Another passenger somewhat disagreed with the full and untainted belief that the Latics were capable of taking all three points from Champions League chasing Tottenham.
Eight minutes into the game and the point discussed pre-kick off was looking somewhat ambitious as Joel Robles fired the ball into his own goal via Gareth Bale’s backside. The newly crowned PFA player, and young player, of the year won’t score an easier goal.
In a moment of twenty seconds we highlighted the main reason for our present league position as once again the self destruct button was firmly pressed. At some point in the immediate proceeding possession either Robles or Figueroa should have put boot to ball and cleared their lines. It is a lesson we have learned the hard way numerous times over the past three years and should the trap door await us then it is fair to point to that goal as a big turning point.
This time last year it was Jordi Gomez and Franco di Santo conspiring to score a not too dissimilar goal against Arsenal at the Emirates in a game that turned out to be three bonus points in the hunt for survival. Unfortunately the same cannot be said this year as fate and referee Martin Atkinson conspired against us.
As if the bright red battery powered shirt he was sporting wasn’t enough to give attention to the weak official, the stream of needless free-kicks he awarded to Tottenham certainly put him in the centre of the Wigan supporters visions.
It wouldn’t have been unreasonable to assume that Atkinson had money on Spurs managing a top four finish. His antics throughout the game weren’t enough and with the clock running down it is disappointing that the actions of the referee had such a large outcome on the game.
It was wrong to award the free kick to Spurs as Beasuejour and Walker tussled and fought on the right flank, the free kick from which Tottenham scrambled their late equaliser. It was also wrong to award Tottenham a free kick for the last kick of the game as Jermain Defoe hurdled Paul Scharner with the prowess of a flying racehorse at Aintree, thankfully there was some justice as Bale fired his kick over.
The simple point is that the game should have been beyond Atkinson and his antics. Captain Emmerson Boyce was truly leading by example as he thundered his header home to equalise and spare Joel’s early blushes.
Then there was the true moment of magic as Callum McManaman continued to show just why he is fast becoming a regular in the starting line up. So often our attacking play is laboured, forced, and contrived, but as soon as the ball was played into the sprightly winger he spun inside the full back with his first touch before rifling the ball past Lloris.
It was a beautiful strike that gave the Latics the lead, and one that should have put us out of sight but for our earlier blunders.
The injury to Figueroa will be a very significant blow as the Honduran has been very solid at the back for the Latics this season. It is with hope that I pray Martinez turns to Stam as opposed to Caldwell. Too often this season Caldwell has been exposed for pace and to bring him in at centre back will be suicidal to our season. Instead we need to turn to Stam who can offer an attacking outlet despite his defensive shortcomings.
Our league position doesn’t look too promising and time is fast running out to save ourselves. There is a lot of work to do and we have the quality to do it. We just need to cut out the silly errors and become the ruthless side that destroyed the big clubs to survive last season.
Believe.