Wigan Athletic: The 12th Man

Caddy from the 5:

“Paul Cook’s Blue and White Army” was being sung all the way to work this morning all over Wigan as next season’s runaway Championship winners produced their best performance of the season at Reading. I was up for work as the hordes of Wigan fans who made the trip to the ‘Mad Stad’ (copyright the disgusting mess off the radio) were getting back into town (around 2am), but I see the usual crowd nonces were out in force about our following. It’s tiresome, boring and really doesn’t bother us lads, we thrive on it. The usual social media accounts were full of derision for the fans who made the trip, how about a ‘well done’ to every one of ‘em for going on an eight-hour round trip on a winter’s night in Feb. Oh sorry, it’s Wigan, easier to just have a pop at the fans who spend their hard-earned cash following their team. As a side note to this, no-one mentioned it was Reading’s lowest home crowd for two years, barely 10,000 were on in the sparsely filled ground. But, no, only Wigan get the dog’s abuse. Oh well, thanks for the three points anyway, I’m sure we’re all happy with that. Back to the week’s performances anyway, and the Millwall game would defo have been last on MOTD shall we say. But it’s all about the points from here on in if we want to stay in this division, and I firmly believe we will, so performances come second to points. For me, we’re a miles better side when Anthony Pilkington is in it, he seems to calm the whole team down, along with Leon Balogun, who’s been magnificent since his arrival.

When I saw the team sheet for the Reading game and Pilkington was missing, I did think it was a mistake. But hearing why Paul Cook is resting him does make sense...maybe Paul does know more than all us fans after all? The Tics were absolutely brilliant against Reading. I’m sure everyone, like me, was still sweating til we got the second goal to kill them off, after all we are Wigan, we don’t do anything easily! But once Jamal Lowe’s goal went it really was plain sailing, sealed off with Michael Jacobs’ injury-time goal to make the score about right. We deserved to give someone a good hiding after some very good performances over the season for no reward. Kieffer Moore is now looking like the player we bought in the summer, his work-rate is superb and he’s finally getting the rewards with his goals. His latest goal was cheeky to say the least, but it comes with confidence that seems to be oozing through the team. Yes, I know we’re still in the relegation zone but, with Reading, Hull, Middlesbrough, Charlton, Stoke and Huddersfield all stuttering, we’ll never have a better chance of staying up. Along with the rejuvenated Sam Morsy, Lowe had a great game as well...could we finally be seeing what we all saw on the video clips of him from Portsmouth? I hope so. You can see the whole team are playing with confidence now. We basically play everyone around us between now and May. It’s going to be a great few weeks for us, hopefully, and we’ll be safe come the Joseph’s Goal walk to Barnsley (see all the links on Twitter/Facey to sponsor all the lads and girls who are doing it again this year...PLUG...PLUG...). The only down from Reading was Big Chey’s injury. I saw Morsy on Twitter saying: ‘We’ll do it for you’ to Dunkley, and I echo his words. Get well soon Big Man, all the Tics family is behind you. Right, I’m off for a ‘Bow, good luck to the Tics ‘yoof’ tonight against Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup. Get yourself down there to support them before the league leaders West Brom become our next scalp on Saturday.

Sean Livesey:

Has a corner been turned? There have been positive signs of life for Wigan Athletic since the Christmas period, though results didn’t necessarily follow. In the 15 matches since that defeat to Luton at the start of December, Latics have only lost four times. More importantly, since the defeat to Preston at the start of February, Latics have taken eight points from 12 available, with two wins in two including that masterful win over Reading on Wednesday. I, and many others, have been made to look quite foolish by questioning whether Paul Cook would and should remain in place. At the moment, he is definitely repaying the faith placed in him by Darren Royle and Jonathan Jackson, Wednesday night was like the Latics of old. The Latics of swashbuckling wins in League One, the Latics of positive passing and attacking intent, and the Latics that are always upsetting the odds. From minute one, they had the bit between their teeth. Kieffer Moore, who has looked so impressive since his return to the side in January, once again popped up with the goods and what a goal it was. Nathan Byrne, an unsung hero from the upturn in form recently was provider, and it shows the kind of confidence flowing through the side at the moment. Whereas in the past Latics would have sat off Reading, determined to protect that one-goal lead, this time Cook’s side had different ideas. Even going in at half-time with just a one goal lead, you sensed there was more to come. Lowe, who has struggled throughout the season, had his best game in a Latics shirt, the confidence that had been lacking was nowhere to be seen, and he capped it off with an amazing goal early in the second half. With more to come from both Lowe and Moore, we may finally get to see what we expected last summer. David Marshall, another signing who has had a difficult time, made a crucial triple save, and at that point it really felt like it would be Latics’ night.

That was until poor Chey Dunkley clashed with Cedric Kipre. The players were visibly distressed as their stricken team-mate was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and straight in to a waiting ambulance. It was to their eternal credit they managed to get a third as the game re-started, Michael Jacobs rolling back the years and scored one of those fabulous goals where you see him cut inside, and in turn cut through, a defence. So three goals, three points, and another big boost in Latics’ fight against the drop. Losing Dunkley will be a blow but, if Latics can harness the spirit they managed after the big man left the pitch, and use it to influence them in the remaining weeks of the season, we can definitely climb out of that relegation zone. There’s so much to be pleased with in recent weeks, but we’re not out of this yet. We need to pick up more wins, and in games much more difficult than Wednesday. That starts with a trip to the Midlands to face league leaders West Brom on Saturday. It won’t be easy, but we know this Latics side definitely has the ability. After a torrid first half of the season, can Latics and indeed Cook finally show us what they’re made of?

Craig Wigan:

What a week – six points, four goals and two clean sheets. We’ve been clinical up front and solid/fortunate at the back, a huge turnaround from the first half of the season. We always said it was the fine margins, but is the swing in our favour due to anything we’re doing better, or just a bit of luck? Well I think it’s a bit of both and, where a fortunate penalty decision against Millwall could’ve changed the outcome of that game, the form of Kieffer Moore’s right heel is something that cannot be questioned as anything other than pure quality. As a Latics fan, based in Reading and used to traipsing miles each week to watch us suffer more often than not, Wednesday night on my doorstep just made all those trips worthwhile. Especially after the heartbreak of last season’s Madejski visit, where I felt we were doomed for League One again. Now, although optimism and positivity rings in the air, we have to ensure this isn’t a peak in our season, and instead a constant benchmark for the rest of the season.

With big six-pointers on the horizon against Stoke, Huddersfield and Charlton, negative results in those games especially could quickly turn the season back on its head. We’re in a position now where it’s in our own hands, so we need to go and win these games. Yet historically our tactics have been to ‘not lose’ against those around us, and I fear that message is what landed us in this trouble in the first place, so I do hope we’ve learnt our lesson and go all guns blazing. Let’s spare a moment for big Chey as well. On the same pitch that saw Shaun MacDonald suffer a similar fate, from which he’s never really returned, we all hope and pray Chey can return strong, as he’s a great lad and someone who’s stepped up whenever asked at every level. Aside from his goalscoring record this year, he’s been unlucky with losing his place post-suspensions, where those coming in have been exceptional, so this is the last thing he deserves. But the squad will rally around him, and the best thing they can do for him now is ensure that, when he does return, he’s back playing Championship football for another season.

Andy Carey:

Six points, two clean sheets and four goals...just a standard week at the Latics! It’s been a while since I’ve been looking forward to the next fixture, and at times this season I couldn’t even tell you who we were playing next, as it was all becoming too depressing. However, I’m enjoyed the Wigan Athletic of 2020! I can’t ever recall Millwall at home being a fixture to get too excited about, and this wasn’t much different. Okay, maybe it wasn’t the greatest performance (or the worst), but it was a game we had to win – and that we did. Based on the win-at-home-and-draw-away formula, part one was complete. And we went to Reading with some hope, as they’re useless at home and we’re getting better away from the DW. Along with Millwall, I don’t see Reading as being any better than us, and we showed that on the pitch. Kieffer Moore has turned into Ronaldo with his finishing, and long may it continue! A dominant performance all round, slightly soured by Chey Dunkley’s injury. Speedy recovery, Dunks.

Much of this season, we’ve thrown points away either through individual errors or a collective belief we won’t see games out. That appears to have gone. There’s no coincidence the last few results have seen Leon Balogun in the side. He reminds me of Antolin Alcaraz, given his composure on the ball and reading of the game. And the whole of the defence has improved as a result. David Marshall can trust his defence, Cedric Kipre is getting better and better, and Nathan Byrne is winning the ball and creating things. In turn, the more attack-minded players have been able to do just that. I’ve been a critic of Jamal Lowe, but he made the winner against Millwall and took his goal well at Reading. Moore is showing his class with better support around him, and he’ll continue to get goals and upset defences. A tough trip to West Brom awaits, however I’d rather play them now while there’s some momentum and we’re not on a 13-game winless run. Get this one out of the way, and March is exciting with three fellow relegation contenders and a local derby – anyone for 12 points? Finally, good luck to the Under-18s on Friday night at Old Trafford. It’s free so, if you can get there do it, it could be a while until we field a side at Old Trafford with a chance of winning!

Jonjo Gallagher:

Firstly, my thoughts go out to Chey Dunkley after his injury, I just hope for a speedy recovery my thoughts and prayers are with you. Onto the Reading game itself, I would say it was the best away performance in the Championship by a Paul Cook side. We dominated from the first minute, controlled the ball and seemed to find space between the lines into midfield. Cedric Kipre and Leon Balogun look to building a real partnership at centre-half, which seems to be bringing the best out of the former. Balogun is exactly what we have needed all season, he looks calm, composed and always seems in control. Big mention to Jamal Lowe on his best performance in a Tics shirt, he looked a real handful. A 0-3 away win in this league is never easy, so great credit must go to the manager. I have been a big advocate of Cook, but admit I had a bit of a wobble over the dark November and December months, where it looked like we were sleepwalking back to League One without a fight. But since the turn of the year, we have been playing very well and picking up the points our performances have deserved. I read Cook doesn’t feel we have changed anything recently, but I think that’s a bit of him not willing to admit he was wrong to start the season as a long ball side. I remember seeing a graphic at the Swansea game showing us ranked 23rd for short passes and up the top for long balls. Recently this has changed, and we look like a very good ‘footballing’ side, very comfortable on the ball, which we always look better playing in this style. Drawing level on points with Middlesbrough is a big physiological boost, as they and Hull are in freefall at the moment, and I think they will be starting to get very nervous. The way the bottom third of the division is shaping up, it could be any three from nine which, for us being down there so long, is good as some might not fancy the fight. Let’s hope so anyway. We seemed to have turned a massive corner at the moment, and long may it continue. I have a sneaky feeling we will get a point at the Hawthorns on Saturday. Up the Tics!

Martin Holden:

Three of the finest ‘on the road’ goals we have seen from the team for a very long time and a performance that we can, at last, be happy with. Obviously, the injury to Chey Dunkley took the gloss off the evening, but the results this week mean that virtually half the league can still be relegated! What has caused this change in fortune? Well, for me it is two things. The introduction of a classy central defender in Leon Balogun has settled the back four down. He has boosted Cedric Kipre’s confidence, and right now those two look really good together, and that spreads either side, to the full-backs who suddenly look solid again. Nathan Byrne has been outstanding in these last five games, and I have been one of his fiercest critics, so fair play to him, he deserves his place in that team. The second thing is using Sam Morsy a little further forward. What a difference he has on the team when he carries us forward, even offering goal threats with his shooting ability. In fact, the whole team seem eager to shoot more. Joe Williams and Lee Evans both had great long-range efforts saved at Reading – I don’t recall one such shot between the end of October and the end of January. Kieffer Moore has worked hard all year, and now seems to have hit his form in front of goal. That finish at Reading was sublime – wonderful stuff!

For the first time this season, I can write some good stuff about Jamal Lowe. He was brilliant at Reading, still infuriating at times - just track Kieffer Moore during the game and watch his reactions for proof of that – but there is something about him now. He created the goal against Millwall, and at Reading was a threat all game. Personally, I was delighted with the goal from Michael Jacobs, too. He, like Byrne, seems a different player in these last five matches, and it is good to see. It gives us hope for the Great Escape 2.0. Finally, I cannot end without mentioning the enigma of the goalkeeper. In two consecutive games he has come for balls and dropped them at the feet of the opposition strikers. We have been lucky not to concede, especially against Millwall, and yet in both games he has also pulled off great saves – the triple save against Reading being one of the finest goalkeeping moments I have seen for a good while. We are on a run of form now, and it feels like it did last year: Will we have enough to stay up? Can we keep our star players fit and in form? Will Cook confuse us all again and make eight changes and revert to seven at the back against Luton? Only time will tell, but we are in there and we are fighting!

David Perry:

What an emphatic win at Reading as the fightback continues apace! Let’s hope Chey Dunkley is okay and his recovery is swift. That’s 17 points from 10 games since the turn of the year, after only 1 win in 17 up to that point. What a turnaround! Promotion form if replicated across a full season. It’s given us all fresh hope. Our away-day hoodoo has been well and truly broken, Kieffer Moore is scoring goals, the defence looks more solid and the pressure on Paul Cook has eased, and the dissent is now a murmur. There is still a lot to do, but several ‘six-pointers’ are coming up, and it’s definitely game on for our survival chances. Other teams have had mini revivals at the same time as us, meaning we are still in the bottom three, but we have real momentum now. The players are playing better individually and collectively, and showing more resilience. They look like they are actually enjoying playing and seem up for the fight. Before Reading, we still huffed and puffed and were not testing the opposition keepers enough. But we are still much better than pre-Christmas. We still have a tendency to over-pass and certain players still seem to need to take four or five touches of the ball when two would suffice. That’s probably being a bit unkind really as the recent improvements outweigh any remaining flaws. Sections of the crowd still seem to need a player to single out for criticism. A couple of months ago it was Kal Naismith who, to his credit, kept going and has put in some good performances playing in previously unfamiliar roles. The recent target for the boo-boys seemed to be Jamal Lowe, who has struggled, but his contribution to our winning goal against Millwall seemed to go unnoticed by his critics. His goal at Reading can only boost his confidence further. A struggling player needs encouragement, not groans every time he gets the ball. A spell on the bench may have done him good, but Cook keeping faith with him looks to be paying dividends at long last. Leon Balogun looks to be one of those type of players that becomes an instant fans favourite as much for his personality as his performances, which have been outstanding so far.

Too early to tell yet, but the early signs from him are really positive. There are still a few clubs in the relegation fight, with no-one marooned at the very bottom, and I would say teams up to 16th place are not quite out of it. While I wouldn’t wish a points deduction on anyone, it is possible Sheffield Wednesday on 45 points could be in trouble, if a tally similar to Birmingham last year is chalked off. If they are dragged into the fray, it could very interesting indeed. If we maintain our points-per-game tally since the turn of the year, we will amass over 50 points and secure our Championship for another year – as good as promotion in a way. Certainly easier than be relegated and then having to fight to get promoted all over again, with no guarantees we would bounce back. I think we reached a stage earlier in the season when we were sleepwalking to the drop and running out of games. I think the management and players have woken up to that stark reality, and a new sense of purpose and determination is evident. The final push will still have a few twists and turns, but it is all set up for a tense run-in. We could do with more fans through the turnstiles, and maybe we could urge some of our absent friends to come back to lift the team. Finally, I hope Cook does not get any more touchline bans, as I don’t think my eardrums can take any more of his West Stand screams. No wonder he always sounds so hoarse in interviews! Good luck to the Latics youngsters at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup on Friday. Onwards and hopefully upwards. Up the Tics indeed!

John Bullough:

Wow, what a difference a week makes! Six points in the bag, we needed that badly, and it makes getting soaked to the skin against Millwall worth it. The performance against Reading was as good as we have seen all season, none of this negative talk about other teams’ results, let’s just forge ahead with our own game-plan and the rest can take care of itself. Can we go to West Brom and get a result? Why not...we where the better team at the DW in December. Also good luck to the youth team at Old Trafford on Friday night, and a speedy recovery for big Chey. Keep positive and Up the Tics.

Paul Middleton:

I’ve been calling for Paul Cook’s head for ages, based mainly on the fact we’ve been watching a terrible football team play terrible tactics and get terrible results. So, with an upturn in form that has brought us back to scraping distance of the teams outside the bottom three, it’s probably only right I praise him now. However, I’m going to add a huge “but” on the end of it. Two things, in my opinion, have added massively to our recent success. These are bringing in Leon Balogun and shipping out Josh Windass. Windass was all but stealing a living at Latics, and Cook’s insistence on having him as first-choice striker meant, more often than not, we played to suit a player who didn’t even really want to be at the club. With Kieffer Moore now firmly – and quite correctly – the first choice up front, we just look like a much better team. A pleasant surprise is Cook has finally realised just hoofing it up to Moore was pointless, literally and figuratively. If you need proof of how good he is with the ball at his feet, just watch the Reading highlights to see one of the best goals you’ll see anywhere this season. As for Balogun, it’s like we have a whole new defence. Mistakes are fewer, confidence is much higher, and Cedric Kipre has improved so much, it’s hard to equate him with the player he was before Christmas. Being a loanee, and that we have no money to either pay the fee or his wages come June, we should probably enjoy him whilst we can. He may well be the deciding factor in which league we play in next season.

And so back to the jolly tea-drinking Kirkbyite in charge. Some of his recent press conferences have made Eric Cantona’s little speeches look like legal statements. First it was the fans’ fault for not enjoying seeing us have the worst away record in the four divisions, or the lowest home scoring record, or anything else we’ve been best-at-being-worst-at in the last two years. Then it was saying a relegation fight is where we belong. So, credit for the good form we’re in at present? Yes, definitely. But is all forgiven? Not on your Nelly. If we stay up, and I’m more hopeful now than I’ve been in months, I can’t help but think next year will simply be this year all over again. Whatever Bill Murray went through in Groundhog Day will be nothing compared to how we’ll suffer next year if Cook is still at the DW. Except we’ll still be looking for our Rita.