Opinion: Blunt Latics lose again

Last updated : 21 January 2007 By Paul Farrington
Get well soon: Andy Johnson
David Cotterill was surprisingly dropped to the bench with Antonio Valencia taking his place on the right flank.

The back four consisted of (from right to left) Emmerson Boyce, Fitz Hall, David Unsworth and Leighton Baines. Across midfield the side was Anotonio Valencia, Denny Landzaat, Josip Skoko and Kevin Kilbane.

Want-away Lee McCulloch and Emile Heskey were named up front.

Everton meanwhile lined up with their predictable 4-5-1 formation, with Tim Cahill supporting Andy Johnson up front as much as possible.

The game itself certainly wasn't a classic with the pitch proving difficult to play football. There was little quality football on display and a mistake or moment of brilliance was always going to win the day.

As it happens, it was a mistake by David Unsworth that cost the Latics. Fitz Hall seemingly had the England striker Andy Johnson in his pocket all game.

The former Crytal Palace centre back wasn't worried by the pace and direct running of Johnson, and was doing a superb job in keeping the forward quiet.

The odd hard challenge from Unsworth did no harm in putting Johnson off the game.

It was one of these challenges that ended the match for Johnson on the hour mark. He went into a challenge with Chris Kirkland and David Unsworth and never got up. He was taken off on a stretcher and received a terrific response from both sets of supporters, who will no doubt wish Johnson all the best.

Blunt: Lee McCulloch
However it was somewhat ironic that Johnson's replacement, Victor Anichebe would win the penalty that took the game away from Wigan. After 60 minutes of solid defensive control against Johnson, David Unsworth made the mistake of going to ground in the penalty area against Anichebe.

The teenage striker nudged the ball beyond Unsworth's challenge and fell to the ground earning a penalty. This was duly dispatched in style by Spaniard Mikael Arteta.

Arteta then added to Wigan's woes at the end of the second half. He converted from Phil Neville's cross after good work from James Beattie.

The game itself was shaded by the Latics with the simple difference being the cutting edge. Had the Latics added a striker to the ranks during the transfer window and this could have been a different game.

James Beattie was a name linked with the Latics, and the game could well have had a different outcome had he been wearing blue and white today.

For all the possession (a vast improvement on the long-ball game) that the Latics had, there just wasn't a cutting edge and Josip Skoko and David Cotterill chances apart, the Latics didn't look too dangerous.

Meanwhile, for all Leighton's talents at full back, he is not the captain that is needed at the moment. A team playing the way the Latics are at the moment need some real drive and direction. Arjan De Zeeuw's injury couldn't have come at a worse time.

In summary, it seems the team are low on confidence at the moment, and a goal or result is certainly what is needed to get things going. The problem is where is that goal going to come from. A striker is certainly needed, and the wait for Camara could be too late.

Player Ratings

Chris Kirkland (7) Solid performance and didn't have much chance with the goals.

Emmerson Boyce (6) Solid defensive performance but doesn't offer much going forward.

Leighton Baines (7) Another solid defensive performance. Hit a poor free kick in the first half and his shots have become wild. It must be very hard playing with Kevin Kilbane in front of you.

David Unsworth (6) A good performance from the veteran centre back. A silly mistake to give away the penalty that cost us the game. Was it any better than Matt Jackson could have offered?

Fitz Hall (8) Despite all his critics and shaky start, Hall did a very good job on Andy Johnson and was unfortunate to be taken off.

Antonio Valencia (6) Clearly wasn't fit and was lacking his usual spark.
Kevin Kilbane (4) He's not fit to wear the shirt. A distinct lack of effort and ability is his real downfall.

Denny Landzaat (6) Didn't have too much influence on the game, but his performances are improving. He's not the sort of player you need in a relegation scrap though.

Josip Skoko (6) Had a cracking effort in the second half that hit the bar, but otherwise spent too much time trying to deal with Everton's five man midfield.

Emile Heskey (6) The effort was there but he lacked the cutting edge. The sooner he gets a partner or Camara up alongside him the better.

Lee McCulloch (5) No goal threat what-so-ever. Despite a lot of running and lost headers, there was little else from the Scottish striker.

Substitutes

Ryan Taylor (8) Added some much needed attacking influence down the right hand side. The sooner he is back to match fitness the better.

Daivd Cotterill (7) Built up a good relationship with Taylor down the right hand side and was unlucky not to grab a consolation in the dying seconds.