THE BIG MATCH PREVIEW WIGAN

By Jon Harries

Well, I think a walk along Blackpool Promenade would have been more exciting than that 94 minutes, even in the pouring rain without a coat and an umbrella, its simply not good enough and I can’t see us winning anytime soon given that performance. No service into any of the strikers, and they’d have probably been served better at Marco Pierre White, and they would have saved on travelling.

Once we went behind there was no urgency desire or commitment to get it forward. Sulley Kaikai with the only goal of the game with one of their two shots on target. In a game of no quality Blackpool ultimately won but in truth it really was awful viewing…… enough said.

Another day another game, with renewed hope and blind faith, this time it’s Wigan Athletic, a team that shouldn’t be in this League, in fact if it wasn’t for the incompetent owners, they’d still be in the Championship.

Pre and post lockdown Wigan were one of the form teams in England, and with the points deduction hanging over them they gave it everything but just fell short. Unfortunately, the majority of their squad had to be sold to keep the club afloat, Jamal Lowe, Michael Jacobs, Kieffer Moore all gone whilst Wigan sorted out their ownership issues.

Their League One campaign has so far seen them lose their first two to Ipswich and Gillingham before a surprise win at Portsmouth, then backed that up by beating Doncaster. Three successive defeats followed before a respectable point at home to Plymouth with recent acquisition Will Keane scoring the equaliser. Wigan are currently sitting 18th, and I think the club will be happy with that given the turmoil since lockdown.

As previously mentioned, their squad has been severely affected by off field issues. Administrator appointed Manager John Sheridan has had to add to the squad whilst playing competitive games, and incomings include keeper Jamie Jones who is playing well despite Wigan’s lowly position, utility man Kal Naismith can play a variety of positions from CB to CM and everything in between. Will Keane is a potent striker and Matty Palmer when fit is a box to box midfielder.

The player in focus is Joe Garner, a “Fox in the Box” type with an eye for a spectacular goal and his intelligence and movement makes up for his lack of pace. He scored a famous goal for Preston in a playoff semi-final once so definitely one to watch as he can bring others into play making him certainly everything that Wigan desire at the moment. He will only need one chance making us the perfect team to face right now.

Predicted Line Up

Fisher

Poole – Williams – Keogh – Lewington – Harvie

Houghton – Sorensen – Fraser

Jerome – Walker

Predictably Kasumu is suspended so a minimum one enforced change. We’re playing at home so need to assert our authority. I feel Sorensen (if he reappears) can carry the ball and take the focus off Fraser who has been a marked man recently. Having strength and pace up top against an ageing Wigan Centre Back pairing could be vital.

Team News News about injuries is scant lately, in fact you have more chance of hearing of a gold strike in Leighton Buzzard at the moment. Some guy out walking his dog at Woughton tells us Agard is still running around, but not a clue on Sorenson or Cargill, unfortunately his high-powered binoculars were not that high powered.

**Missing in Action, last seen at SMK, Lasse Sorenson.**

I predict a 1-0 home win, if we can get an early goal, then who knows, but let’s be honest, teams know how we play so patience is key, I take Walker to score the goal.

COYD’s

Editor – Thanks to Jon for his preview, sadly I don’t share his optimism, so I’m going for a 1-1 score line with Fraser scoring.