It was nice to actually be able to get to a game for a change, to sample the (very tense) atmosphere of the DW once more after a string of working Saturdays. The old camera, complete with new batteries, was brought out once more for some pre-game snaps from a decent viewpoint in the East Stand.

Hugo Rodallega had four clear cut chances for the hosts

It may have been a draw, but it certainly wasn’t a bore. Much like last season’s equivalent clash, neither team could claim to be at their best, but this bottom-of-the-table clash produced a relatively open game, at least in the second half.

Though tentative early on, things began to pick up around 20 minutes in as both Latics and Fulham ground out one decent chance each. For a long time, play plodded along at a low-key pace as both sides took their time feeling their way into the game. Things would spark into life, though, as Hugo Rodallega headed against the post and Damien Duff, one-on-one with Al Habsi, only succeeded in firing the ball against the Omani’s legs. I do Ali a disservice, actually, as he closed his man down well – in fact he did pretty much everything asked of him all afternoon and was something of an unsung hero, taking crosses with ease and very rarely spilling the ball.

It was in the second stanza, when Latics went 4-4-2(!), that the quality began to seep through. I’d go so far to say it was entertaining, certainly more so than the first, an open affair which could have seen either side steal the spoils.

For a long time, it looked as though Latics would win out. Another Wigan long ball from the back(!!) bounced quite nicely for Rodallega, who expertly chipped Stockdale from ten yards. It was true route one football, and for once it had actually worked for Martinez’s side. I’m not sure if he stuck to this tactic for the remainder of the game as at times Charles N’Zogbia seemed to be returning to the left wing role he struggled with in first 45.

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Not at the races: Ronnie Stam, just like his side, struggled off the mark

In the interests of keeping you awake long enough to even make it as far as the second paragraph, I’m going to start off by ‘doing a Bob’ and attempting to stick to the positives that came out of today’s game.

Nnnngh… well, I think that would actually be nigh on impossible, because this really was a totally forgettable game from Wigan’s point of view. In fact, many of those that made the arduous trip to London would struggle to remember if there even was a Latics match this afternoon, we were so ineffective. I suppose things have picked up a bit from our drubbing at the hands of Portsmouth this time last year, and on the whole I’d say we’re performing a bit better than we were at that point, but it isn’t much consolation.

Maybe the midweek cup tie against Swansea took its toll on Latics’ squad, whereas Fulham had a nice week of rest and relaxation, but that doesn’t account for our non-appearance at Craven Cottage. Yes, there was the odd sniff of an opportunity, but the long-distance shooting we favoured in the first 45 minutes was never really going to challenge Mark Schwarzer.

If Wigan struggled in the first half, they simply weren’t even present for the second. I suppose the majority of our troubles stemmed from lack of possession, which limited the potency of our attackers and put Alcaraz and Caldwell under too much pressure. In this sense, Fulham must be credited for their tight, man-to-man football (doing their homework well, then) which Wigan never adapted to at any stage, really. Roberto actually made a change or two to try and combat this, but it wasn’t much use when the midfield couldn’t string more than a couple of passes together, relegating Rodallega to a mere spectator in the second stanza.

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Scotland finally breaks his league duck

Things were looking so rosy at half time; Latics had just about edged proceedings thanks to a strike from Jason Scotland, his first in the league for Wigan and hopefully one of many — though the jury’s still out on that. I’m sure Wigan fans would have been much happier had the goal actually counted for something other than goal difference in the grand scheme of things, but still, nice to see a signing come good…

Scotland’s 34th minute strike came immediately after a good spell of possession for the visitors, who’d just gone close through Maynor Figueroa, this afternoon playing in a forward-thinking left wing role. Minutes later, the Trinidadian was set up by Moreno, who controlled an N’Zogbia pass nicely into his path.

There was an element of good fortune about the goal as keeper Mark Schwarzer seemed unsighted, and maybe should have done better. But still, we shan’t begrudge Jason this much sought-after strike – hopefully, now the floodgates will open and he’ll grab a hat trick against Portsmouth next week. Wishful thinking? Perhaps not.

You see, Martinez was somewhat forced into making changes to his regular playing style, resolving to pander to criticism — or perhaps necessity — and go 4-4-2 with Hugo Rodallega joining Scotland and Moreno up front from time to time. You know the drill: control the ball in the midfield area and look for the killer pass up to the front men. Scotland looks to have settled into his role well and, despite the fact it’s painfully evident he isn’t quite of the same calibre as Emile Heskey, did his job for the first 45 yesterday. Actually, I’m sure some Villa fans would beg to differ on that Heskey comment. Best to just leave it there.

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