Wells looked sharp and Hemed a real handful but with an end product unlike Smith. Luongo & Freeman look shot of confidence....complete inability to retain possession. Eze looked the most comfortable on the ball but was a bit isolated out wide - need to find a way to get him involved more centrally as I think he and Wells could be a dangerous combo in final third.....Scowen having to cover too much ground with Luongo & Freeman so out of touch...Lumley looked ok except kicking but it was way better than Ingram.....defense was panic stations at times but we held on....had a real last 3 games of the season type feel Best player on the pitch by a long way was Powell - would love to have him in our team. Wigan neat and tidy but we kept Grigg quiet
Nope. Credit where it's due. He picked the right players in the right positions. Something Ollie failed to do over and over again.
Just read Super Mac’s post match comments on the BBC site. Not impressed, stuff about building a team around two late loan signings, and that the ‘supporters should acknowledge the quality’ of these blokes. I’m not up for being told what to think by Hair Island or anyone else. I hope these lads are quality and help us but the fact that they are with us shows the absence of a plan, and failure to even try to get the best out of what we have. Judging by the brief highlights we were lucky not to concede. Long may that last!
Maybe but it will take some forgiving to start a campaign like that I watched the game today and there is a nervous edge to the player apart from Eze I always believe that comes from the manager whoever it is It was like they were struggling to understand the tactics which looks the same Movement was better without doubt Wigan stronger team today imo but it’s 3 points so celebrations are all that matters Mass looked down to me but early days
I would expect the nervous edge to come from losing four matches on the bounce, one of them humiliating to all the players; improvement and points will rebuild confidence across the team. Disappointing is to hear that Luongo and Freeman are performing poorly - it has been talked about that these players need to show their mettle ... it seems they aren’t- that’s worrying!
I thought Luongo got better 2nd half nearer to his normal level. Front two could be good though Rangel solid as well in his 2 games Well done McClaren Picked the right team and the right subs Wigan looked a decent team first half and we won
Tuesday was chalk, this was cheese. Not in terms of the quality of football played, but in terms of attitude and application. A basic 4-4-2 with the two newbies up top and Freeman and Eze in nominally wide positions - but we played with no width, deliberately so. They were not going to play through us, and they didn't. The loan signings were both a step up on what we have had previously, with Wells in particular absolute class. Lumley looker far more assured in goal than Ingram had, though I do sympathise with Ingram, who had been asked to play a game that he was plainly not suited to and consequently lost confidence. The biggest plus, though, was in attitude shown. Whether it was instilled by the Manager, or whether is was just professional pride from the players themselves, I'm not sure, but the will to win shown by all 14 was an absolute tonic. We'll be OK.
Great result and it might even be better for confidence that it was a tough won game rather than a dominant performance. I remain far from convinced about McClaren but, for the moment, there is a joyous amnesty on that front.
I didn't see it so I'll take your word for it. So was Eze on the right wing, Freeman on the left and Scowan and Luongo in the centre?
Thanks for believing me. Eze was left first half, with Freeman on the right, but they switched second half. We played very narrow though, so neither was particularly wide. Eze is wasted in that role though, and is a liability defensively.
I thought the same when I read his post match comments, it's disingenuous to suggest that he was planning the whole team and season around two last minute loan signings Nonetheless, a win is a win and he could easily have cocked it up with a Hollowayesque tombola formation, so that said let's enjoy this small light in the darkness and hope we can build upon it. Wigan are no mugs Good result Another martini i think...
Interesting, because I thought Eze did a fairly good attempt at a defensive job against Bristol, whereas I thought Freeman was a non-event when playing to support the defence in the same game. It’s a tough task, but both should be capable of doing it at their age and fitness.
I don't think Eze should be given defensive responsibilities. The problem then is where do you play him? Number 10 in a 4-4-1-1 for me.
Others seem to have seen it as 4-3-3. Could it have been a bit of both as there was no width? Freeman and Luongo ahead of Scowan and Eze and Wells either side of Hemed?
No, it doesn't. I was surprised he played both newbies (it smacked of desperation, I thought), but it paid off of course. Hemed did well enough, and got a good goal, but Wells looked different class. I would like to see Eze playing in the hole off Wells. Every side in this league has giant centre-backs, we should keep it on the grass.