'Decision-making cost us', admits Wigan Athletic chief

Leam Richardson was left to bemoan poor 'decision making' at both ends of the field after Wigan Athletic's 1-0 defeat at fellow League One strugglers Swindon.

Latics could have climbed four places to sixth-bottom with an away win, such is the tight situation at the bottom of the table.

But instead it was Swindon - managed by ex-Latics chief John Sheridan - who moved out of the drop zone after edging a desperately dire encounter played in difficult conditions.

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The only goal arrived on 16 minutes, when Latics failed to prevent Matty Palmer - who spent the first part of the campaign on loan at the DW - from crossing towards the unmarked Tyler Smith.

Jamie Jones might have done better than clawing the ball into the path of Brett Pitman, who forced the ball home from close range.

Despite Swindon having the play the final quarter with 10 men - after captain Dion Conrow was sent off for pulling down Will Keane - Latics didn't force home goalkeeper Mark Travers into a single save worthy of the name.

"It was a tough night for us, tough conditions, and I thought it took us 20 minutes to get going really," mused Richardson.

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"We were unable to impose any kind of style on the game up to that point, and of course by then we've conceded a very poor goal, given the standard and experience we have in the centre of the defence.

"From then on in, we huffed and puffed, but it was one of those games where you have to see the basics and the fundamentals through, and hope your kind of style wins out on the night.

"The lads will certainly be reflecting tonight on some of the decision-making out there, and it's up to us as a group to come together and be better across the board."

Despite lacking quality in key areas, Richardson was again keen to stress his players had left everything out there on the pitch.

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"It's up to us as a group to be mindful of possession over penetration, and try to build them both together that allow you to win football matches," he said.

"We had a lot of possession, but did we really hurt them? Not enough in my opinion.

"We know we can be better in certain areas, but the lads are dead honest.

"They applied themselves well, and it's not for the want of trying - not by a long stretch."

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Richardson also acknowledged the nature of the winning goal - with replays appearing to show Pitman netted from an offside position - was indicative of the way things are going.

"Yeah, I have been told the winning goal was offside," he added. "And you are hoping as far as the officials go that they get these kinds of decisions correct.

"Sadly, when you're on the wrong end of them, you feel hard done by.

"Hopefully at some point we'll get a roll of the dice and something will fall our way."