Wigan Athletic: The 12th Man - 'I would hope it is repeated again before the end of the season'

Alan Rogers:

What a difference a few days can make! After the game against Plymouth, that familiar feeling of disappointment had returned. It seemed the feel-good bubble had quickly burst. A poor result, coupled with mixed news about future ownership, had dragged us all back to the edge despair.

But fast forward a few days, and everything changed! A lovely, sunny day on Saturday, coupled with a bumper crowd, all helped to settle the nerves before the start of a very important game. Obviously, the Bradford fans were in full cry, but they were mostly matched by an exuberant ES2 - backed by a vociferous home crowd.

The latest scheme to 'bring a mate' was a resounding success, so much so I would hope it is repeated again before the end of the season. I know one or two season ticket holders had a bit of a moan about this plan, but surely it's better all round to get more people through the turnstiles? The atmosphere alone was worth it on Saturday.

And on the pitch, the players reacted positively to the increase in volume from the home fans. It felt a bit personal on Saturday. A number of former players were returning to Brick, and there was always the fear they would spoil the party. But, for once, it wasn't to be.

Latics more than stood up to their opponents. They pressed, ran, and bustled the opposition off the ball. And those ex-players? Well, it was good to see some of them again, but I can honestly say none of them would get into the current Latics team. I'm not going to go through individual performances, but none of them posed a threat to a rejuvenated Wigan team.

One other worry before the game was the pitch...how would it be after 'them lot' had trundled up and down in the Challenge Cup the night before? Well, the ground staff must have worked all night, because it looked fine. However, it didn't stop Graham Alexander moaning about the pitch after the game! Strange that we seemed to cope with it just fine...scoring two goals on the floor from open play!

And so on to Tuesday. If someone had offered me a point before the game - given our away record especially - I would have snatched their hand off. So why did I feel robbed at the end of the game?

Bang on the final whistle, my phone rang - my mate in Canada - 'Where the hell did he get nine minutes from?' he raged down the phone. Where indeed! I expected five, maybe six, but no. And then, to make matters worse, the referee then added another two minutes on 'because Barnsley were celebrating their goal!'

I think I was probably so annoyed because we were so superior in the first half - we should have been out of sight. Having said that, we still obviously have a slight problem scoring goals. Take Joe Taylor out of the equation, and we would probably have a serious problem.

But let's just sit back and reflect on the good points. Gary Caldwell continues to get the best out of his team, urging them to improve each week, and they seem to consistently respond. Bring on Exeter!

Matt Auffrey:

After the debacle that was the Plymouth match last week, Gary Caldwell and the lads needed to deliver a proper response to immediately shift the momentum back in the right direction. We were mere minutes away from following up a 3-0 home defeat with back-to-back wins resulting in a combined 3-0 scoreline.

For 177 consecutive minutes, we controlled the match against two opponents positioned much higher in the league table than ourselves. A reckless challenge by Callum Wright, bringing about a second yellow card, and a baffling nine minutes of stoppage-time invited Barnsley back into the match, with just enough time to snatch a late equaliser.

A frustrating ending capped off a strong overall performance. We left Oakwell with a decent point that many of our own fans surely would’ve taken if it had been offered before kick-off. We’ve received red cards in five of 19 away matches so far this season (26.3%). That statistic certainly plays a significant factor in why we have the lowest number of away wins (two) in the entire division.

This issue has plagued both managers up to this point in the campaign, and probably deserves more analysis from Caldwell’s coaching staff on how to avoid similar issues over our final four away trips. Yet, one hiccup should not distract from the fact that we have produced six very solid performances over the gaffer’s first seven games in charge.

Granted, Joe Taylor’s goals have played a major role in our recent success. What a player he is! While there is still a season to finish right now, along with a very important relegation battle we need to escape, I can’t help but look ahead to the summer.

Taylor’s inevitable return to his parent club will leave a massive hole in our striker room. The recruitment of his replacement will play a notable role in our trajectory for the season ahead. Blackpool spent a reported seven-figure sum on Dale Taylor last summer, and currently find themselves in the relegation zone. The 22-year-old striker was considered a ‘sure thing’ based on his numerous goal contributions at Latics. Yet, the only league goal he has scored all season was at the Brick back in December.

We could’ve had a lot more to worry about right now had we not signed Taylor from Huddersfield in January. Needless to say, the next transfer window will be critical, and I hope Caldwell is backed to a considerable degree.

However, before we look several months down the road, winning a relegation six-pointer against Exeter remains our top priority for the here and now. The Grecians are winless over their past 12 matches, and now have the misfortune of traveling nearly 250 miles to face the opposing manager who knows their squad better than anyone else on Planet Earth.

Given our inconsistent play, there are no remote guarantees for a positive outcome on Saturday. The combination of Exeter’s extensive woes and the confidence we’ve built from some recent stellar showings should hopefully play in our favour as we return to friendly confines of the Brick. If we can keep 11 men on the pitch for the entirety of 90 minutes, then I like our chances!

Martin Lally:

Before a ball's kicked this week, there needs to be more thoughts applied to the infamous club statement delivered last Wednesday. At first glance, it had all the hallmarks of a frustrated board lashing out at the fanbase who, since the Athletic report dropped, were frantically seeking answers.

Having listened to different views and read it about 20 times, it seems we have divided parties within the club, with apparently those outside of the family Danson not appraised of the long-term strategy. Unlike some, I’m not so convinced. The evidence has been stacking up for some time.

The abysmal decision making to retain the previous manager for so long, despite the impact on club and community. The removal of most communication to the fans. The lack of any form of reinvestment on players after some good yet unfortunate sales on star assets. The inability to capture a good talent from a local neighbour, who chose a club in more financial difficulty than us and too move 200 miles south because we couldn’t find £500k. I mean, if this had been a relationship dating show on the television, the youngsters would be saying ‘few red flags there!!’

Then there is the Brick Community Stadium. It was always going to be difficult, owning the Warriors, with the stadium owned by a third party (my absolute view that this was the sole intention of Mike Danson to buy Latics). Even bringing back a club legend that has worked miracles on shoe string budgets. All starting to come together?

I’ve no issue with them selling, the lack of interest from the start has been as clear as day. People keep spouting ‘he saved us’, and I know he did, but even Del Boy Trotter knew you speculate to accumulate. It’s us, the long-serving fans, that are suffering. The season ticket holders, the Springfield Parkers, the fantastic international and local groups that remain loyal and proud to a small piece of North West England football with a defiant, short but successful history, under someone who actually cared for the true values of Wigan Athletic.

You can’t take to social media and voice this, because you're deemed 'negative'. Perhaps I’m wrong, but only time will tell. Who knows what the next 18 months will bring? But we live in hope...hope of finally someone who cares. I keep putting on the Euro Millions…

So on to last Saturday, and not much expectation walking in. I wouldn’t say 'free hit', but I also thought it was going to be tough. At 5pm, arguably our best performance of the season. Fast breaks, tackles flying in, bodies on the line, and a superstar striker waving at the away end. Our Wigan Athletic are back!

Made up for Caylan Vickers. Heard a lot of talk that he was a luxury player when we signed him, but I’ve seen nothing but good things. Llyton Chapman looks the business as well, having stepped in for Morgan Fox with ease, and it would be hard to see him lose his place.

Fair play to Bradford, they packed out the away end and, with the 'bring a mate for free' initiative, it was a superb atmosphere. As unpopular as this next comment is, as someone who spends a fortune on Wigan Athletic, for me the crowd made a difference, and we need League One status. I wouldn’t even bat an eyelid if that initiative remains until the end of this season - get the Brick rocking and the boys backed, and get the wins we need for safety.

On to Tuesday, work dealt me a favourable hand, allowing a Tuesday night trip to Oakwell with the brother-in-law. A nice, old fashioned ground. 'Rate my burger' was back, and I have to say Popeye's van at the main supporters car park will struggle to be beaten this year...a resounding 9.5/10!

Got chatting to some Barnsley fans as well, nice people, interested in how our season had gone, and were convinced at the end that we would both find a way to lose the game! Sums their season up! After the three points against Bradford, walking in, a point would have been a great return. Walking out, it felt like a massive missed opportunity to getting really close to securing safety. The boys were fantastic!

Despite a dreadful first 10 minutes for both, Latics looked by far the best side overall. I see our old friend was in the Sky studio, and he was warmly welcomed of course by the travelling Latics faithful who sang his name with great gusto…

They say don’t fall in love with a loanee, but it’s hard not to love Joe Taylor. It’s not just the goals. For me, it’s the connection to the club, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking that the lad (now worth £3-5 million, in my humble opinion) will move on to better things this summer. I, for one, will fondly always be thankful for his time here, and I’ll be physically crying when he walks away after Stevenage...he’s been simply outstanding.

Finally this week, we are back to referees. Oh my...where do you even start with the performance of Mr Martin on Tuesday night? From minute one, you could see the performance would be inconsistent, and I’m sorry to say it, but once again not in the favour of Wigan Athletic.

In the first half, there were at least three fouls I have seen Wigan players booked for this season, and not even a toot from this merry whistleblower! A small percentage were annoyed at Callum Wright, but that same small percentage were moaning in January about lack of heart...you can’t have both!

Although silly on a booking, the lad gives everything, and he will do for me! Just look at the way the lad left the field, because he now knows he won’t be available against Exeter, and he was once again superb on Tuesday night. We are really going to miss him. Mr Martin simply couldn’t wait to get his card out.

And as for nine minutes, seriously? Where did he find all that time? There wasn’t one single injury that stopped play. In the end, he played 13 minutes extra. Simply put, disgraceful officiating, it felt like he was playing until Barnsley scored.

On to Saturday, and a tough day for Gary and Perks, but hopefully can utilise knowledge of Exeter and deliver us what would be another fantastic three points towards safety. Up the robbed again Tics!

Tony Moon:

Yaaaaay! We’re back. Back to the good old days of playing (yet another) team in the top half, away from home, and whingeing when we only come away with a point.

Let’s park the fact that we’d kept the third highest scoring team in the division goal-less for 96 minutes (yep, you read it right, they scored in the sixth minute of injury time in a game with no injuries...and the ref still played five more!), and instead focus on our recent run of (what were thought to be) our nightmare fixtures - beat Luton (now 11th), lost (only in injury time) to Stockport (now fifth), beat Huddersfield (now seventh), drew with Blackpool, stuffed by Plymouth (now 10th), beat Bradford (now fourth), and now drew with Barnsley (now 12th).

Only a month ago, if anyone had suggested we’d take 11 points from that run, they’d have received counselling as to their well-being (apparently, no-one is taken away these days, locked up and the key chucked away)…

Any road, with only Reading (now sixth) to play from the top half (alongside games against all the current bottom three) before the last game of the season, our future is definitely in our own hands!