Thought it was a typical game of 2 halves, Murphy for me was the stand out player in the first half along with Mings. Ran out of steam and fell apart when Skuse and Bishop departed!!!

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A year to the day since our last visit to the DW and the oddities of fixture fate proved inconsequential to another changed Town. With all the world watching at home, bar a few phonebox loads inside the Wigan ground Mick made two changes to the personnel and many to the approach for tonight.

Not afraid of the unpopulist vote, Sammon came in to lead the campaign alongside Murphy. Didsy sat just behind in the hole. The introduction of Hyam saw the midfield become a V-shape with Skuse in the sweeping sweet spot. The perfect receptacle for loose balls and the cut and thrust one might expect of a night out in Wigan. The strawberry blonde fluff of Hyam and Bishop provided cover in front. An unchanged back five meant that both fullbacks had acres of space and plenty of wingers to attack without the sickly Jay to help keep Tabbs on errant runners.

Wigan would come at Town with all the pace and robust attack we've come to expect from them. An early dive conceded by Murph would be flicked downwards inches from goal and over. These fussy forays early on soon gave way to more muted and measured passing from both sides.

The tangerines of Town would take time to truly threaten but a long range drive from Murph produced a smart stop before being followed by Mings' first run at goal. The rapid rise of Tyrone saw McG scoop high but the lack of right foot from the left back meant a lack of rasper to ripple the net as he ended up near the far byline.

Skuse made himself available on the right end of a loose ball fairly often, when he did so just before the break to set Murphy through, he added a highlight from the best of the bunch. With the energy of the two academy graduates ahead it showed that for all Wigan's countering and cantering forward off the back foot, Town were content to pull and push with the best of them tonight. A poor linesman and officious official gave an edge to the first 45. Some dodgy deflections and decisions irking hosts more than us all too often but it always looked to provide controversy. Before that though came class.

Murphy ran, defender bounced, Hyam flicked and ran. McG made his body open, passed no-looky to Mings, a run inside and as bodies came together in the far end, Hyam emerged from the carnage arms aloft in celebration. Ball despatched, lead snatched. Mmm, tasty. Had Sammon's rear sent the ball en route to goal from good McG work shortly after it'd have been double joy, alas Wigan would break.

At the back Town looked solid if not all that serene. Berra in his new Mogga vogue put a new twist on an old chant when Wigan looked to break down the right, with the ever dangerous McManaman. Charging forward with longshanks pumping it was leg up, man up, you're over the line. A lucky yellow and no throw in as the first of two talking points were planted in the ground.

The second came again in rather bizarre fashion. Mings' commitment to the cause often leaves space behind and as he sought to chase down a free runner, the striped shirt skidded to the turf, having looked cannily to cross the #3's path. A certain red, was again yellow and Town's potential 9 lived on with both defenders avoiding early baths. A decision the ref might need to explain in the morning.

Town would look to work the space behind Wigan's width and did so with mostly good results. The middle V, tight and tidy for the most part allowed us to pick and pull at our recent bogey side. It was however, the simple law of possession which kept us on top as the half came to a close. Wigan having to sub dangerman McManaman well before the break came, signalling that the opening was not all that grand as far as they were concerned.

A second half with Town firing right us travelling few, erupted. Perch nearly knocked his side out of the game, selling Carson short. The once bearded stopper rushed out to meet McG, who post injury lacked the yard to do him. A close call and a sign of things to come. With the game poised nicely the hour came and our midfield composure left the field. Skuse made way for Bru as the central 3 held a flatter more fluid line.

Soon after it would allow Town to stream forward and the nearly fouled Sammon, returned the ball to McG who did the weaving which allowed the former Latic to almost join the ball in the net as he walked home instinctively. 2 up, all up, a mighty noise from the tiny travelling contingent.

Town looked likely to make it three as tonight's MOTM showed it was Murphy not Murdoch who would run the channels like a boss. Causing havoc to the home side's backline with a lot of front to try beat Carson before his touch eluded him. Soon after good work from Didsy would produce an unusually poor finish. Bending the ball wide with the outside of his right to muted growls of frustration. With that, a new look Town bid Teddy a goodnight and said hello to an old face finally. Yellow boots emerged on the chalk and crossing the line to replace the cramped up Bishop was Ambrose. For a brief second the DW became dustbowl, I'm sure.

The hosts weren't dead or buried just yet and with Town finding a third all too hard the Lancastrians showed us how it was done in spectacular style. A missile from the left hand side blasted towards goal hit former Fox Waghorn on the way in and Athletic poached one off us. The numerous corners they kept winning, finally shaped up to put the game back on a knife's edge.

Larynx and heart muscles straining in the stands as Town legs looked dead in the face of persistent Latic build ups. Tense shouts in the final throes saw Wigan toss a good chance away with a tame header down Gerken's throat. The big boys of Murphy and Sammon left McG the sole point of the Town side up front as we backed up and blocked up every hole we could see. Soon that would change with Smith adding height and numbers to the dam they were trying to bust apart.

With the final whistle, 3 points secured at the cost of many nails and many miles for some tonight. It's another win and no small ask. Tonight was all about the magic of TV it seems.

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Really good performance until the enforced midfield changes; lost their pace and shape then.By the time Wigan scored Town defended too deep. However it was the first half that was so impressive and I don't think it was simply Wigan being so ordinary at that point. ,Youthful energy. Forward passing and. Powerful strikers made us look unstoppable. Just didn't finish them off when so much in command. Plenty to look forward to if they can keep this level going. Like most posters I singled out Mings, Berra, Hyamand Murphy.

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Mings and Berra looked solid. Chambers' distribution always looks rushed. Too many long balls unnecessarily but at least he's safe. Only negative from tonight was Bru. He is truly awful and I can't believe he came on ahead of Ambrose.

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great team performance but just a bit worried about McGoldrick's form. He held the ball too long at times and tried to be too clever without any benefit. His shots were poor too but he got through a lot of work. Up to the substitutions we were in control but neither Ambrose no Bru got into game!

1

Town started sluggishly again but midway through the first half they gained the ascendency and when Hyam scored the tide had turned.

The second half began with Ipswich on top once more and when Conor Sammon scored the game should have been dead and buried but Wigan had other ideas. Although the did not really threaten until just before the goal once they scored it was one way traffic until the end and Town did well to hang on for a priceless win.

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great team performance. Just need to get Mcgoldrick firing and Bish lasting 90 mins

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well done lads,keep up the attacking play.pity we seem to panic and cannot keep possession when the other team scores late on,as was with fulham game.

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Great win away from home. Pleased to see attack minded tactics. Bit concerned about the number of cards being picked up by our players Berra and Mings are already on 4 each so suspension is not far away. Liked Sammons commitment to the cause. McGoldrick is clearly not fit.

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Fantastic away performance.

Little concerned that Mings got a booking. How many more before it's a suspension?

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