There are likely to be a combination of factors at play and all are hindering the promotion chase back to the Premiership.
Chief amongst the reasons is the whole upheaval of the squad over the summer as Owen Coyle was forced to rebuild the team following the exodus that followed Roberto Martinez.
The number of changes is clearly taking its toll as Saturday’s line up contained just four players who were at the club last season.
In particular the defence is struggling with the wholesale changes. James Perch’s howler against Bournemouth aside the finger cannot be pointed at any one player. Individually the defence is operating well, but put together as a unit and there are clear deficiencies in communication, organisation, and understanding.
With less than a week of the transfer market remaining, Latics fans will be pleased when it is shut and focus can be turned fully to matters on the pitch.
To help speed up the team building process it would help if Owen Coyle could settle on his best first eleven. The new Latics boss has been chopping and changing, for choice and also injuries, during the early part of this season and the changes are causing issue for the players who visibly don’t know if they are coming or going.
The season is long and there will be plenty of time to use the large squad, but for the moment the focus needs to be on building a core nucleus first team and to get a slick operation on the field.
So far we’ve had a good summer in terms of the transfer market and if that continues over the next few days we will see the window close with a strong team. This was illustrated excellently at the weekend by Roger Espinoza and Jordi Gomez.
Both players put in good performances and should warrant first team places against Forest at the weekend. Given the slow starts of Chris McCann and James McLean, Owen Coyle would be wise to retain some continuity and operate with Espinoza, Gomez, Watson, McCarthy, and McArthur as his immediate preferred midfield choices.
There must also be a word for one half of the dynamic midfield Mac duo. Visibly annoyed with his substitution James McArthur was backed up by the West Stand who were booing the manager’s choice of substitution as opposed to his replacement of Jordi Gomez. I think it is fair to say that Coyle took off the wrong Mac on Saturday and he swiftly realised his error as McCann departed shortly afterwards aswell.
Next Saturday’s visit of Nottingham Forest will be a real test of our mettle for the season to come. Forest have started the season well and are one of the favourites to gain promotion this season. If we truly have ambitions to be battling at the top end of the table we need to show good form against Billy Davies’ men.