James McArthur netted his first goal for two years

A late, late resurgence from a generally tepid Latics wasn’t enough to make up for a weak first half as Tottenham chalked up another relatively comfortable three points at White Hart Lane. The hosts dominated much of the game, and by the time of Wigan’s pseudo-comeback in the final fifteen minutes, the match was effectively over as a contest but James McArthur’s 80th minute strike provided some consolation for Bob’s basement battlers.

Come 7pm, attention centred on the Wigan starting lineup amid rumours of a possible last-minute Hugo Rodallega exit. David Jones returned to the squad but had to settle for a place on the bench alongside the much-discussed Rodallega, who would possibly be used as an impact player later on. In a mainly defensive starting setup, Martinez’s packed the backline and looked to erect an impregnable wall which would at least provide a firm base from which to perhaps launch a late raid. Note that I said ‘looked to’ there, for things would be rather tough without the still-injured Antolin Alcaraz. Actually, it would have been an arduous task for the best of defences, let alone our own under-strength backline.

Following the trend established of late, it wasn’t a great first 45 minutes for Wigan, who were under pressure right from the off. Tottenham could have been two, maybe three ahead by the half hour but for the odd piece of Al Habsi excellence and superb McCarthy goal-line clearance. The Latics defence could not hold out for much longer, however, and the hosts finally took a well-earned lead as Latics finally crumbled to let Gareth Bale in for a simple goal at the back post bang on the half-hour mark. Just four minutes later, Tottenham doubled their lead through Modric to tighten their already solid grip on the game and leave Wigan with the proverbial Ben Nevis to scale.

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Mohamed Diame was the catalyst for a Wigan fightback

Hot on the heels of a miserable seven-day period which saw three defeats for Wigan, this week has been a bit more positive. News that Hugo Rodallega will not be out for as long as was first feared is a massive boost as, while the Colombian won’t be available for at least a month, we should see his return long before that mental Christmas period. Well, it’s always crazy around that time of year and we shall need all the bodies we can muster.

In slightly more bizarre news, the Evening Post has reported that “dozens of footballs” were pilfered from Christopher Park, leaving the Latics lads to play training games with invisible balls. It’s been a rip-roaring success, as Conor Sammon has never scored so many goals in a single two-hour kickabout session. Kind-hearted locals have donated spare socks to be rolled up and covered in newspaper as replacements, while Robin Park Tennis Club have also given eight tennis balls to be used while the search for the ball thieves continues. Our ball skill hasn’t necessarily improved, but five members of the squad have been granted places on the ATP tour. “I’m already ranked British #8,” boasted Ben Watson of his Wimbledon chances.

Despite equipment setbacks and a less than full-strength backline, a week’s rest will have improved confidence somewhat. After all, when you’re getting hammered, the best thing to do is completely put it out of your mind by doing nothing, right? I’m no psychological expert, but watching telly and eating pork scratchings certainly makes me feel better. Sometimes.

In the continued absence of Antolin Alcaraz and Emmerson Boyce, it was pleasing for Steve Gohouri to be deemed fit enough for his first start of the season. Patrick van Aanholt retained the left back slot, while Diame returned to his just-behind-the-attackers position. I would call it a traditional number 10′s role, but I don’t know if MoMo is quite up to that tag just yet. Maloney and Sammon deputised on the bench, ready to pounce should Martinez require a second centre forward at any point during the game.

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Heurelho Gomes denied Conor Sammon and Tom Cleverley in the second half

This game, according to John Toner of 101greatgoals, represented a “unique opportunity” for the Latics. Spurs, no doubt with half an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League bout with European heavyweights Real Madrid, travelled to Wigan with just two fit central defenders and a damage limitation mentality to ensure no more injury worries ahead of their huge midweek encounter.

For Latics, *this* was the big game. Forget nights out on the continent, this is the real deal; Blackpool, Everton and the odd trip to London await Bob’s relegation battlers, and each is a must-win. Not many outside the borough would give Latics a chance, but then we’re well used to that under Martinez. Fans were more expectant ahead of today’s game, and as it happened they had every right to be.

It wasn’t all positive for Wigan, however. It seems we’re all too comfortable on the ball but unable to find that killer punch in the final third, even with Sammon and Di Santo having a go at some point in the 94 minutes of play this afternoon. If the league was won on draws alone, Wigan would be up there with the best of ‘em, keeping the ball and waiting for the perfect pass like no other. Until Sepp Blatter awards an extra point for a clean sheet, however, Latics will continue to struggle.

The midfield dominance is there, but it’s all too obvious we’re missing a proper goalscorer with that forward-thinking instinct. Sure, Charles N’Zogbia can do that, as can Cleverley on his day. They’re midfielders at heart, however, very good at distribution and beating the man, but it’s unreasonable to put pressure on them to score goals. Passes don’t win games, goals do.

Don’t get me wrong, today was a relatively good day, a solid performance missing only the odd goal that would turn us from an average/poor team to a half decent one. Martinez is keen to stress how the players are the ones that win games, not him. I presume he means guys like Boselli and Di Santo, big money strikers brought in to score the goals, but for one reason or other they can’t. Whether it be through lack of skill or the wrong tactics, it can’t be denied we’re missing one vital element crucial to any football team, and that’s the ability to actually score. In that respect, you’d say we have a handicap on all other teams battling for their Premier League lives.

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Peter Crouch looked slightly off-colour, and was replaced by Pavlyuchenko at half time

Just when we really needed it, how’s about that for a Latics ‘dream week’? I don’t recall back-to-back wins under Martinez since the last time Halley’s Comet was visible from Earth to the naked eye.

Actually, it was January, but it seems like far, far longer – after all, we’ve conceded a whole raft of goals and more than a modicum of frustration since.

By contrast, it seems like only yesterday that Latics were taking an absolute spanking at the hands of today’s opponents.

You’ve got the mainstream media to thank for that, because if it were up to me I’d have subjected anyone who ever even so much as mentioned WhiteHartLaneGate to the pleasure of having a large horse leave a nice pressie on their front lawn. I’m not talking about an XBOX with FIFA 10 here, and you know it (though certain PES fans may strongly disagree).

Oh how the boot was on the other foot this afternoon. Tottenham showed none of the attacking threat of that fateful evening in November, the likes of Lennon and Defoe a mere shadow of their former selves. Add to the mix an on-song goalkeeper full of confidence off the back of a clean sheet in a three-nil victory on Tuesday (and yet to concede a competitive goal this season), some resolute Latics defence and you have one large upset with which the press can have a field day. At least until Man United pasted West Ham later in the afternoon.

Ali Al-Habsi was certainly the stand out performer of the afternoon, pulling off a number of highly important saves to keep Latics’ clean sheet intact for the duration of the game. It was somewhat lucky considering Younes Kaboul”s wonderful 86th minute opportunity, perhaps the only occasion when the Omani looked more than a little suspect as he rushed off his line.

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