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Wigan Athletic 2-0 Town
Sunday, 22nd Sep 2013 17:06

Ryan Shotton and Nick Powell scored a goal in either half to consign Town to a 2-0 defeat at Wigan. The result was harsh on the Blues, who hit the bar early on through Luke Chambers and had plenty of other chances.

Boss Mick McCarthy has made the one expected change with Paul Anderson coming in at right midfield for skipper Carlos Edwards, who dropped to the bench with Chambers wearing the armband.

Town were close to going in front in the second minute. Anderson sent in a corner from the left and Chambers’s downward header came back off the underside of the bar and the ball was scrambled away.

There was a further scare for the home side within a minute when a miscommunication between keeper Scott Carson and left-back James Perch almost gifted Cole Skuse the ball inside the area, however, former England goalkeeper Carson blocked at the midfielder’s feet and the ball ricocheted out for a goalkick.

Blues defender Christophe Berra appeared to be caught by Jean Beausejour’s flailing elbow midway inside the Town half in the ninth minute. Referee James Adcock stopped play, but only due to the head injury, and spoke to both players without issuing a card.

The Blues had had the better of the early stages but on 12 the home side went in front. Nick Powell sent in a deep corner from the left and on-loan Stoke defender Ryan Shotton - a one-time Town target making his league debut for the Latics — arrived at the far post to head down and into the roof of Dean Gerken’s net.

Thomas Rogne’s toe just prevented Daryl Murphy’s through ball from reaching David McGoldrick in the 15th minute, then, following a long spell of Town possession inside the Latics’ half, Luke Hyam scraped a shot wide from 20 yards.

On 21 Berra headed an Anderson corner from the left wide off a defender, then from the subsequent flagkick McGoldrick failed to test Carson with an overhead kick. Wigan broke quickly but Callum McManaman was thwarted by the sheer number of Town defenders who had got back inside the area.

McGoldrick seized on Perch and James McArthur’s error on 25 but the midfielder got back to put the ball out for a corner. The Blues striker won the ball in the air from the flagkick but couldn’t direct his header goalwards when he probably ought to have done better.

Town went close again a minute later when Skuse found Ryan Tunnicliffe breaking into the area on the left. The on-loan Manchester United man was forced into an area from where he couldn’t shoot but managed to square to McGoldrick, whose shot was blocked by Leon Barnett. The ball was half-cleared to Murphy just inside the area but his strike was stopped by Latics’ skipper Ben Watson.

The Blues were continuing to have most of the chances but the Latics looked dangerous whenever they were in or around the area. On 28 James McClean’s freekick deflected wide off the wall.

Town went close again in the 33rd minute when Chambers sent in a long throw from the right, Murphy flicked it on and Anderson headed over when he will feel he should have hit the target.


A minute later, Anderson crossed right-footed from the left and McGoldrick flicked a header across the face of goal but wide.

Town should have been on terms in the 36th minute when Aaron Cresswell’s mis-hit strike deflected to Murphy about 10 yards out but Carson reacted quickly to close him down and block. It was a great save, however, the Irishman will feel he should have scored.

Skuse’s deflected 40th minute strike forced Carson to save well down to his right with the Blues still on top and pushing for the equaliser.

Two minutes later, Berra was booked for a foul on Nick Powell - a Town target in his Crewe days - 25 yards out. The set piece was eventually played to the on-loan Manchester United man who took a couple of touches before hitting a shot not far wide of Gerken’s right post.

Moments before the break, McClean hit a shot on the turn over after a well-worked from the right but a second goal would have hugely flattered the home side.

The Latics could count themselves fortunate to be ahead at all as the sides made their way down the tunnel.

Town had been on top for the most part, having come close early on when Chambers hit the post and on a number of occasions later on in the half when Murphy in particular will feel he should have got his side back on terms.

Mick McCarthy is unlikely to have been pleased that his side conceded an early goal from an opposition corner for the second time in three games.

Town started the second period brightly, Tunnicliffe crossing from the left but Carson claiming ahead of McGoldrick and receiving a kick for his trouble.

Carson saved down to his left from the again impressive Tunnicliffe from 25 yards in the 54th minute, then two minutes later Tommy Smith got his name in referee Adcock’s book for a foul on the breaking McManaman.

From the resultant freekick, the Latics ought to have increased their lead. Watson sent the ball to the far post beyond Smith but Thomas Rogne headed wide.

Paul Taylor replaced Paul Anderson, who earlier looked to have been limping, on the hour. The striker was quickly into the action, hitting a shot over from the right having been fed by McGoldrick.

At the other end, McManaman screwed a shot wide, the impressive England U21 international suffering an injury in the process and making way for Roger Espinoza. On 74 Frank Nouble replaced Murphy in what was by now a Town front three.

Wigan went close to extending their lead in the 80th minute when Watson’s freekick found Powell, but his header flew wide. Moments later, an error by Berra allowed McArthur a shot at goal but he hit it well wide when he ought to have done better.

Taylor saw a shot deflect wide on 81, then after the corner a McGoldrick effort from a tight angle was blocked.

Town were starting to put the pressure on and in the 83rd minute Nouble sent in a low cross from the left which McGoldrick and then Tunnicliffe tried to force home but with the home defence remaining resolute.

Carson saved superbly to his right in the 86th minute from Berra’s 25-yard goalbound strike, then after the corner had been cleared, Tunnicliffe went rather less close from a similar distance.

Sub Wordsworth headed Cresswell’s deflected freekick from the right straight at Carson in the 89th minute as the Blues continued to look for the equaliser.

However, with Berra by now employed as an additional attacker, the Blues were caught by a sucker punch. Keeper Gerken tried to shield a bouncing ball into the area before grabbing it, Powell put the Town keeper under pressure and beat him to it before casually strolling in on goal and tapping home with the Blues’ players calling for a freekick.

Gerken was incensed, feeling he was fouled, claiming Powell had shoved his way past him, although the ex-Colchester keeper had had the chance to take the more cautious option of heading the ball out and the challenge probably wouldn’t have resulted in a freekick elsewhere on the pitch.

Cresswell shot well wide, then Wigan sub Chris McCann shot straight at Gerken before Tunnicliffe hit the game’s last effort into the sidenetting.

The scoreline was harsh on the Blues who had more than enough opportunities to get back on terms before Powell’s late goal on the counter-attack, having come close to going ahead through Chambers's early header.

Manager Mick McCarthy will again be bemoaning another good overall performance which has yielded a third defeat to one of last season’s relegated Premier League teams.

Wigan: Carson, Shotton, Perch (Boyce 75), Rogne, Barnett, Watson (c), McArthur, McClean, Beausejour (McCann 85), Powell, McManaman (Espinoza 65). Subs: Nicholls, Crainey, Gomez, Dicko.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Taylor 60), Hyam (Wordsworth 85), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy (Nouble 74), McGoldrick. Subs: Loach, Hewitt, Tabb, Wordsworth, Edwards. Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire). Att: 13,747.


Photo: Action Images



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NoCanariesAllowed added 17:11 - Sep 22
That game won't live long in my memory at all. Town were all right first half, Wigan were about the same but just happened to score from one of their set pieces while we didn't. If we'd kept that up I'd have been relatively content because we were honestly not that bad considering the opposition.

The problem was how we faded after our bright start to the second half. The chances seemed to dry up, and then just as we were having more of a go towards the end of the game, Gerken's gone and lost his head to gift them the second - and you could see that error coming too, given he'd already gotten away with a couple of similar mistakes earlier in the half and didn't seem to learn from it.

The score is actually what I predicted and defeat at the DW hardly comes as a shock, but I can't help feeling a bit underwhelmed - it didn't feel like Wigan had to break into much of a sweat to get that scoreline today, and I don't think we deserved a point. We were better at Reading in my view.

Hey-ho, it's gone, we move on. The 6pts from the last two games were of greater importance. Not worth dwelling on this one.
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TractorCam added 17:15 - Sep 22
Dominated them, 20 shots we had in total. Outrageous, we are so bad away from home, goalscorer please Mick!
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runaround added 17:19 - Sep 22
Sounds like we could have quite easily won but failed to convert our chances which seems to be our problem away from home. We have improved from last year but seems like mid table for us unless we can up our ratio of goals to attempts. There are some signs that we are heading in the right direction.
Judging by radio Gerken had a howler? As Loach was dropped for one real error will he be back for Brighton?
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Stato added 17:19 - Sep 22
another mid-table season beckons. you look at the career stats of all our players and only mcgoldrick has anything better than a dreadful goal scoring record so school boy error by mick to go into the season predicting those stats would suddenly improve. a change of formation is a must as we cannot justify playing 2 up front even when one of them is a big lump and 4231 is surely bettered suited to the players we have. only positive from today is mick swallowing his pride and finally giving taylor some match time.
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bluefeast added 17:20 - Sep 22
Pathetic 19 shots ,nothing scored ,absolutely ridiculous on the rd. We have been fortunate at home and away because we lack the clinical side of the game we score nothing. 6 away games 2 scored I think
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kidsurello added 17:20 - Sep 22
That was a really bizarre match to watch, thought we played really well with some nice link up play at times, some impressive one touch football, but if we have 20 shots and don't score one it's pretty obvious we need a goalscorer.
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jarrettboy added 17:21 - Sep 22
Absolutely guttered, how many chances do we need?? Seems to be same old story oh so often, playing well just can't score,(away from home). Maybe Taylor might get a start sat, he's got to be worth a start
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bluefeast added 17:24 - Sep 22
we cant score as we have average players who don't know how to ,away from home we have collected a point from 12 ,scored 2 goals. Is it not so obvious to our management that we are weak in front of goal . Im amazed , fed up , disappointed and dejected as I see the same rubbish all season ,we lack pace away from home ,nobody can finish. We are creating and not taking chances all over the place. Can we please do as others do and bring in some prem players on loan. The two scorers against us today are both on loan from prem clubs
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BillBlue added 17:26 - Sep 22
According to what I have read we have outplayed, or at least matched, QPR, Reading and now Wigan so why are they all in the top half of the table while we occupy a familiar position in the bottom half? At least one glimmer of hope today, Taylor was given a whole half an hour of match time and even brought on before Mick's pet wonder boy! Wonders will never cease!
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BillBlue added 17:26 - Sep 22
According to what I have read we have outplayed, or at least matched, QPR, Reading and now Wigan so why are they all in the top half of the table while we occupy a familiar position in the bottom half? At least one glimmer of hope today, Taylor was given a whole half an hour of match time and even brought on before Mick's pet wonder boy! Wonders will never cease!
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bluefeast added 17:27 - Sep 22
Wingers have to defend ,but its easy for the opposition as in possession we have no pace out wide. Centre mid is hard work without attacking threat. Defence is fine but we will give a goal a game away so have to score 2 at least ,and I cant see that. We also are weak on the goal keeper front clearly. Oh dear. Pathetic pathetic
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TractorBoy666 added 17:28 - Sep 22
Sounded like we were very unlucky today, but again no one was there to take the chances today when we had them. Good to see Taylor getting some game time, and hopefully Loach will get another chance. Haven't really rated Gerken that much in the time I've seen him. However, we've now lost against all 3 relegated sides. If we want to compete at the top, we need to try and get something from these games which we should have done. Oh well, roll on Saturday for hopefully another home win.
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bluefeast added 17:30 - Sep 22
I don't like to be critical of individuals but Micks pet wondeboy would not make a ryman starting 11. Cant head ,cant control ,cant invent , cant pass ,cant score. Hes a big lad though and Terry is working with him 5 hours a day on how to tie laces. So he may become good at that
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blues1 added 17:30 - Sep 22
runaround. get ur facts right. loach wasn't dropped after 1 mistake, but a number of mistakes, or hed have been out of the side after the 1st day defeat at reading. cant comment on gerkens performance today but up till today hed done nothing wrong and while he may not be the answer to the goalkeeping position, nor is loach, who simply isn't good enough, so prob need to be looking at a loan there, and a striker too as clearly we cant continue to waste chances for much longer. still, from all accounts, another good display against another of the expected contenders for promotion, so not all bad news.
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bluelodgeblue added 17:32 - Sep 22
If we had Stearman we may have drawn at least 2 of these away games. ME to blame on that one! Goals away from home will always be a problem i'm afraid the purse strings will see to that. ME to blame on that one too??
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bluefeast added 17:35 - Sep 22
play crap and win or draw away from home. Huge worry we have played our best football away from home and picked up a point. Sadness reigns ,as we are lower mid relegation material.
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Notts_tractor added 17:41 - Sep 22
Clearly goals are a problem. But also the goalkeeping position. We haven't had a reliable keeper since Fulop. Jewell dropped him for ALB, ALB then shipped 5 at home to Norwich and Fulop was never seen again, allowed to go to WBA on free. Loach is shaky and Gerken seems no better. This position has to be sorted soon - defenders need confidence in their GK, and neither of the current pair give this at all.
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jas0999 added 17:42 - Sep 22
Another poor away day result. Yes, we were playing a relegated PL team, but as with Reading, we should have taken something from the game. FIVE away games played in all competitions this season and FOUR defeats. In all but one of those we should have done better, if only we had taken our chances. At Birmingham, our only draw - we should have won. We can dress it up as much as we like - our away form has been very poor.

The reality is we lack goals. Murphy - despite his work rate and effort - will only score 7 or 8 per season (if we are lucky). The midfield lacks flair and goals. We don't have a goal scorer! Until we do, then it's mid table at best.

As for Gerken - okay he made a mistake - but Loach has made at least a dozen and fails to actually leave his goal-line. Not saying Gerken is the answer - but would be wrong to over-react - because Loach isn't good enough either.

Overall disappointed and still feel that despite an excellent job MM has done - he needs more backing from ME to sign a winger, striker and a attack minded midfielder. Until that happens, we will win some, lose some and draw some - ending mid-table. For some, that will be a good season - but for me, I'm expecting better.
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Notts_tractor added 17:45 - Sep 22
Agree with the comment about Stearman. He looked an absolute rock towards the end of last season. Unused sub for Wolves yesterday!
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Michael11 added 17:45 - Sep 22
I'm in the car on the way home and I still can't believe we've lost the game, but to lose by two is an insult. We pretty much dominated play but looked pretty clueless in the final third. Taylor looked very sharp and gave us a bit of creativity. Murphy was an absolute donkey and missed a sitter in the first half. It feels like at least a point dropped after Wigan were very poor, they didn't trouble us until they scored then did nothing really. I think Gerken was possibly at fault for the first goal and got no idea what he was doing on the second!
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thebeat added 17:49 - Sep 22
Im afraid until we get some pace in the side we will keep on losing away from home.
I never expect to get anything away, that way you dont get disappointed.
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blues1 added 17:50 - Sep 22
bluefeast. u don't like to be critical of individuals? yet you then go on to do exactly that!! unbelievable. not sure who it is ur criticising mind as u not even got the guts to name the player you on about. wouldn't be so bad even then if ur criticism was of a constructive nature rather than just being derogatory. of course every1 is entitled to an opinion before I get slated for suggesting otherwise but at least keep those opinions fair, not just plain offensive
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bluelodgeblue added 17:52 - Sep 22
Just think that ME has gone from supporting his managers (to a point) with funds and failed to having a quality manager that he fails to support?? it doesn't add up , smacks of financial panic to me??
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thebeat added 17:59 - Sep 22
blues1 bluefeast is obviously on about the worst Emile Heskey impersonation ive ever seen i.e. Nouble. And i have to say i agree totally with him.
Hes the worst player ive ever seen in a town shirt and ive seen sam parkin and neil woods
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blues1 added 18:08 - Sep 22
bluelodgeblue/ you, like many others on here still be to be of the opinion that we not spent much money this summer. wake up, while weve spent little on transfer fees, we will have spent loads in signing on fees,agents fees, then players wages after that(ave £8,000-£10,000 a week), so certainly not the pittance some of you think. on fact about the only clubs that have spent big are those with parachute money to spend. remember, with the ffp in place me could only put £6m into the club this season and most of that goes simply on keeping the club running, which is why, realistically, the only way we could spend bigger money is if we sold some1 1st, and as only player we have with a significant sale value is cresswell, means wed have had to lose him in order to spend. having said that, im pretty certain there is a budget to bring 1 or 2 on loan, as mm has already stated some time ago that he may do so if necessary, and have to say I am a bit surprised that hasn't happened yet. don't think it will be that much longer before that may happen tho. finally, while of course its disappointing that weve lost the games we have, id be much more concerned if we were playing badly and losing than playing well. as mathie said on radio Suffolk, if we keep playing this way, the results will come, but im sure the usual doom and gloom merchants will be back on here today, whinging about things. where are they when we win?
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