Wigan Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol City but showed a lot of promise as we maintained our unbeaten start.
1) Glass half full!
Latics have started the season with 3 consecutive draws and that can be taken one of two ways. Pessimists could say we’re 3 games without a win but I’m looking at this as 3 games unbeaten in a new division. In all 3 games we’ve shown that we belong at this level and arguably should’ve come away with more points than we do. Our start should fill everyone with lots of confidence and once we start taking our chances we should start accumulating points and wins.
2) ‘We’ve got Aasgaard, Thelo Aasgaard…’
Leam Richardson’s decision to introduce our Norwegian wonderkid at half time proved a stroke of genius. The 20 year old came on for Joe Bennett and treated Latics fans to a 45 minute cameo that has left everyone wanting more. His technical ability is second to none and he looks to have bulked up in the off season to ensure the ‘physicality’ question can’t be raised around him, the lad seems to have it all. I understand we can’t start him all the time but for me he HAS to feature regularly,
3) A feisty affair!
If there’s one thing you cannot doubt about this Wigan side it’s that we’ll always put up a fight. Yesterday was no different, and in fairness to our opponents Bristol City they came and gave as good as they got. We got lucky when Joe Bennett’s daft kick out on Joe Williams was punished with a yellow card but the rest of our aggression was controlled and necessary. Joe Williams returned to the DW and was warmly welcomed by James McClean and the pair enjoyed verbal spouts both in and post game. Keep an eye out for that in the reverse fixture…
4) The xG Champions!
3 games into the season and we’ve already racked up an expected goals tally of 5.84, 0.93 more than any other team. The problem is we’ve only netted twice but logic suggests sooner or later we’ll start making our chances count, particularly with the quality attacking signings we’ve made this week. We’re creating good quality chances too rather than taking tonnes of shots so hopefully we’ll be rewarded with goals sooner rather than later.
5) A few idiots spoil things…
After the game yesterday some disturbing news surfaced on social media. James McClean confirmed that he had been the victim of persistent sectarian abuse from a few people watching on from the West Stand. McClean, an undisputed Wigan Athletic legend and a man who ‘gets’ the club better than most, has suffered abuse from away fans in pretty much every game he’s played since re-joining, but for the abuse to come from the home end is shocking. Whether or not those involved class themselves as Wigan fans is unknown but whoever they are should receive a punishment equal to their pathetic and foul offence.
The club have reportedly already begun an investigation.
Talking Wigan 