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QPR 3 Wigan Athletic 1
Queens Park Rangers' Tommy Smith scores his side's third goal against Wigan
LATICS crashed to another damaging defeat to a relegation rival as a painfully average QPR side inflicted some real capital punishment.
Aside from a bright opening 10 minutes, when Latics could and perhaps should have taken the lead and the initiative, the visitors were second best across the park and got exactly what they deserved.
Trailing 2-0 at the break thanks to a Heidar Helguson penalty - awarded for an inexplicable handball from James McCarthy - and a blinding free-kick from Akos Buzsaky, Latics briefy threatened a comeback when Hugo Rodallega steered home a glorious free-kick with a quarter of the game still to go.
But hopes of an unlikely point were quickly extinguished when Tommy Smith lashed home a belter from 30 yards.
And without more heroics from Ali Al Habsi - who made a string of fine saves including a second penalty from Helguson - the scoreline coould have been even more emphatic.
With 16 games to go, Latics are now four points from safety, with the worst goal difference in the top flight, and a nice trip to Tottenham to look forward to tomorrow week.
Roberto Martinez had made three changes for the trip, bringing in Ben Watson, Steve Gohouri and Emmerson Boyce for a first start in over two months, with Ronnie Stam and Albert Crusat dropping to the bench and Antolin Alcaraz ruled out by injury.
The big team news as far as Rangers were concerned was the return of Joey Barton after suspension for Mark Hughes’ first home Premier League match in charge, with Federico Macheda - reportedly a recent Latics loan target - on the bench.
Despite all the pre-match talk being centred on Rangers, it was Latics off to a flyer - and the visitors should have been ahead within three minutes.
Victor Moses was fouled down the left, and Jordi Gomez swung in a delightful free-kick with his left foot that found Gohouri unmarked 10 yards from goal.
The Ivorian elected to volley towards goal when he probably had time to control it such was the space around him, but the ball veered agonisingly wide of the far post with Paddy Kenny beaten.
Moses was causing more problems for Luke Young in Wigan’s next attack, skinning the right-back on the outside and getting to the byline, and his cross was only inches in front of the onrushing Rodallega.
Al Habsi was called into the action for the first time on 13 minutes when Young sliced a cross so badly it almost looped into the far corner of the net, the goalkeeper backtracking and tipping it over the bar for a corner.
Poor play by Gohouri presented Rangers with a shooting chance on the edge of the area, although DJ Campbell pulled his effort well wide of the target.
Buzsaky did better with Rangers’ next opportunity, although his snap-shot still cleared the bar as Al Habsi watched it go over.
It was clearly a sighter for Buzsaky, who then fired in a super swerving effort from distance that Al Habsi only just managed to help round the post.
The respite was only temporary, however, as Barton’s corner was handled as it zipped towards the penalty spot by McCarthy, referee Jon Moss having no option but to point to the spot and caution the midfielder.
Al Habsi had already saved three spot-kicks so far this term, and he nearly made it four - guessing correctly and almost getting his left hand to Helguson’s assured spot kick.
The goal was a real blow to Latics, who had started so positively but had found themselves increasingly on the back foot as the half progressed.
Al Habsi was called on to turn a free-kick from Young round the post as Rangers pushed for a second, before Latics mounted a rare attack of their own as half-time approached.
Rodallega looked like he was in behind the Rangers backline after a long ball from Boyce, but the Colombian clearly used his hand to control the ball which was spotted by the linesman.
It was just as well for Anton Ferdinand that the referee’s whistle had gone, as the centre-back then brought Rodallega down as he shaped to shoot which would surely have brought about a penalty and a red card.
And Rangers made the most of their let-off by doubling their advantage just before the break.
Gohouri was once again the culprit, conceding a needless free-kick 25 yards from goal as Campbell found himself outnumbered deep in Wigan territory before drawing the foul.
And Buzsaky made him pay the harshest penalty by curling a superb free-kick past Al Habsi and into the net via the far post.
In fairness, the second goal was no more than Rangers warranted for their dominance, and no more than Latics deserved for the way they had allowed their opponents to take control without too much of a fight.
Martinez tried to shake things up at the interval, sending on Conor Sammon for McArthur - who was a long way from being the worst Latics player, but who paid the penalty for a more attacking approach.
And the Dubliner was quickly into the game, putting himself about in typical fashion and not allowing the Rangers backline any time on the ball.
It was almost game over shortly after the restart when Buzsaky allowed the ball to bounce 25 yards from goal before hitting a dipping volley that was arrowing towards the top corner, before Al Habsi’s left hand intervened at the expense of a corner.
A couple of half-chances then fell to Gomez as Wigan tried to get themselves back into the game, but the first attempt was woefully off target and the second barely made it through to goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.
That was it for the Spaniard, compatriot Albert Crusat replacing him on the hour mark as Martinez opted for more pace.
And Latics gave themselves a real shot in the arm with 25 minutes left via a huge lifeline from Rodallega.
Maynor Figueroa was fouled by Barton in centre-field as he tried unsuccessfully to play in Watson down the Wigan right.
And Wigan’s all-time Premier League goalscorer curled a majestic set-piece over the wall and inside the left-hand post to the delight of the away end behind Kenny’s goal.
It was only Rodallega’s second goal of a frustrating campaign, and he made a point of repeatedly pointed to the badge on his shirt in the direction of the away end to seemingly underline his commitment to the cause.
Martinez went for broke by immediately making his third change, sending on Stam for Boyce to add more of an attacking threat down the right-hand side.
But Latics nearly shot themselves in the foot by conceding a second penalty of the game within seconds.
A collision on the edge of the Wigan box between Gary Caldwell and Helguson seemed innocuous enough, but the official clearly thought the defender was responsible for the pair ending up on the deck and pointed straight to the spot - much to the Scot’s amazement.
Again Helguson placed the ball on the spot, but this time Al Habsi outwitted him by guessing that he’d go for the other side and pulling off a fine save with his right hand.
Latics sensed that this could yet be their day, and Sammon soon found himself clean through down the right channel with Rodallega and Moses busting a gut to get into the box to support him.
Unfortunately, the striker chose to shoot at goal from a difficult angle, and pulled it well wide of the far post.
Helguson almost made amends for his penalty miss with a blinding goal to kill off Wigan, only for his left-foot volley to fly inches beyond the far post.
But the home side did find their third goal with 10 minutes remaining when substitute Smith was given far too much time and space 30 yards from goal, and he responded by smashing an unstoppable right-foot shot past Al Habsi into the top corner.
Latics: Al Habsi 9; Boyce 6, Caldwell 5, Gohouri 5, Figueroa 6; McCarthy 5, Watson 5, McArthur 6; Gomez 5, Moses 7; Rodallega 7.
Subs: Pollitt, Lopez, Stam (for Boyce, 69) 6, Crusat (for Gomez, 61) 6, McManaman, Di Santo, Sammon (for McArthur, 46) 6.
QPR: Kenny; Young, Hall, Ferdinand, Hill; Mackie, Barton, Buzsaky, Wright-Phillips; Campbell, Helguson.
Subs: Cerny, Orr, Derry (for Buzsaky, 83), Ramage, Smith (for Campbell, 46), Macheda, Bothroyd.
Star Man: Ali Al Habsi: Kept Latics in it with a string of super stops, badly let down by those in front of him.
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Comments
There are 62 comments to this article
Page 1 of 5
Scarecrow
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:01 AMWAFC
WAFC1
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 06:33 PMjamesjoseph you'll find I post what contributes to the discussion rather than the often outright trolling we see. You should know Latics have the record attendance at the DW, have sold out numerous times against different opposition, and attracted well over a dozen 20k plus attendances. The last time we were in the Championship we averaged 11.5k, that was seven years back since when the club has grown further. That is higher than all but one Warriors season from 1995 to 2003, while the last time they were in the second tier they stuggled to attract half that, perhaps that puts some context to your use of the word plummet. By all means take a superior attitude and talk down Latics and it's fans if it makes you feel better, it's 2012 not 1992, both clubs and the town have changed beyond recognotion.
Scarecrow
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 03:36 PMNow if I had said that.....
jamesjoseph
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 12:59 PMDon't get so upset WafC.Can't you take a little friendly advice which is a lot better than the postings you usually put on about the rugby team.Actually the rugby team averaged just over 16.000 the last season but one and i haven't seen last years figures although i suspect they may be slightly down.The rugby have managed to fill the ground a few times which is more than the football team can manage,anyhow we won't be having these discussions next season when your attendances plummet and you go back to previous years crowds.
concernedlocal
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 12:51 PMi did go on saturday as i have to quite a few away games this year, at everton and newcastle for instance we looked capable of winning but couldnt defend the last 20 mins, at qpr we were as bad as i have seen no heart no fight no leadership, we were undone by a penalty a grt freekick and a grt goal, other than that qpr were rubbish, yet we still lagged behind them in the will to win stakes, we have a leaky defence we have far too many midfielders and strikers who dont play,have no match momentum until they are thrown on in the last 10 mins of a game. Tatically Bob is proving to be totally inept this yr, forget crowding the midfield, get 2 up front, get the wingers playing with some freedom to attack and get the crosses in, get the defenders to defend as a 4 man unit. for gods sake give us a chance.....................
Scarecrow
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 09:13 AMAnother one who can't face reality! And for the record, I left the WW site because of the 'nice' people like yourself.
trevwafc
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 08:56 AMWAFC Scarecrowducky the bowton fan spat his dummy out on WW sports site and left now he stalks the tics even more on here the sado
Scarecrow
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 07:21 PMWAFC Reality beckons in your case!
WAFC1
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 06:04 PM'WAFC But the supporters of Wigan Warriors are first and foremost Wigan supporters, not supporters of other club's just watching the Latic's because it is cheap compared with the first choice club!'................Change the record, your a Bolton and Warriors fans who dislikes Latics with a passion, posting every cliche and put down known to man even when you know they aren't correct. I can't for the life of me think why Latics detractors continue to post the same nonsense, do they think the world begins and ends with Wigan Today, Wigan World and a handful of closed forums, do they really think if they win the argument on their the worlds opinions on Wigna will change?
WAFC1
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:56 PM'We', I'm suprised you use the term, if you were coming to enjoy live football you'd know Championship games are far more enjoyable than the Prem. Fans don't support a division they support a club, fans who switch clubs at will aren't supporters, that applies to all clubs from Latics to Utd to Rochdale.
Scarecrow
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:51 PMWAFC But the supporters of Wigan Warriors are first and foremost Wigan supporters, not supporters of other club's just watching the Latic's because it is cheap compared with the first choice club!
Tom1
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:46 PMI really hope we do stay up but if the worst happens, ill be off no danger. If youve got some blind loyalty to a championship club, more fool you. BTW I can only think of apart from Fulham and QPR games were the North stand was either full or very nearly full.
WAFC1
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:38 PM'I was under the impression that a true supporter of a club stays loyal through thick and thin whereas a lot of so called latics fans are threatening to go back to supporting the original clubs they deserted .'......................What you are seeing are the very same people who take the p out of Latics posting cliched rubbish as disgruntled PoolUtd fans, allowing the likes of yourself to come on and say something along the lines of, 'deary me, I was right when I said Latics didn't have any fans, pitty they aren't as numerous or loyal as us rugby fans,' give me a break it's as transparent as can be.
WAFC1
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:32 PM'jamesjoseph Correct, and I was one of them that went to every away game that season. That's why we are now number 18 in the squad.'..................Strange isn't it how Latics, a team who entered the football league in 1978, surrounded by the biggest clubs in the country, and who have spent a fraction of their history in the top flight are pilloried for our 18k plus attendances, yet an RL team which has achieved unprecendented success, in a claimed rugby town therefore negating the minority sport excuse, are proclaimed the greatest fans in the world when 12k-14k turn up to see them put 40 points on another team. Weird how perceptions and media reporting bear no relations to reality.
WAFC1
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:21 PMYou claim yourself and a bunch of friends wholesale switched overnight from Utd to Latics when 99.9% of fans not only stuck with their club, they took great pleasure in Latics losing. Then you come on gloating at our struggles when even the most hard nosed glory hunter, after 7 years, would feel some sympathy and loyallty to their 'second' club. I'm sorry but no football fan worthy of the name would come on a site and tell the world how they switch too and from clubs at will. BTW, if you'd been a regular at Latics you'd well know most club far from fill the North Stand, and those that do are now limited to 4300 rather than the 5,000 plus capacity.
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