HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at the DW Stadium by delving into their forums.

“A big game next up at home when we do need to go for it”, “The last two draws have felt like losses given the chance we had to pull clear, but we never looked like taking it”, “I am more worried about relegation than I was prior to these last two draws. I have not seen the fight that I was hoping for.”

Wigan head into Saturday’s game five points and two places clear of relegation places with a game in hand, but most Latics are taking nothing for granted. Injuries to key players and a lack of quality in depth in their squad have led to them to drift down the table having been third in late September.

“The dilemma we are now in is that expectation levels were raised by our early season form. Had we not got off to the start we did, then these would be in line with most pre-season predictions”, “Some people need to lower their expectations and realise that things just aren’t as simple as they believe.”

“I am happy with where we are, but it’s a good job that Bolton and Ipswich are below us. I always thought it was between us and Rotherham for the last relegation spot”, “The change from how we approached the start of the season and how we play now is quite marked and not in a good way.”

“The frustration is with general levels of performance. How often this season have we played well? I’m not talking about ripping up trees or five-star displays, just good solid three-out-of-five games. There have not been enough of them, especially when the opposition were nothing to shout about.”

Paul Cook

“The general consensus pre-season was that survival was the key objective to the season and that Cook would have done a good job had he achieved that. What has changed since then? We now are exactly where we were predicted to be. We should look at our expectations and not change again.”

Paul Cook

Latics have been concerned in recent games by a change in Cook’s tactical approach. The 51-year-old left Portsmouth in 2017 and last season led Wigan to promotion from League One and took them on an FA Cup run which included a win over Manchester City playing a stylish brand of passing football.

This has changed lately. “At Rotherham [a 1-1 draw two weeks ago], either the players did as Cook said and his instructions are awful, or he has no idea how to get them to do as he wants”, “I think the players lack the ability to carry out his instructions at Championship level and that is worrying.”

“Cook’s tactics at Rotherham were to be just as awful as them. They made [former Wigan manager] Warren Joyce’s style of play look like Barcelona in their pomp”, “I am a big fan but am concerned by the changes to our approach, our terrible run and the deterioration to Joyce-style hoofing the ball.”

“Cook has wanted nothing but not to lose lately”, “Despite the team being unrecognisable from the early part of the season, Cook is telling the players to do exactly the same things. It’s not so much about tactics, it’s about the players not implementing them and has set alarm bells ringing with me.”

Turgid, Fearful Football

“We are too slow and have no creativity. We are jittery at the back and lacking up front”, “It’s the same turgid approach we have taken since October, especially away from home. It’s becoming the same approach we are using at home”, “The focus in the last two games was all about not losing.”

“There is plenty of huff and puff in our play and our defence battles hard, but we’re getting so little from our attacking players. There’s a lack of urgency in our play”, “We have one of the best home records in the league and it has hardly been turgid with seven points out of the last nine at home.”

“We create more when we get the ball down and try to play football.” Latics were concerned by the sale of Will Grigg to Sunderland in the January window. Although not prolific, he contributed to their wider attacking play. Many see his replacement Leon Clarke as being suited to more direct football.

“Cook uses the 4-2-3-1 shape 90 per cent of the time, occasionally switching to 4-3-3.” The starting XI (above) for the Stoke game 10 days ago kept Cook’s preferred shape. Three players from the side that we beat in December, defenders Dan Burn, Callum Connolly and striker Grigg, have left the club.

Keeper Jamie Jones has displaced Christian Walton and he is seen as far better at commanding his area. Centre-back Danny Fox arrived in January and missed the Stoke game having been stretchered off in the previous draw at Rotherham. Latics have welcomed both his experience and leadership.

Chey Dunkley is praised for his strength and aerial ability and he is seen as less risk-prone than fellow centre-half Cedric Kipre. Cook has used converted wingers in full-back roles in recent games. Nathan Byrne is a solid right-back, but the defensive work of Kal Naismith on the left has concerned fans.

“Cook seems to prefer more defensive-minded midfielders, and he likes to play two in order to allow both full-backs to get forward”, “I wish he would play with one sitting and allow a more creative one to push on a bit, as we become predictable and direct when we try to play through the middle.”

Reece James, the eye-catching right-back who started at Portman Road in December, has switched to a holding midfield role and many see his forward-thinking play coupled with Sam Morsy’s industry as giving the side a good balance in the centre. Lee Evans is an energetic alternative to either player.

“We should have goals in the team again now we have our wingers back”, “With Michael Jacobs and Gavin Massey in cracking form, we were scoring goals for fun in our first few games”, “When they were injured our play changed because we had two players come in who play less direct than them.”

The loss of the direct Jacobs and Dunkley to injury has been regularly highlighted as a key reason for the Latics’ loss of form. Anthony Pilkington has been used as a less direct and more ball-playing wide attacker cutting in from the right. Callum McManaman is now a regular impact substitute.

With playmaker Nick Powell out injured since November, his replacement Josh Windass has been praised for the goals and assists he has added with good movement and anticipation. Powell made a substitute appearance against the Potters 10 days ago and is seen as the more threatening player.

“We need to pass our way up the pitch as much as possible and use the direct ball to Leon Clarke as a last resort.” Clarke is seen as a better finisher than the departed Grigg, while Joe Garner is widely viewed as a useful bench option. With nine goals in the last 10 games, this is most Latics’ biggest worry.

Wigan 0 — 0 Stoke

“Well, that was boring”, “It was not only boring, it was dreadful. We totally lacked the desire to compete in the game, let alone win it”, “A typical lower end of the league game where neither team played particularly well”, “The approach was pitiful considering we can only play and pick up wins at home.”

There were just five shots on target in this drab goalless draw 10 days ago. Potters worried about the ease with which Wigan cut through their diamond until they changed shape. Home supporters in contrast were very frustrated with the lack of ambition their team showed as the game wore on.

“We had no urgency”, “We gave up trying to win the game after 60 minutes and showed no urgency. That was the biggest disappointment as we should be trying to win no matter who we play”, “If we wanted four points from this game and the next one against Ipswich, we are already halfway there.”

Rotherham 1 — 1 Wigan

“One point is better than nowt. I would have taken that before the game”, That was a horrendous game for the neutral, two awful sides who were bad enough to go down even from League One on that showing”, “It wasn’t much of a game with constant niggly fouls and a very pedantic referee.”

Clark Robertson gave the Millers a deserved lead on 28 with a powerful header, but Josh Windass scored for a third successive game four minutes later as he smashed in from a tight angle to bring Wigan level. Latics were baffled by Cook’s decision to try and match Rotherham’s long-ball game.

“In 20 years watching Wigan, I don’t think I have seen a game where the ball was on the floor less than today”, “Almost everyone out there was mediocre”, “You could see that on the rare occasions we tried to pass the ball on the deck in the final third, we ripped through Rotherham very easily.”

“We played to their strengths and our weaknesses.” The starting XI (above) contained the back four preferred by most Latics, but Cook gave Everton loanee Beni Baningime a starting debut alongside James in midfield. Some felt that their inexperience contributed to the side playing direct football.

Wigan 2 — 1 QPR

“Nice to get a win and we looked good in patches”, “A crucial win that will go a long way in terms of maintaining our Championship status”, “We were decent, not great but not awful either, doing just enough”, “It wasn’t pretty but we grafted hard and picked up a confidence-boosting three points.”

Josh Windass put Wigan ahead on eight minutes with a good low finish, and debutant Leon Clarke doubled Wigan's lead on 55, stabbing the ball in at the far post. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s deflected shot on 75 halved the deficit, but Paul Cook's side withstood a late Rangers rally to see the game out.

“A win is a win but I thought it was unconvincing. There were more defensive frailties evident again”, “QPR controlled quite a lot of the game but created little. They had plenty of time moving the ball around at the back because our shape didn’t really lend itself to pressing them high up the pitch.”

The starting line-up (above) saw Cedric Kipre partner Fox at the back, while Lee Evans joined Reece James in midfield as Morsy served the first of a two-game ban. “It wasn’t the best game but it was a good battle with some excellent moments”, “It was a vital, much-needed three points.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Jamie Jones was our best player against Stoke. He took good positions to come out for the ball and made some fine saves.” The 29-year-old ex-Stevenage keeper “gets stuck in and comes off his line for 50/50 balls”, “He’s quick to respond to potential threats and not afraid to dive at strikers’ feet.”

Jamie Jones (Wigan Athletic)

“Jones is more assured than Christian Walton”, “He is much better than Walton with the ball in the air but he’s awful from range and his kicking can be wonky at times”, “Walton’s a great shot-stopper but can’t command his area and refuses to come out with the ball. Jones is the complete opposite.”

“I don’t think that Nathan Byrne is good enough to play on the right wing but he is a decent enough full-back.” The 26-year-old ex-Wolves man “is a better out-and-out defender than Reece James but he doesn’t pose much of a threat”, “His crossing can be woeful and his distribution can go awry.”

“Byrne is a very good footballer but has not got that killer instinct to damage teams as a winger”, “He uses the ball well and works his socks off. He can nullify tricky wingers but occasionally he gives his man too much space”, “Playing him in midfield is pointless as he is a right-back pure and simple.”

Flynn Downes v Nathan Byrne

“Kal Naismith has something to offer going forward but his defensive positioning is shocking.” The 28-year-old former Portsmouth winger “is the best crosser of a ball we have had since Jean Beausejour. He can cost us with his mistakes but we have come very close to scoring from his brilliant crosses.”

“Naismith has never been and will never be a left-back. He can’t defend and it’s not his fault. It’s not his position”, “His lack of positional awareness is awful and his body positions are all wrong. That is why he ends up on his backside against good wingers”, “He often gets targeted and exposed badly.”

“At the start of the season, Antonee Robinson was a huge part of our success.” The 21-year-old left-back and Everton loanee has been out since November with an ankle injury but has been training again. “At times his pure aggression and direct running reminded me of Yanic Wildschut at his best.”

“Jonas Olsson is a 6ft 6in defender to counter Championship giants.” The 34-year-old one-time West Brom centre-half was signed as a free agent in January but has yet to play for Wigan. “He’s a great signing who will help Dunkley and Kipre to improve, a monster who will frighten teams at corners.”

“Chey Dunkley does well when it’s all battle and head-tennis.” The 26-year-old former Oxford man “was absolutely excellent at centre-half up against one of the most physically imposing opponents he will ever face in Sam Vokes. He got the better of him, winning all his aerial battles from crosses.”

“Dunkley dealt with QPR’s target man Matt Smith quite well”, “He’s excellent at dealing with teams who have a set-piece threat”, “He struggles with the ball at his feet and will hopelessly overhit balls forward”, “He’s a big old-fashioned stopper but we need defenders who can make time on the ball.”

“Cedric Kipre is a brave centre-half who flings himself in front of everything but he does have some hairy moments.” The 22-year-old August signing from Motherwell “makes unforced errors. He nearly had a red card against QPR for taking someone out when they were potentially through on goal”, “

“Kipre now looks like a shuddering wreck”, “As the season has gone on, he has gone from being solid to dodgy more frequently. He misses a lot of headers and is beaten to the ball. On the ball, he looks like he’s dealing with a hot potato, either lumping it forward or putting team-mates under pressure.”

Danny Fox

“Fox is a captain and leader who goes to all the players individually to fire them up.” The 32-year-old January signing from Nottingham Forest “is just what we need. He plays passes into feet in between the lines straight through to the attacking midfielders or the striker. He has looked in great form.”

“Almost every Forest fan said that Fox was great as a centre-back but terrible as a left-back”, “He was moved to centre-back by [then Forest boss] Aitor Karanka and blossomed”, “He seems to have organised the defence better. Cook wants to integrate him into the team as quickly as possible.”

Central Midfielders

“Lee Evans is a cog that make the team function when they play well.” The 24-year-old ex-Sheffield United man “was doing very well until we started playing more defensively and more direct. When our style of play didn’t suit his strengths, he went off the boil and he stopped showing for the ball.”

“Evans covers every blade of grass. He sets the press from the front, works tirelessly and his passing is tight”, “He hasn’t been doing a good job protecting the back four and he has also started playing a lot of safe sideways and back passes”, “He lacks pace and for a big lad he gets easily knocked off the ball.”

“There’s always a risk of putting Darron Gibson and losing the game.” The 31-year-old ex-Sunderland man isn’t trusted by most Latics. “What an awful waste of money he was”, “There’s a piece on the club website in which he says he’s happy and enjoying his football. Well, I am pleased someone is.”

“Beni Baningime didn’t look too strong and arguably didn’t look like he was too keen to be on the ball at Rotherham.” The 20-year-old January loan signing from Everton “didn’t disgrace himself and he looked fairly composed when he did get the ball. He also made some decent tackles as well.”

“Gary Roberts is one of our fittest players and will be kept as a back-up for another year or two.” The 34-year-old ex-Portsmouth and one-time Town man “looks a good player when central but doesn’t have the legs to play a wide role now. He works his socks off for 60 minutes and runs out of steam.”

Gary Roberts

“We would have lost the Stoke game without Sam Morsy.” The 27-year-old ex-Chesterfield man and Egypt international “gives us good bite in front of the defence and carries the ball out well”, “He can do the pressing and water-carrying in front of the back four. He’s the driving force in our midfield.”

“Morsy further forward with time on the ball is dangerous against teams that play a high line”, “He’s a hard worker who gives his all in every game but creates little to get the juices flowing”, “He needs to speed up his release of the ball as he often delays and lets opponents to get back into formation.”

“The movement and anticipation of Josh Windass have been superb and his finishing has also been clinical.” The 25-year-old August signing from Rangers “works hard and gets in good positions but his use of the ball is much improved. He could still learn to use his frame and be stronger on the ball.”

“Windass showed both sides of his game at Rotherham. He had the skill, movement and pace to hurt teams along with the powder-puff physicality that’s so frustrating. Time and again he lets the centre-backs have the ball without challenging them. He backs out of challenges he could have attempted.”

Reece James

“James is slotting into midfield so easily.” The 19-year-old Chelsea loanee “is strong in the tackle and always wants the ball, going forward with it on almost all occasions”, “He moved in from right-back when Morsy was suspended and it didn’t take long to look like he had been playing there for years.”

Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion) v Reece James (Wigan Athletic)

“James’s passing is excellent and he is always up for the battle”, “The thing about this lad is that he can play anywhere. You can tell watching him that he just loves the game”, “I’m just going to enjoy watching this young man play for the rest of the season because he won’t be back here next year.”

Wingers and Wide Midfielders

“Our form and goals started to dry up when Gavin Massey was injured.” The 26-year-old ex-Leyton Orient right winger “brings a much-needed sense of urgency and he will press defences high up the pitch”, “He takes on and commits defenders with pace and allows us to get in behind defences.”

“There’s no doubting that Massey has improved since our League One days when I thought he was a weak link”, “He isn’t that important that the whole team fell apart without him. He was very spirited but without a threat”, “He won’t beat his man one-on-one, but his movement off the ball is good.”

“Michael Jacobs is always looking to take responsibility.” The 27-year-old ex-Wolves left winger “has added a little more of the spark that has been missing lately”, “A direct winger who will improve our attacking play. He gives us an out-ball as he has a trick in him. He looks really sharp and dangerous.”

Michael Jacobs celebrates scoring with James Vaughan

“Jacobs takes on players and allows us to penetrate defences”, “He’s far less effective when we are forced deep as a team, as he can’t bomb forward easily and catch defences unawares”, “Some of his extravagant dives put refs off when he genuinely has been fouled”, “We do need his direct running.”

“It doesn’t matter when Callum McManaman plays as he will never last a game.” The 27-year-old ex-Sunderland man “plays in fits and starts. He fades after 20 minutes and becomes invisible”, “He is a game-winner and has often done more in his 20-minute cameos than the other wingers combined.”

Anthony Pilkington

“I like Pilkington, he has great feet with the ball and a turn of pace.” The 30-year-old former Canary and January signing from Cardiff, who was also targeted by Town, “looks a class act. His use of the ball and ability to keep possession are very impressive”, “He adds a spark to the midfield, his pace and his ball control setting him apart.”

Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff)

“Pilkington has the class to be able to hold on to the ball and beat a man”, “The skill he shows to lose defenders is top drawer and we have finally got someone who can provide a final ball after doing all the initial hard work”, “He may just well prove to be the missing piece from our attacking jigsaw.”

Strikers

“A fit and in-form Nick Powell is a rarity.” The 24-year-old former Manchester United playmaker or striker made his first appearance off the bench against Stoke after suffering a hamstring injury in November. “Our survival hopes may well rely on Powell returning and saving our collective bacon.”

“In Powell’s first games this season he looked like a world-beater. He was fast, hard-working, strong in the air and getting goals and assists”, “He’s an unusual player with so much potential but half the time I don’t think he knows what he’s going to do. It’s a shame given his really outstanding ability.”

Joe Garner

“Against QPR, Garner was up to his old tricks of playing the man and not the ball, and it just doesn’t work.” The 30-year-old August signing from Town “can be rough and aggressive but is more effective when his talent is more controlled and channelled into his actual play rather than off the ball antics”.

Garner celebrates v Sheffield Wednesday

“Garner is superb at winning headers and pressurising defenders into mistakes”, “He wins headers and flick-ons and his physical presence makes a huge difference”, “He doesn’t suit our high-tempo passing game and spends more time rolling around on the floor than trying to actually play football.”

Leon Clarke

“Clarke is a big lump who has been brought in to help with our turgid approach.” The 34-year-old January loan signing from Sheffield United “was poor against Stoke with no hold-up play and little movement”, “He’s a significantly better goal-getter than Grigg even if he is technically inferior.”

Leon Clarke (Sheffield United)

“Clarke comes alive when the ball goes towards the box. His movement and predatory instinct in the box are infinitely improved since his last time here”, “His anticipation, acceleration and strength do allow him to make up yards over a short distance and we lose all presence up front without him.”

Latics’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“Ipswich is a must-win game”, “Not beating a team that have conceded two goals in most of their away games this season and who have only one win away from home would quite frankly put us at rock bottom”, “If we don’t beat Ipswich, where on earth are the points going to come from?”

“Without wishing to state the obvious, Ipswich are a very poor side and given that we're relying on our home form to carry us through we simply have to win this one against the worst team in the division”, “Ipswich is an absolutely must-win game, anything less will be simply asking for trouble.”

“Ipswich will have no Paul Lambert in the technical area due to suspension. We should all be fighting fit and there should be no excuses for anything but a home win”, “Fail to win this and suddenly we will be under pressure again as the number of realistically winnable games is starting to decrease.”

“Ipswich achieved the same result we did against Stoke and need to win, so it should be an open game on Saturday.” Latics widely expect a home win and are hoping to exact revenge for what one fan described “another woeful away performance” in their 1-0 Portman Road defeat in December.

“We are truly in trouble.” Latics were horrified both by the result and their display in December’s game. “We were awful, worse we have played in a long time, and it felt like no one wanted to be there”, “I have just seen the winning goal. Oh, my God, that is so poor all round.”

“It's insulting losing to the worst team I seen us play with one of the worst goals I ever seen”, “When you can only force the keeper into one save all game you know where the problem lies”, “One shot on target today against by far the worst team in the division is completely unacceptable.”

“It’s rich of me to say Ipswich deserved nothing but there should be a rule where both teams get no points for games like today”, “Make no mistake Ipswich are really appalling and bar some ridiculous transfer business will be going down. If they play that poorly all season, they wouldn't get a point.”

Websites

The busiest Wigan forum is the friendly and knowledgeable Latics Speyk, while additional comment can also be found at Cockney Latic.
Wigan Athletic highlights are available on the Multimedia menu as well as Ipswich Town and for the whole of the Championship and other EFL leagues.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

SamWhiteUK added 11:35 - Feb 22 F*ck you Wigan
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itfchorry added 11:49 - Feb 22 Thanks Harry
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ArnieM added 11:51 - Feb 22 Thanks Harry . C'maarn Town, we can do this !
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BobbyBell added 11:59 - Feb 22 Yes we have been awful this season but the last three games suggest that they could be in for a shock. They seem more concerned with how poor we were in the last game than how we are playing now.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 12:31 - Feb 22 We win the next two matches and it all starts to get interesting
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ericclacton added 13:56 - Feb 22 Hi Harry. I've seen all but two games at home this term of which one was Wigan, It just pokes you in the eyes what has gone wrong and i can recall saying the same thing last October, there are no goals in the squad which is the reason why we are off to the third division...................On a more cheerful note I really love blue Monday pods, I'm going to watch Richards next. great notes H.

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pbishop1799 added 15:58 - Feb 22 Not a huge amount between the two teams.The problem is - we can't score. Maybe that will change tomorrow.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:24 - Feb 22 Sorry, I forgot. Thanks Harry for the usual excellent piece of work.
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KiwiTractor added 08:53 - Feb 23 I always like Gary Roberts. What's the bet that Pilkington and Garner both score..... Come on us.
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StuartBrett8 added 10:46 - Feb 23 Someone is due a tonking from us, where everything suddenly clicks and we get some luck... please be today after the comments from them.
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