Brighter days are surely ahead at the DW Stadium

In this article, one shall refrain from dwelling too long on the negative aspects of this weekend’s demoralising defeat at the hands of Fulham (or, as that old football game used to call them, ‘Emptypig’). Instead, it is the purpose of today’s post to convince the Latics fan that it isn’t all as bad as you think. I am aware this is an almost impossible task, but shall nevertheless attempt to alleviate the reader’s anxieties regarding our favourite(?) football club as we look to the future and, with a bit of luck, happier times.

Much has been made of Roberto’s supposed ‘stubbornness’ with regard to tactics, in particular his formations. He has drawn criticism, especially in the previous three months, for his “inflexibility” and seemingly unwavering advocacy of 4-5-1. It is indeed true that this is his favoured configuration, but it must be noted that we witnessed elements of 4-3-3, most notably when Latics were attacking, and 4-4-2, when Franco Di Santo was drafted into the fray. The latter failed for the lack of an Albert Crusat who, ironically, was withdrawn in favour of the Argentine. On the evidence of this, I’d be happy to stick to 4-5-1 (or, to be more positive, 4-3-3), thanks.

Besides, I’m becoming increasingly convinced the starting XI that donned the Latics shirts at 3pm on Saturday is our strongest. One might claim it’s a sad state of affairs when your so-called best lineup is struggling at both ends of the pitch, but the fact remains that we’re lumbered with them for at least a couple of months. It is imperative for Roberto, and the club’s fans, to show some faith in our search for consistency. Whilst I’m sure Bob and indeed the vast majority of Latic fanatics are more than aware of our failings, it can’t be denied we’re also going through a bad run of form, at least collectively.

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Keeping it together: Strength in consistency, or squad rotation?

One criticism often levelled at Roberto Martinez is the ‘fact’ he doesn’t ‘change things up’ enough. Based on results, I’m often inclined to agree with them but like him or not –and that indeed seems to be central to both sides of this argument–, Our Bob does show at least a degree of flexibility. He will, for example, go three or four up front should the need arise; we’ve seen Conor Sammon and Shaun Maloney get 15-20 minutes worth of action at the end of a contest to try and grab a late goal. He is not afraid of switching to three at the back, as evidenced against Tottenham after Steve Gohouri received a red card, in an attempt to make some sort of real impact. As in, scoring goals.

We’ve seen during his tenure that Roberto will make proper, attacking substitutions and tactical changes with mixed success. Sometimes they work, as evidenced in ‘that game‘ with Arsenal. More often that not, though, we’re left stranded at the back and looking like Manchester United in those final 10 minutes against Man City yesterday. In other words, completely open and inviting the opposition to score goals for fun like at White Hart Lane or (all to often) at Old Trafford.

It isn’t the all-or-nothing, last-gasp stampedes forward I’m talking of, however. It’s the staple starting lineups we see at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon (or 1.30 on a Sunday, or 7.45 on a Tuesday, or… whatever). Should we bite the bullet and revert to the classical 4-4-2 with two centre forwards as many are clamouring for us to? Should we bypass the midfield keepball and go straight to the attackers? Well, one need look no further than Saturday afternoon at St James Park for evidence, when both tactics were employed at one point or other with the same XI that graced the pitch at kickoff. Yes.

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"I think Di Santo should buy a lottery ticket tonight" -- Neil Warnock

Having had a rare chance to review Saturday’s game on that idiot box thing Peter Kay calls television, there are a few things I must mention in addition to that afternoon’s post. Taking into account both my own blatant bias and the BBC’s need to produce ‘entertaining’ television (impartiality, who needs it?), we ought to meet somewhere in the middle and produce a completely false impression of events this weekend. That’s blogs/the mainstream media for you, but I’d best cut the carp and get on with things or I might be accused of Daily Mail-esque hackery.

It was one of those games from which Wigan could easily have come away with no points – the contests you deserve to win on balance, but don’t due to lack of a finishing touch. Queens Park Rangers –and their fans for that matter– gave an extremely good account of themselves and were unlucky not to have scored. But for half an inch and the odd deflection going their way, the visitors might have had something more to cheer about. Of course, they were guilty of wayward shooting in those last ten minutes, but two solid saves from Al Habsi during that period preserved Wigan’s clean sheet wonderfully. What Match of the Day failed to show was an incident that could so easily have led to a penalty for the visitors, but the Omani just managed to palm the ball out for a corner before felling the advancing attacker.

Referee ‘Not Jamie’ Oliver wasn’t all that eager to produce cards in what wasn’t really a dirty contest, but did book both Latics central defenders before the game was over. Nothing much new there, you might think, and you’d be right. If we continue in this vein, I foresee some possible defensive problems further down the line, so it may be wise for Martinez to bring in a defender before the transfer window closes on Wednesday night. Indeed, he has alluded to this more than once over the weekend, but is understandably keeping schtum on exactly who Latics are chasing. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time we had a player stolen from right under our nose at the last minute.

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The League Trophy adorned with Latics ribbons. Well, not really. (Credit: Angelo Romano)

Tomorrow afternoon, Latics will find out who they shall face in the Carling Cup Third Round, should they manage to beat Crystal Palace on 13 September. But who gives a monkey’s? Certainly not QPR’s Neil Warnock, who this week rubbished the English League Cup after his side were sent crashing out of the competition by League One side Rochdale.

I can fully understand why Warnock would make such comments. The pivotal Bradley Orr, who limped off with a groin injury on the half hour mark, will certainly not play against us this weekend, and may be out for a while longer. Latics faced a (quite) similar situation last year, when a Carling Cup match saw Victor Moses sustain a 38th minute injury from which he never fully recovered until the latter stages of the season. Admittedly, that was in the Quarter Final, and Wigan were actually in with a half decent shout of winning the thing outright if they had won the tie, but it’s a similar principle. The Premier League’s the thing, and for those battling to stay in it, it is easy to assume the view that everything else is an unwanted distraction.

Of course, there are plenty out there that treat the Carling Cup with a modicum of respect. Rochdale, for one, will be pretty pleased at this moment in time, as will Brighton, MK Dons, Shrewsbury Town and Aldershot, who all felled giants to reach the Third Round. Roberto Martinez is another fan, no doubt grateful of the chance to blood some bench-warmers and fringe team players. Of course, he wasn’t afforded that chance this week, and Latics’ wider squad will be all the worse for it.

But then, I suppose many Premier League bosses are secretly pleased to be dumped out of the Carling Cup. Those at the very top have Champions League ties to consider, and fixture congestion can be a real problem – just ask Alex Ferguson. Even the mid-table sides have bigger fish to fry –Stoke and Fulham are currently embroiled in arduous Europa Cup campaigns–, and can view the League Cup as a mere midweek kickabout in comparison.

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