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Bad day at the office for Wigan
Scott Parker lunges at Maynor Figueroa
THE transfer window slammed shut without any activity at Wigan Athletic - on a night when their survival hopes took a further setback.
Roberto Martinez’s men tumbled to a 3-1 defeat to high-flying Spurs at White Hart Lane, a defeat that leaves Latics rooted to the bottom of the Premier League ladder with 15 games remaining.
If that result may have been expected in most circles, the lack of transfer activity caught many by surprise.
Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega was being linked with several Premier League clubs throughout yesterday.
Instead, the striker – whose contract expires at the end of the season – will remain at Wigan and help them avoid the drop.
Martinez had publicly spoken of his intention to bolster his squad with two recruits. But moves for Fulham striker Andy Johnson and Watford defender Adrian Mariappa fell through, and the Spaniard refused to panic buy as the clock ticked down to the 11pm deadline.
His attention will now turn to Saturday’s home game against Everton after last night falling to their fourth straight Premier League defeat at the hands of Spurs.
Martinez handed a debut to Jean Beausejour, the Chilean international signed last week from Birmingham – their only signing during the January transfer window.
And though they showed early signs of promise, Gareth Bale put the home side ahead in the 29th minute. Luka Modric then turned provider to scorer five minutes later, sending Spurs 2-0 up at half-time.
Bale underlined his class by adding a second in the 64th minute before James McArthur pegged a goal back for Wigan.
Conor Sammon missed a golden opportunity in the dying minutes.
Rodallega was an unused substitute at White Hart Lane. Earlier in the day, he had been scheduled to join Fulham in a swap deal for Johnson, only for the latter to pull out of the deal.
Chairman Dave Whelan said: “I’ve no idea why Johnson said no. I think he didn’t fancy coming north. It would have been a good deal for us, but that’s football.”
Latics also surfaced as favourites to land Watford defender Mariappa. A bid was accepted and they received permission from the Hornets to talk to the 25-year-old, only for a possible move to break down.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was unhappy with a number of aspects of last night’s game. Firstly, he was far from content with his team’s performance in the first half.
“It was really disappointing,” the Spaniard said.
“First half we weren’t anywhere near as good as we could be. We allowed Spurs to really punish us. The performance wasn’t anywhere near good enough where we should be at this stage of the season.”
Martinez was also angry that the game took place just hours before the transfer window shut given that one of his players, Hugo Rodallega, has been the subject of intense speculation.
“I don’t think it was a good idea. It becomes a bit of a circus,” he said.
“One of my players was in the middle of that speculation and it’s not the right way to approach one of the most important games for this football club like this.
“An individual’s career should be second to that of the football club. It’s just ridiculous, it affects human beings.”
Martinez also lambasted referee Lee Probert for not sending off Benoit Assou-Ekotto for a late high challenge on Franco Di Santo.
“It was a red card,” the Wigan manager said.
“It was high. It’s another big decision and it seems it’s the normal thing - big decisions against us.
“I was shocked and surprised when Lee Probert didn’t show the red card because he was in a great position.
“We were very fortunate because Franco escaped the tackle with minor injury and I’ve seen broken legs from that.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
mona
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:31 PMHaving seen Chairman and Managers come and go since the 1950's there is a predictable course that they all take. This one has lasted longer than most and delivered more than any other. However it's course is now following the same pattern as the demise of them all.
Scarecrow
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 05:23 PMNot very nice for some Latic's supporters to be calling the man who got them into the premiership and then kept them in it for seven seasons.
sewage
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 09:54 AMThey missed the words "Yet another" off the title, question has anyone ever heard any of the players back and support the manager?
coccium
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 01:22 PMI read these comments every day from across the pond. I really can't say much as one would consider me as an outsider looking in. I had to laugh at DW's comments about Johnson not coming to Wigan.... who wants to join a fast sinking ship?.. let’s face it, we are a JOKE Being born and brought up around Wigan I still have a lot of pride in the place, but it is slowly being whittled away. I can't help but feel as though we have turned into the laughing stock of the PL.. We have the worst goal difference in the entire professional league and run by a bunch of clowns who have tied a big anchor to the feet of the Latics which will send them through the trap door and never return to the top flight. RM speaks a nice line, but it’s the same old tune. I think that if what has happened here, at another club over the past couple of years, would have resulted in the firing of the manager a long time ago. Unfortunately it is now too late. I see that some of our local teams, Bolton and Blackburn, are managing to pull their socks up and at least put up a fight and perhaps avoid the drop.. Can’t say the same for the Latics. Guess those two have been given enough rope to hang the club
Lyndon36
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 01:13 PMWho in their right mind can blame any player for refusing to entertain playing for WAFC. We are currently bottom of the prem, have only managed 1 win at home all season, have the worst goal difference in all leagues, we are owned by a man who has lot the plot as well as his marbles, we have a manager that is by far the worst manager in any level of professional football, we have no tactics to talk of, but on the plus side we can always take the positives out of the game!!! Come on Martinez, you have single handily manage to destroy this club, do the honourable thing and listen to the fans, you are out of your depth and have been since turning up at Wigan you have no alternative plans to speak of. Please, Please resign. Please understand YOU and DW are the reason no one wants to come to this club. Thank you both for destroying this club in such a short time you both truly are incompetent.
wigan55
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:48 AMPending Moderation
ahmancwiganer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:44 AMI am sick to the back teeth in seeing us play as a 2nd half only team. We never perform in the 1st half of any game and so we go behind in that period in every game, then we are chasing every game. For Whelan to wonder why Johnson refused to come to us shows how bad his memory is, as I can recall him turning us down and going to Everton instead, and the Watford player wouldn't come as he can see that he would almost certainly be returning to the Championship next season. The message is clear, nobody wants to join a sinking ship, and I am tired of every post-match talk by RM, they should just record one and repeat it for every future game as he doesn't change his words. No RM and DW should just go and leave us with whoever will replace them, they can't be any worse that the useless duo we have now. Looking ahead to Championship football in August.
mona
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:30 AMThe transfer market is indicative of the way other clubs and players view us. Nobody wants to come or sign new contracts and nobody thinks we've got anybody worth signing. If we spent more time and effort improving the one or two potentials we have rather than concocting spin about who's after the the rest, we would be far better off. On the positive side I hope he continues with the wing back. Although I do wonder if anybody,who matters, actually watches the players we do sign beforehand. That team would work better with Jones(for Gomez) and Diame(for Watson). Not playing Diame before the African cup cost us points. However i bet we don't see him play this weekend.
flyer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:37 AMRM on tv yesterday our fas will be happy tomorrow as we will be stronger than before,what a load of **** ,Not only will they go down they will lose millions by keeping hold of hugo,Dw must have money to burn
thepieshavegone
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:51 AMAndy Johnson didn't want to play for WIGAN? Why? - because they play like a bunch of clowns and are lead by the another clown. Poor old DW - nobody loves you any more! Sack RM today and gain some respect from the fans.
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