BFTG - Wigan away

[PieEater]

Well I thought that was a pretty decent performance and we were robbed of 3 points. 4-0 wouldn't have faltered us.

Their first goal was a combination of poor defending, a lucky rebound to McManamam and then another lucky deflection from his shot past Feds. That was pretty well all Wigan did all of the first half and most of the second.

Although we had a lot of possession we didn't create much and Taylor and Edwards were rightly subbed for Cox and Guthrie. Cox looks up for it, a lot of movement and made the keeper pull off a pretty decent save from his first shot. Blackman was unlucky from a flick header from a corner, the keeper pulled off another good save from a shot and it looked like it wasn't going to be our day. Then Cummings pops up with a tidy left footed shot in the corner and at 1-1 it looked only we would win. Blackman then hits the post, and shortly afterwards Morrison makes it 2-1 from what looked like a training ground set piece move.

Somehow in injury time we managed to chuck away 2 points, getting done by a long punt and header. Wigan were pretty poor all match yet somehow they came away with a point.

If we can keep this level of performance we'll be OK. It's a toss up between Obita and Hector for MOTM.

[SPARTA]

Some excellent passing football today. Just a shame we still make the same errors at the back, because elsewhere on the pitch it is clearly coming together. Can't fault the performance really, a point is a good result. Add a few more faces to that team and anything is possible - but we must add a top end championship goalscorer to the team. Still far too light-weight in that department.

[genome]

58% possession against a decent passing side is very encouraging.

[soggy biscuit]

58% possession against a decent passing side is very encouraging.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/06/27/soccer_possession_the_inside_story_of_the_game_s_most_controversial_stat.html

[winchester_royal]

Thought we were bang average first half. Controlled the game well enough, rarely looked threatened, but offered zilch going forward. Taylor isn't a winger, and I'm sorry but I just can't get on board with the Edwards hype. He's tidy enough on the ball but has no presence and the difference Cox made was massively pronounced as a result. We didn't have any width either so yeah....all a bit dull but definitely didn't deserve to go in 1 down to an outclassed Wigan side.

The second half was the best 45 mins of the Adkins era imo. We played with tempo and purpose, closed them down mercilessly and attacked with verve and precision, especially with Guthrie and Cox on the pitch. Obita was excellent when moved to the left, and it gave Blackman more space to work his magic down the right. He looks a real player this season. Two good goals later and we're sauntering towards an excellent 3 points but then lo and behold a basic punt upfield drags Morrison out of position which leads to disaster when Pearce loses the header. Cue muted celebrations from an embarrassed home crowd. Unfortunate, but this should galvanise the squad to go on and have the good season they'll have if they keep this up.

Special mentions to Cox and Guthrie who changed the game. Cox played like the no. 10 we've been crying out for in his 30 mins. A gr8 signing if he continues like that. MOTM though goes to Hector who was imperious in midfield. Bossed a much vaunted Wigan line up.

[yappy]

Obita was excellent when moved to the left, and it gave Blackman more space to work his magic down the right.

Good to hear that. I'm hoping we can get a specialist left back in and move Obita forward.

In regards to Taylor & Edwards, I only saw the Swansea pre-season game, however I thought they both look too lightweight and a bit anonymous, so don't think they're quite ready to be starters at this level, but hopefully they'll be good squad players.

[howser]

Hector was raved about up here in Scotland during his time at Aberdeen, playing central defence and full back on the odd occassion, now see him here in midfield where is his best position going to be ?

[Drew_3]

Thought we were bang average first half. Controlled the game well enough, rarely looked threatened, but offered zilch going forward. Taylor isn't a winger, and I'm sorry but I just can't get on board with the Edwards hype. He's tidy enough on the ball but has no presence and the difference Cox made was massively pronounced as a result. We didn't have any width either so yeah....all a bit dull but definitely didn't deserve to go in 1 down to an outclassed Wigan side.

The second half was the best 45 mins of the Adkins era imo. We played with tempo and purpose, closed them down mercilessly and attacked with verve and precision, especially with Guthrie and Cox on the pitch. Obita was excellent when moved to the left, and it gave Blackman more space to work his magic down the right. He looks a real player this season. Two good goals later and we're sauntering towards an excellent 3 points but then lo and behold a basic punt upfield drags Morrison out of position which leads to disaster when Pearce loses the header. Cue muted celebrations from an embarrassed home crowd. Unfortunate, but this should galvanise the squad to go on and have the good season they'll have if they keep this up.

Special mentions to Cox and Guthrie who changed the game. Cox played like the no. 10 we've been crying out for in his 30 mins. A gr8 signing if he continues like that. MOTM though goes to Hector who was imperious in midfield. Bossed a much vaunted Wigan line up.

In no way am I baiting you when I say I thought Hector was good last weekend and I know you weren't as impressed with his performance, therefore for you to say that about him this week he must have had a very good game.

[winchester_royal]

Yeah it's a fair point. I thought he looked completely out of position last week but this week I couldn't have been more impressed. Perhaps helped by the fact he wasn't playing alongside Akpan...

[St. Brynjar]

Cracking result, absolutely delighted with a point at Wigan.

[Ian Royal]

cheers for the reports peops.

Good to see Cox and Guthrie getting on the pitch.

What was the shape?

...................Federici
..Gunter, Pearce, Morrison, Cummings
.........Edwards, Hector, Obita
.....Blackman.................Taylor
.................Pogrebnyak

[Old Biscuitman]

These days I don't get to look on here very much. But a good and unexpected result on the first day of a new season I think, so thank you to all contributors on this thread. Cheered me by contrast with the miserable and inept remarks on the match day input.

[Norfolk Royal]

Just been reading all the tweets from the players. Very encouraging to see there seems to be a good morale developing in the group there, can mean a lot in terms of results.

[Esteban]

cheers for the reports peops.

Good to see Cox and Guthrie getting on the pitch.

What was the shape?

...................Federici
..Gunter, Pearce, Morrison, Cummings
.........Edwards, Hector, Obita
.....Blackman.................Taylor
.................Pogrebnyak

Looked to me as though Hector and Obita sat in front of the back four, with Edwards pushed forward centrally. Still 433 though.

Decent first half performance, good for the first 15 minutes, a bit patchy after that. Wigan looked a bit shell shocked at our energy and how high we pressed them, but after they scored, they grew into it more. Second half was a slow burner, but by the time Adkins made the changes (excellent subs today, he got it spot on), we had Wigan pinned back. Two good goals and then a goal out of nothing for Wigan.

Pearce and Morrison are solid Championship centre backs, but they don't work well as a partnership. Both of them need someone next to them who can organise, they can't seem to work it out for themselves. Whether we bring in Ferdinand or someone else, they need to be able to come in and do that well.

Overall a very encouraging performance. With players coming back and new signings on the way, we could have a very good season. As mentioned already though, we need a striker with good movement. Someone in the ilk of Nahki Wells would be ideal, although we won't get him.

[Mr.Swainey]

Missed most of the game as I was stuck on the M6!

But still arrived in time to see Cummings being lapse for the first Wigan goal, but redeeming himself with a decent display after that.

[LoyalRoyal22]

Wow. What a performance. Best i have seen under Adkins. Passing it out from the back, movement, pressing.. It was incredible. Not bothered we conceded a late goal, was just so happy with the performance. We actually looked like an Adkins team. So much energy, winning the second balls. Really glad Feds was put back in goal, made a massive difference. Blackman!! Looked some player today honestly. We were on top when Guthrie & Cox came on but they took us up another level. Jordan Obita looks like he has improved over the summer and was brilliant in midfield next to Hector before being moved out left. Taylor and Edwards were tidy on the ball but it was the energy that made the team tick.

Formation was 4-2-3-1

Federici- 7
Gunter- 7
Morrison- 7
Pearce- 7
Cummings- 7

Obita- 8
Hector- 8

Blackman- 8
Edwards- 6
Taylor- 6

Pog- 7

Guthrie/Cox- 7

[LoyalRoyal22]

Oh i also got stuck on M6 and missed the first 5/10 Minutes.

[genome]

The first 5/10 minutes were the worst I have seen under Adkins.

[Mr.Swainey]

Oh i also got stuck on M6 and missed the first 5/10 Minutes.

Terrible, wasn't it?

[LoyalRoyal22]

Oh i also got stuck on M6 and missed the first 5/10 Minutes.

Terrible, wasn't it?

So so bad, did you miss any of the game? i honestly considered driving on the hard shoulder. I did like 20 Miles in 2 hours.