Martinez has helped Latics avoid a 'relegation special'

Having just about recovered from the madness of Sunday’s epic Premier League finale, I sat down to properly read the latest edition of the Mudhutter Football Express yesterday evening. Jimmy‘s comedy-censored foreword made no secret of the fact this was meant to be a ‘relegation special’, quite obviously written some months in advance at a time when survival seemed but a pipe dream. Now that’s what I call ‘keeping the faith’! In all seriousness, though, I considered posting something similar here at JWAW: a celebration of Wigan’s seven years in the Premier League/Premiership/Premier Foods League through our most memorable matches.

Indeed, as few as ten weeks ago it all looked to be coming to an end. The five minute bell had already sounded and we hadn’t even finished our cucumber sandwiches in the pavilion dining room, let alone equipped pads and spikes. While myself and the MFE are left slightly egg-faced, it’s with delight we banish our misplaced resignation, for once again we sit in anticipation of another successive season in England’s top flight. As I repeatedly exclaimed in the aftermath of Shaun Maloney’s goal against Newcastle, just who would have credited it?

Events at the Etihad Stadium make me wish the Wigan-Wolves match was played on Saturday, the day before all that excitement unfolded, so I could follow the top-of-the-table soap opera in front of the telly. No matter how unfeasible such fiddling of the fixtures may sound, I feel as though I missed out on something special, the sheer craziness of the Premier League’s closest ever finish.

Not that I would have been anywhere other than the DW for our final game of the season which, had there been survival to contest, would of course have taken precedence over eating, sleeping and breathing (but not drinking). I don’t know, maybe we Latics supporters have become drama junkies thanks to season finales past – we seek to avoid those all-or-nothing one-shot playoffs, yet at the same time crave the emotion. I guess that’s entertainment for you.

Read the rest of this entry »

Roberto Martinez: tactical mastermind or lucky so-and-so?

If you reckoned nothing could top Wigan-West Ham, then the almost excruciating events of yesterday may well force you to rethink. It wasn’t a classic game of football by any means, and by pure footballing standards it was relatively tame in comparison. In football, however, context is everything, and you’d have been a fool to ignore the connotations of a Latics win.

Ultimately, the final day survival battle came down to quality of opposition – even though Blackpool and Birmingham put in the expected spirited performances, it is extremely difficult to go to a top-of-the-table club and snatch three points. Granted, on another, less crucial day, a draw would not have been out of the question for Birmingham in particular. They were unlucky to concede a superb effort late on, but their hands were forced by scorelines elsewhere. Sure, Tottenham dominated for large chunks of the game, but just like against us way back in August of last year, didn’t make that count. Birmingham almost seized their opportunity and can count themselves a tad unlucky that Blackburn weren’t quite the force in their second half against Wolves.

Of the relegated bosses, it is Alex McLeish I feel most sorry for. Avram Grant may be out of a job but he hasn’t overseen a four-year transformation of fortunes in quite the same way as the Scotsman. Besides, I’m sure he’ll be back, as will West Ham. Ian Holloway always knew he was up against it and the really hard stuff began in earnest after Christmas when wins for Blackpool were almost as rare as a Mauro Boselli shot on target. When things were looking ominous, it was unfortunate his attacking style of play came back to bite him in the bottom.

Post-game, McLeish looked absolutely devastated on Match of the Day, more so than Grant or Holloway, who took it all in his stride. When it really mattered, injuries to crucial players took their toll on Birmingham. The fantastic European-challenging season of 2009/10 (well, almost) must seem an awful long time ago now, but under McLeish there is always the chance of his side propelling itself back into the Prem at the first opportunity. They have the support and, I believe, the manager to do it.

Read the rest of this entry »

At 5pm on Sunday we were out of it, or at the very least toeing the very edge of a rather large crevice that leads to the Championship canyon. Thanks to a comeback the likes of which we haven’t seen for months (the last time Wigan came from 2-0 down to win was that game with Arsenal last year), Latics are back in with more than a sniff of survival.

Things could have been so much better had results gone our way on Saturday, which meant from then onwards we truly would be battling for our top-flight lives, but of course we can do nothing about other teams’ performances. Besides, the tide may well turn, with Latics arguably having slightly the easier task in terms of their opposition this coming Sunday. Here’s the skinny.

Premier League table

Bottom 6 as of 18 May 2011

*West Ham already relegated

Source: Premier League

Final day fixtures

(Sunday 22 May 2011, all 4.00pm kickoff)

• Stoke (LDWDWL) v Wigan (LWLDDW) [Live on Sky Sports Red Button]
  
• Man United (WDWLWD) v Blackpool (LLDDDW) [Live on Sky Sports 1]
• Tottenham (DDLDLW) v Birmingham (WLLDLL) [Live on Sky Sports 2]
• Wolves (LDLDWW) v Blackburn (DLLWDD)

Source: Football Association/BBC

I’ve included form guide information, but that doesn’t count for very much in a one-game all or nothing situation.

It’s no surprise that few have outlined all the permutations that surround these oh-so-critical fixtures. Whilst we aren’t going to attempt to explain everything that might happen, we shall focus on Latics and their potential for survival, at least where mathematics are concerned. We shall save pure footballing matters for another post, for this article shall serve to outline the (potentially gut-wrenching) technicalities of this final round of games.

Read the rest of this entry »