Hugo Rodallega has been the main source of goals for Wigan Athletic for almost two seasons now. The Columbian international striker has settled well into the English game and sits proudly at the top of the scorers charts for the Latics, indeed he is just one goal away from equalling Henri Camara’s record of Premiership goals for the club.
However in recent weeks/months Rodallega has lost his way and isn’t providing the goals that are needed to fire the Latics to survival. He has averaged just one goal a month so far this season and his last goal came against Blackburn in the 4-3 thriller at the DW Stadium.
There are accusations that the striker does not have the commitment to the cause that is required to help save the Latics from relegation. With Mauro Boselli proving to be a £5.5 million flop and Franco Di Santo looking somewhat fearful in front of goal, there has been little pressure on Rodallega for his place as the spearhead of the Latics attack.
There is also the argument that Rodallega is often left isolated up front on his own, with only two opposition defenders for company.
Both would appear valid points, but with Charles N’Zogbia, Victor Moses, Tom Cleverley and James McCarthy playing behind you, it is unlikely to be too much of the latter.
Harping back to the good old days when we first won promotion and Jason Roberts provided a perfect example of how to make a handful of yourself, even when faced with two towering opposition centre backs.
Rodallega is a much more talented player than Roberts but his displays in recent weeks have lacked the application and aggression that is needed to see him have more of an impact on the game.
There are also calls for Martinez to try a 4-4-2 formation and give Rodallega a player up top alongside him. With Conor Sammon in the fold and the evidence of his cameo against City he could well prove a decisive force in the closing months of the season.
One thing is for sure, Martinez is not short of options should Rodallega fail to have an impact on our game with Birmingham in just under two weeks time.
With the pressure for points, and consequently, goals ever increasing for the Latics let’s hope Rodallega finds his scoring boots again. For all the talent of those midfielders behind him, we need Hugo to be banging the goals in if we are to survive this season.
Image courtesy of Bernard Platt and Wigan Athletic.