Overall, a hugely disappointing performance. I think without attending the game it would be easy to perceive it as simply being outplayed by a better side. Whilst Wigan are undoubtedly a strong side, we caused far more problems for ourselves than they managed in 90 minutes. I didn't go to Donny and so went to last nights game with a bit of optimism and the selection (at least on paper) looked positive. However, it didn't prove to be the case. Woods and Frimpong sat very deep in front of the centre backs. Wigan did an excellent job of pressing but in particular Woods took the 'safe option' on so many occasions that any chance of a counter attack or any momentum soon fizzled out as the ball found it's way back to the full back, then centre back and precariously to Luke Steele in goal. Jennings and O'Brien spent a great deal of the match on defensive duty and offered little threat going forward. One thing I've noticed since Danny has taken over is that we don't press the opposition full backs, at any time. This can only be a deliberate ploy. And there's an obvious benefit to that, for the first 25 mins or so Wigan had little option but to play a more direct ball to the forwards than they would wish to and bypass the midfield. Ramage and Crainie dealt with this well and were solid throughout. However, when Wigan did start to get a grip in midfield we couldn't handle them. McClean caused what looked to me like a half fit McLaughlin all sorts of problems and McEachran showed much more quality and positivity than either Woods or Frimpong. I'm reluctant to write off a player early on but I don't really understand what Woods offers us. He's not strong in the tackle, easily brushed off (particularly for the first goal) Clearly he has some technical ability but at no point did he take a chance and either put a man out of the game or attempt a pass other than a safe one back to his full back. Yes, he was being pressed but it wasn't until the introduction of Paddy that they started to back off, realising they were up against someone who could hurt them and we started controlling the midfield. I need to see more of Frimpong to judge but there is a question mark over his attitude. He never appeared like he was really putting in a shift. Perhaps it's his style and I'm aware that an all action style can often translate as wasted energy (Dawson?) Does the easy stuff well and looks comfortable in position but again, never took a chance, dropped a shoulder or attempted to anything other than the easy thing. My 13 year old self would hate me for saying this but I think Danny was a bit negative. Not so much in his selection but more so his instructions. Also, I don't quite get the O'Grady substitution (unless he was carrying a knock?) Nick Ze German is a constant goal threat but a solitary striker he is not. Perhaps I'm being overly critical, we'll play far worse sides until the end of the season. But I would expect far better performances from all concerned if we're going to stand a chance of staying up. Oh and play Paddy for God's sake. You long winded ranting reds.
I agree and re-state what I have said already that in the first half the success Wigan had down the Barnsley right before the first goal was a warning that went unheeded. No attempt was made to help O'Brein and McLaughlin and then the inevitable happened, Wigan scored and scored again. Paddy made a difference coming on. I realise playing paddy will not always pay dividends put I think if you don't play him you have less chance of winning over a season. Up the reds!
I can accept defeat if the other team are better, I can accept defeat if we are a rank bad team, as in the 60's what I find hard to accept losing when, apart from 2 or 3 players, there is a complete lack of fight for the cause, the club and the fans. There is certainly something very amiss at Oakwell you only have to look at the reaction to a last minute equaliser on Saturday, hardly any congrats shown on the video to Prosvitch when you would have expected every player diving on top of him in relief as much as anything.
I think that players like McLaughlin playing through injury (albeit not very successfully) demonstrates that the spirits there. We lost to a better team last night. We are low on confidence and it does seem that the players are finding it hard to shake off the legacy of Hillcroft where players were picked or not picked for reasons that had nowt to do with ability.
I'm not sure much has happened that would make you believe that anything has changed on that front. The only person who can shake off that legacy is Wilson, I would have thought.
