We had a bit of a rocky start to the season with mixed results and even more mixed performances. The team wasn’t gelling and we looked disjointed. Their where splashes of quality sprinkled over our occasional good performances but the over-riding concern was that the wholesale changes seen over the summer were taking too long to bed down.
The past month or so has been much a different story as Owen Coyle’s stamp has really come through and team is functioning much more under his style. Chief at the top of this list are the performances of the back line, and the department in which there has been the greatest consistency of personnel.
With Lee Nicholls coming in and looking solid between the posts, Leon Barnett and Ryan Shotton making the centre back spots their own and James Perch and Emmerson Boyce operating as the favoured full backs. The back line is becoming a real asset. Since the start of October we have conceded just six goals in nine game which is a pretty good return considering we had games against QPR, Rubin Kazan (home and away), and an away trip to Blackpool.
Aswell as the ever impressive Nick Powell we now have Marc Antoine Fortune, and Grant Holt returning to fitness and there are four talented wingers vying for two spots; Gomez, McManaman, Albrighton, and McClean. Aligned to our ever-consistent defence we now have a forward line that will rival anything in the division as Coyle’s vision over the summer starts to take fruition.
With another international break this weekend it is a good point to stop and take stock of the season so far. The over-riding message appears to be that despite a rocky start we are now starting to develop consistency and looking to push forward up the table.
The games come thick and fast over the festive period and with just one league game remaining in November (Brighton at home a week on Saturday) we turn our focus to December where we face no less than nine games (eight of which are in the league).
With a game in hand and sitting just outside the play off places putting in the performances and picking up the points in those eight December league games could well see us boost our promotion hopes in one big December push. Recent performances suggest we are ready to kick on and we have the squad to handle the busy fixture list. Bring it on.
There must also be a word of congratulations for our captain Emmerson Boyce who on Sunday made it 200 starts for the Latics during his career with the club. Never one to stand in the lime light Boyce is a true loyal servant to the club and a real favourite amongst the supporters. Even at 34 years of age his commitment and ability is unwavering and it is a real pleasure to see him wearing the club’s colours each week.