Douglas, Kenlock. Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire). Att: 10,071 (Town: 554).

Photo: TWTD

Swn98 added 17:51 - Dec 17 Hello 66 I will side with his more informed opinion if you don't mind.
-9

jas0999 added 17:54 - Dec 17 Always nice to win, particularly away from home scoring three goals in the process. However, this win was expected and conceding two against Wigan is a concern. We can't read too much into beating a second bottom team, but it is nonetheless pleasing. Good to see us pick an attack minded line up - albeit several months to late. Most recognise Christmas being the time to assess overall performance for the season to date. Despite today's win it has been below average, shocking at times. Little entertainment, poor football. 15th in the league, nine off the playoffs plus goal difference. Not good and certainly no reason to keep the manager. But Evans will. My concern now is ME not investing in January. Despite scoring three today, we need a striker and some quality reinforcements. I can just see us making do and re-signing Varney. Happy Christmas to all.

13

Bert added 17:54 - Dec 17 So, MM plays a team that most outers want to see. We win but they say MM is papering over the cracks. Perhaps the most ardent outers can make there minds up. Is it MM or the players who are responsible for losing or winning ? Perhaps it's more to do with the outers lacking any objectivity and simply perpetuating their hatred in a manner that suggests they are too friendly with irate budgie supporters. With a bit of renewed confidence we have a squad that is capable with or without MM.

-14

martin587 added 17:56 - Dec 17 A welcome 3 Points,but it only papers over the cracks.Thanks to Bart once again.Overrun for most of the game by a team second from bottom and hadn't scored at home since September,and even a hotly disputed pen.Things still need to change at the top though.
11

Swn98 added 17:56 - Dec 17 Royalascotblue you would dig a 100ft whole to find a piece of negative information enjoy the win and look forward to boxing day please.
-12

greenkingtone added 17:58 - Dec 17 I'll take the welcome win, but agree with Alex Mathie.
3

Elizabeth added 17:59 - Dec 17 At least changes were made and okay we were playing a poor side but three points was very wecome ..? Next two at home now .. Could be a good Chritmas 😊😊ðŸ˜Å
4

midastouch added 18:03 - Dec 17 I'm kind of with you there Bert. I'm not a McCarthy convert by any stretch. But at least today we put a team out to try and win (which we did) and it made for an exciting game. I do wonder if Mick might of been pushed in that direction from a certain Mr Heavens (we'll prob never know) but regardless I'm just glad we won. Yes I'm worried McCarthy could easily revert back to the tried and tested, but hopefully as enough poster said this might give him the confidence to push forward with better starting line ups. I don't think Mick will be going anywhere just yet. He's dropped a lot of clangers this season and I'd of happily driven 200 miles down the road at the drop of a hat (in fact I prob still would now with 5 minutes notice). I've been lost for words by his team selections so many times this season, but by his low standards this season, today was definitely a step in the right direction. 3 points just before Xmas, what's not to like, ho ho ho! Ok this may well be a false dawn, but right now I don't care as we got 3 much-needed points against a team we really needed to beat, so thank you very much and Merry Xmas :-)

2

Swn98 added 18:04 - Dec 17 Blue boy I don't buy into the tyrant that Mick is theory. Why won't you trust MM ? with transfer money he has made better decisions than his 2 predecessors. Any way I am glad of the win and looking forward to the 170 mile journey boxing day. Compliments of the season to you
-14

ChrisFelix added 18:18 - Dec 17 Attack is the best type of defence. We know that our defence has its problems so the solution is to score more goals than the opposition
5

Brownie added 18:18 - Dec 17 Good win & attacking team selection. Makes for happier Christmas for us all. Doesn't change my opinion re manager but he deserves credit for selection today. Can they keep it up against Fulham? I'd rather have Brussel Sprouts than see Douglas start that game.. Enjoy tonight & Merry Christmas to all tractor boys & girls.
13

warktheline added 18:20 - Dec 17 Now go ahead and change your back 4 McCarthy! Make my Xmas punk!
6

midastouch added 18:22 - Dec 17 And imagine for a minute how bad we'd of all felt if we lost 3-2 with a late goal? We concede so many late goals so it was particularly nice to get one at the right end for a change! Relegation (while still not out of the question) seems less likely now and we can all drink to that! :-) Mick is not the man for me but if he can at least hand over the keys to somebody else while we are still in this division, then I'd be content with that. I'm kind of resigned to it as I don't see him getting the push from Heavens unless we drop into the bottom 3 and surely none of us want to risk that scenario! It would be much more preferable for the next manager to be handed the keys while we are still in the Championship rather than try and rebuild from League 1 with even fewer resources. And if we went down our better players would likely be picked off by swooping vultures (think Charlton when we went into administration). So it might just be a rearguard holding action (a bit like the Phoney War) while Mick sees out his contract and then hopefully we get somebody in with some fresh ideas to push us forwards and bring the good times back again. So I think we're going to have to be patient and pray that Mr Heavens gets the next appointment right when the times comes (as he's not the best track record for appointing managers!) and most importantly gives them some much-needed financial backing as he's been a bit of an Xmas Scrooge in more recent times!

3

J45 added 18:22 - Dec 17 We have all been saying how much we wanted an attacking side and finally McCarthy has given us that today, how long have we all been saying it doesn't matter how many you concede with players like Williams, mcgoldrick, Sears etc. You will generally score more than you let in! Today is proof! We have one of the best goalkeepers in the division with 2 good centre halfs in front of him aswell which helps. I am not saying today means we will go on and get in the playoffs or that McCarthy is now some tactical mastermind but it is a small improvement. I honestly believe with a manger who is willing to play our best players and not pick his favourites, all we need is a decent RB (chambers got done over and over again today) and a striker. After that the side begins to look half decent. Bring on the new year where hopefully McCarthy sees this game as a step in the right direction and changes his style of play and team selections. If not a new young hungry manager wanting to prove himself should take over and do something with what is on paper a pretty good championship line up! COYB!!

10

Kirbmeister added 18:24 - Dec 17 chrishants - scoring more goals than the opposition is a good philosophy- I think all teams should adopt it.
5

itfchorry added 18:24 - Dec 17 Was at the game - Great win - even better support Chambers made Wildshuct look like Ronaldo. Sadly papering over large cracks, though all changes made today were welcome. We are going absolutely nowhere under McCarthy and need a complete overhall at our once proud club. Happy Christmas to you aswell Jass099 and once again for your brilliant earlier post SuffolknGood.

16

runaround added 18:27 - Dec 17 I'm pleased we won & pleased we played a much more attacking formation. That is all I ask that we go into matches trying to win games & score goals, entertaining people, rather than trying not to lose, keeping it tight, grinding & being pragmatic. It's a step in the right direction but there has been a few false dawns in 2016 with ITFC. I hope Mick has realised but time will tell. If he has & continues to play this way then great but if he revers to negativity then he needs replacing. 3 home matches coming up including Lincoln. No reason not to go for it in them surely

11

BillBlue added 18:32 - Dec 17 Yes a win and three points is a welcome change but I think only one person on here has mentioned the critical point, we allowed two goals in against the second bottom side who have found it as difficult as we have to score and from what I read that should have been four. Yes Mick did, at last, put out a slightly more attacking side but the four back men who should have been changed years ago remained rock solid. It is not only Mick who needs a journey but his so called 'Captain' as well, or else move him into the middle where he used to be ok. Mick has never been able to see the obvious - like dropping Douglas - which somewhat reminds me of SWN 98!

12

BillBlue added 18:37 - Dec 17 ps. How can we determine how many people have voted in Phil's Poll, anyone know?
2

Vizslaraner added 18:39 - Dec 17 Let's be brutally honest, if this was anyone else we would have lost this. This lot have a worse scoring record than us so to me this shows exactly where we are under this arrogant, dull and boring man! He picked a more attacking line up due to his arrogance and stubbornness backfiring and he knows it can't go on for much longer. To those who back this dinosaur, tell me who he has improved as a player? He's destroyed Freddie playing him everywhere he shouldn't, and Grant Ward by changing his game to name two with his negative and unimaginative brand of football. Webster is the only one who he hasn't and that's due to him being such a good centre back and playing where he should. He's destroyed chambers confidence by playing him as a full back and not taking him out the firing line ages ago. Don't get me started on the two young full backs. In 40 years of watching Town this is even worse than under John Duncan. I always went to football with hope and excitement but under this man I can't even get excited when we manage to score. Those who blame the players need to look deeper than that, they are shackled and playing to ridgid instruction and not allowed to express themselves. Furthermore, this business of not being backed financially is true, but don't forget this is his team and due to his lack of imagination and dour nature he won't improve players or take us forward. The sooner Evans grows a set and gets rid the better. Sunderland and wolves revisited, Groundhog Day and we are now the poor fans who have to watch this muck. As someone said last week, if this idiot was made of chocolate he would lick himself. Glad to get the win but he has to go and NOW.

23

BrettenhamBlue added 18:40 - Dec 17 Another stunning performance by Bart. But the outfielders deserve credit also, we scored 3 goals, a long time since we have done that. Happy Xmas Everyone.
6

tractorboybig added 18:50 - Dec 17 Listern on I player. we were totally out played for 75 mins and a lucky win, Which team here looks like going down
2

blueboy1981 added 18:51 - Dec 17 Swn98 ......... 'made better use of transfer money than his two predecessors' ?? ....... I prefer to NOT use that as a comparison - he hasn't had to be great to better that - but he has ruined a few players by continuously playing them out of position. And continues to do so.
16

MicksZzzTactics added 18:52 - Dec 17 @BillBlue Regarding your question(s) to the poll's sample size please read my 2 posts here: http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/30796/town-visit-wigan-looking-to-ease-w .... but generally speaking you should also be able to see the number of respondents for EACH part of the poll "cake/circle" by just holding your cursor over said part for a few seconds. Sorry, but that's all I've got time to write NOW .... out this and everything else for that matter as I'm just about to being locked up in a "no phones allowed" movie theater! :-)

8

Cloddyseedbed added 18:56 - Dec 17 It was a good win against the worst or one of the worst teams in our league and we scored 3 goals against them but we struggled at times against them and let them score 2. Kenlock was dropped for Knudsens and Chambers continued his nightmare season. Does today's result and performance change my mind about MM.........no.
13

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls