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

-6

I was at the game today I thought we were great. Just one of them days. Lots of positives to take. We are a much better side now than what we have been for many years it will take more time but we will get their under Micks guidance. COYB!!!!

7

Town lined up once more in 442. Anderson replacing the elder statesmen Edwards in an otherwise unchanged side. The weather-beaten cathedral of football which hosts Wigan Athletic is a neo-classical rhapsody of concrete, cast iron and curved plastic. The crowning monument to the team what Jewell built is surrounded by a vast retail-park of depressingly familiar chains and names; telling us it's history in corporate initials and faded seats. It was the perfect setting to see how Town measure up to another set of recent space-takers in the Premier League.

In a place once legendary for it's Northern Soul, Town had the uneviable task of making more contemporary moves akin to soul star Chris Brown and beat Athletic at home. Hope turned to belief as immediately McGoldrick danced and jerked into the box with a decent opening effort. Palmed away, Town were hit on the break to mark the rhythm of a game where both sides danced around making decisions to take a lead early on.

With a lineup boasting McClean and McManaman alongside once speculative Town target Powell in attack: it was no surprise to see Wigan attack us viciously and with pace, but rarely able to stretch a resolute Town defence. Despite a generous and under par Cresswell giving the ball away Town made the best of many attacks throughout the game.

An early corner headed down by Murphy was kept out by arm, body and bar alike before being swatted away amid premature celebrations at the other end. Town were refreshing in their numerous crosses fired across the eyes of jumpy defenders but headers from Anderson, McG and Murphy all went wide between the breakthrough being made.

Wigan's first shot on goal was a Shotton goal, and was as awkward as it reads. A simple cut out by Hyam saw a corner loop to the back post. Another former Town link broke away cheaply from Chambers to cannon a header off of Gerken's chest into the roof of the net. Goal down after roughly quarter of an hour. It was a black mark on good performance from the skipper as he lost the only skirmish of the game he'd have with his opposite number.

Meanwhile for all the running onto loose balls the game was only going in one direction for large parts. Town heaped pressure with possession football. The groans of “back again” were perhaps not pained appreciation of the need to keep the ball if you want to score.

A weak ref failed to spot an early elbow from Beausejour in full flight. The offence was unquestionable and if you ask an irate Berra who copped it in the mush, so was the intent. Such determined fury from the Franco-Scot should be bottled, however only the decision was. Drop the ball ref? You certainly did son.

Despite near post acrobatics from the again superb McGoldrick or one long move seeing Hyam scared to shoot before Town whizzed another cross just wide; the build up of pressure became palpable. Complete with comedy pirate beard and luminous garb Carson was Athletic's very own maritime Action Man. Diving to the rescue every time we sent his colleagues all at sea. His fingertips prevented a furious Cole Skuse drive from levelling despite it's rocket-propelled nature.

The Town star whose follicles are dusted with silver failed to land a golden touch and the problem was contagious. Murphy soon found himself all lone with a looping bounce falling onto a testing volley which somehow went directly into touch via Carson's palms. At the break Town trailed undeservedly. Anderson stood out as the congregation of die-hard supporters hoped our boys would stand up and be counted in the second half.

Town again started brightly bearing down on goal with little reward. Wigan seemed happier to sit and chip onto the shoulders of last defenders despite being caught by quick flags and a line high and true repeatedly. Tunnicliffe took over from Anderson as the stand-out in midfield. A solid first half for the loanee was built upon with smart passes, incisive runs and yards covered catching errant attackers. Soon on the hour Anderson would be replaced by Taylor.

A phenomena certain experts assured me would never happen did as Town's cut-price Ribery took up his position on the right flank. They clearly failed to consider his historical affection for long white lines as he cut one up, and broke free to fire an audacious rasp into the rafters. Lively and infectious the move spread fear across the hosts.

Town hit them again and again and failed to land. Despite counters seeing numerous build ups of Latics around the edge of box we never looked disjointed. Total football it was not, but neither was it far from totally convincing that the game was lost.

McG knocked down a header for Tunners to turn and shoot again too close to Carson. Murphy made and seemed to break moves with flicks not always seen. It was small details such as this which painted the bigger picture of defeat for Town – he was far from the only one. Too often when collapse looked far from imminent, the ball refused to fall kindly for a shot or cross to see a red shirt wheel away in delight. It would cost Murph as he morphed into a shaky looking Nouble minutes later.

A more assured looking Hyam cut out play until the dying minutes when he too was cut from the game for Wordsworth's lighter touch was preferred to loosen up Wigan's tentative grip on the game. Corners were attacked by eight then none then ten men as Town looked to capitalise on inspiring build up play as time ticked on.

However hope became hopelessness as Gerken made a mistake on a keeper can. Having previously misjudged one of many lumps forward (before falling backwards and clamping his hands around it inside his area as the rest of his body lay prone outside it) he broke the tension and our hearts late on. Looping over his head as it bounced, Carson's clearance fell for a gleeful Powell who had scouted an opportunity. Turning the ball into an empty net as Town players were camped out in front of their own fans at the other end it signalled rivers, nay floods towards the exits.

The score did not reflect the performance. The support did not deserve to be mocked by the now awake dozens of home fans, sitting there clapping along to someone else's song. Modern football? You can stick it up your arse.

11

Although, whereas I agree with Mullet, the surroundings were a tad industrial and modern, I feel that Wigan have got many things right. They had an away fans bar as part of the ground, which was being promoted by a friendly member of staff. Sharpy's Fish 'n' Chippy was superbly located, and very keenly priced, literally outside of our turnstiles. We parked right outside of the ground for £5 and at £15 for me and a £5 for the boy, it was all very refreshing and possibly unexpected from a team that has spent a few years in the Prem and who will, I suspect, suffer low crowds.

We probably share too the opinion that we simply need to score more goals and finish some of these chances we create. Scott Carson did make some very good saves in both halves and a combination of blocks, the bar and some poor, off target shooting - or an almost reluctance to shoot on occasions - meant we ended the game goalless Had we been four up at half time, that would have been a better reflection of the chances we should have taken.

Their first goal was soft for me. Why we - or other teams - do not have a man defending on the back post these days is beyond me. If we had, that goal wouldn't have been. If it is good enough for junior football... And at a time when we were pressing for a deserved equaliser, I simply cannot even start to think was Gerken was thinking at all.

Two poor goals to give away, but that said, Wigan did miss good chances, including some free kicks in very good positions just outside of our box.

Too many times did we give away silly freekicks, Luke Hyam being a prime example and talking of Hyam - we know he has potential - but he had a shocker today. Had Mick taken him off at halftime it wouldn't have been too soon. The poor lad looked out of his depth all game, replacing him with Wordsworth was far too late when it happened.

As mentioned by another poster, our plan A seems to be get it onto Murphy's head. For throw-ins the lack of movement and options is a concern, the impressive Skuse tends to be the only man moving and showing for the ball. Think we need more ideas - although that said, we did create chances which we should have taken, but teams and opposition managers shouldn't have too much trouble sussing us out and setting up and playing against us accordingly. I also feel that Wigan were granted too many opportunities. We need to tighten things up.

Some negative stuff here I know, but we did lose 2-0.... what do you expect? Brighter comments, I like Skuse, Tunnicliffe showed some nice work and ability and Paul Taylor when he came on made a difference. He looked tricky, up for it and made one or two things happen. I'd like to see him start against B&HA. Anderson looked lively and closed down well I thought. The back four did okay, although an early yellow card for Berra was a concern, he did well to be as combative and as competitive for the remainder of the game.

Overall, very disappointing indeed. I'd have taken a draw, which would have been a more accurate reflection, but with missed chances and two soft goals, it could and perhaps should have been a better result.

6

Cheap as chips to get in - £30 for my boy, my old am and myself can't be bad can it! Modern and concrete it maybe but a great view and what looked like a great playing surface for a decent price.
The expected Town 11 started on the front foot and had Wigan on the rack during the opening exchanges. When Chambers headed an early Anderson set piece onto the bar we were certainly in control. The home side gradually got a foothold and long, cross field balls towards McClean and the scampering feet of Mcmanaman threatened our back line on the break.
12 minutes in and a corner to the back post saw Shotton lose Chambers and head goalwards from five yards. Gerken made a hash of it, misjudged the bounce and the ball snook past him on the near post. Poor goalkeeping for me. Town responded and several chances went begging. Anderson looked better and there were lots of crosses going into the Wigan box. Anderson, Berra and McGoldrick had chances, Skuse forced a fine save from Carson, Tunnicliffe had a decent opportunity and Murphy spurned the best chance to draw the boys level as we had control of the game for the most part. The former Premier League outfit still looked dangerous on the break and one or two set piece deliveries threatened a second home goal. At the interval we did not deserve to be behind but football is quite a simple game - it's all about putting the ball into the net and we hadn't done it.
The second period was much of the same. Whilst Wigan had opportunities from crosses and quick breaks, Town had most of the ball but lacked the killer instinct. Tunnicliffe looked strong and full of running and at no point did Wigan look a superior outfit to Town. On the hour, Anderson was replaced by Taylor. An intriguing move by McCarthy and the diminutive Scouser brought an added verve to the Town right flank, attacking at pace with trickery and a willingness to take a shot at goal. Corner after corner, cross after cross went into the Wigan box but we just didn't seem to be able to apply the killer touch. The home side maintained a solid back line, Carson making some fine stops (notably from a strike from Berra) and the ever present threat of a sucker punch second for Wigan made for decent entertainment. Nouble and Wordsworth replaced Murphy and Hyam as we pressed for the goal we deserved. Maybe the writing was on the wall when Gerken had made a meal of a through-ball earlier in the half, eventually falling onto it rather clumsily on the edge of his area but the newly crowned number one decided to have another go as the game entered stoppage time. A hopeful long ball was there for him to head clear all day. he didn't, electing instead to try and shield it into his area. He made a mess, Powell bundled past him and calmly slotted past Chambers on the line - 2-0 - goodnight Vienna. Cruel for we had played well. Mick must be getting tired of saying the same thing. Performance good, result not. With a genuine goal threat alongside McGoldrick we would be a useful team. Maybe, just maybe, Taylor showed Mick he is ready for some more game time. He does offer more threat!
Gerken - at fault for both goals. Better than Loach - it's close!
Chambers - one error, lost Shotton for the goal. Otherwise solid
Creswell - reasonable but not his best game
Smith - decent perfrormance. Want to see more from Tommy from corners.
Berra - looking like a great signing
Anderson - better today. Offering an outlet and starting to deliver
Hyam - all work from Luke. Never going to grab the headlines but does the simple, dirty work
Skuse - better on the ball than Luke but similarly never going to set the world alight.
Tunnicliffe - growing in stature. Significant that he moved into the centre when Hyam came off?
Murphy - frustrates the hell out of me. Why does he not challenge for the ball every single time. He can be a real threat, a physical handful but all too often he chooses not to be. Does Daryl have the heart to put his body on the line?
McGoldrick - oozes quality. Crying out for a real partner who poses a genuine goal threat with him
Taylor - showed enough today for me to be given consideration for a possible start very soon
Nouble - can't fault Frank for effort.
Wordsworth - one half chance header late on

Should have had three points, would have taken one, ended up with none. Frustrating!

3

A pretty decent effort all round despite the scoreline. Was very impressed with Tunnicliffe and the defence was solid for most of the match. Berra is a class act. I'm not convinced by Anderson, he was outpaced a few too many times for a out and out winger. Nouble was bambi on ice when he came on, but I agree he puts in a shift. Taylor was tricksy, but he looked like he was puffing within minutes of coming on - naturally this raises the question is he fully fit yet? But the only way he will is by getting 1st team minutes.

No need to panic Mr Mainwaring. We played well and we were very unlucky.

1

not gonna moan about the performance, yes result is a disapointment,but overall i think we are much better team now than a year ago, still need another real striker,to supplement Mc Goldrick ,whilst i quite like Murphy,he lacks something in front of goal.Can Frank Nouble do the job ? when he first came to the club i was hopeful,but i have reservations now,.Big Mick will be aware of any weaknesses and im sure he will sort things ,have faith, take a look at our position and goal diff ,compare to last season and take heart .Another day with as much effort will bring its rewards, We lost this match ,move on. COYB

0

Was my first away game, and as previous have mentioned, was cheap as chips. Bargain get up on the train, and a treat to get in for just £10.

The game itself was, in a word, very Ipswich Town. Good amount of industry, some bright sparks but ultimately we were facing a team which could see a game off, where we couldn't.

First half, Town were unlucky to go in behind. Apart from the goal, and a few half chances created by a very tricky McManaman, Ipswich did well to quell a Wigan team which on paper looked better. Anderson was the player of the half for me, with Berra also impressing me. Chambers vs Beausejour could have resulted in more than a yellow, but the ref was unsighted. Cresswell put in a good shift as per, and Skuse looked assured on the ball. For me, Hyam and Murphy were a bit suspect - the former did well, but may be suffering from a lack of confidence due to recent pressure.

I would have bought on Tabb or Taylor at half-time or just after for Hyam, giving Tunni the space to move inside, allowing him to get forward down the middle. When Taylor came on he was a bright spark, and I can see the poor man's Ribery comparison. Murphy had a few wayward touches, and though I do like him, it just wasn't his game. Nouble looked strong when he came on, and Wordsworth didn't really get a chance to make a big impact, but his movement seemed intelligent.

Barnett for them was a solid centre back, and bringing Boyce on to try and put a lid on Taylor's bright start after coming on spelled it out. Carson was on form, pulling off a few awesome saves, particularly when the ball was in the mixer and Wigan were defending for their lives.

All in all, it wasn't a game that should have been 2-0.. but it also wasn't a game where Ipswich deserved to win (though a case could be argued)
For the next game, I'd start Skuse and Tunnicliffe in the middle, with Anderson and maybe Tabb or Taylor on the wing. Taylor could fill the hole behind Didzy, but he could also play up top. Either way, I think Murph and Hyam, as well as Gerken, should be rested for the game at B&HA. Gerken just didn't impress me and I was always nervous when he got on the ball.

Promoted teams out of the way, and there's definitely improvement from the last game I saw a year or so ago. The only way is up, and in Mick & TC we trust! COYB, good performance and even a few Wigan fans in the pub after said we were unlucky to lose.

1