Opinion: Latics need two up top

Last updated : 17 December 2014 By Paul Farrington

We have the joint fourth worst goals for in the entire division averaging just a single goal a game so far this campaign. A total of 21 goals for.

This single fact needs to change at the weekend with the visit of struggling Rotherham.

The Millers sit square at the bottom of the goalscoring charts with just 16 goals to their name, a record equalled only by abysmal Blackpool and mid-table Sheffield Wednesday. The latter have relied on a water-tight back line.

At the same time Rotherham have shipped 26 goals so there is opportunity to get some confidence back into our mis-firing squad.

With Martyn Waghorn nearing fitness, and Andy Delort seemingly revitalised in the reserves it is time to give Marc Antoine Fortune some real support at the top of pitch.

Delusions that James McClean and Callum McManaman can operate as strikers need to be removed. These two are exellent wingers and their talents needs to be exploited as such.

On their day both players are amoungst the best in the division at beating full backs and providing service to their forwards.

Where the Latics have been lacking is in support for the lone runner. Fortune has put in some ferocious shifts to run the attacking line solo but this has come at the detriment of our goals.

Forcibly required to do the team thing, Fortune has spent too much time outside the area this season. A support act up top alongside would allow Fortune more time to poach goals, but equally give opposition centre backs more to think about.

With January around the corner the potential for incoming forwards grows and there is of course the return of Grant Holt to consider.

In a home fixture against a fellow struggling side there is no excuse for not taking the game to Rotherham.

Supporters are likely to feel cheated if the pattern of normality is continued with the Latics dominating possession but failing to create clear cut chances.

Saturday represents a great opportunity to stamp our attacking authority on the game and return to within one point of safety.

The Christmas period is gonig to be crucial to our season with some very winable games on the fixture list.

Top of the list for presents amongst Latics fans will the return of two up top.

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