Wigan Athletic maintained their unbeaten away record with a hard fought victory over struggling Huddersfield Town. Here are 5 things we learnt from yesterday’s game!
1) At home away from home!
Latics fans will remember the 2018/19 season for many things but the 2 away wins ALL season definitely stand out in my mind. Well, after 4 away games this season we’ve already bettered that record with our 3rd consecutive win on the road in front of yet another 1k+ away end. For some reason we look so much better away from home and if we can match these performances when playing at the DW we’ll be absolutely fine this season.
2) The changes paid off!
In my match preview I explained why it was imperative that we moved away from the 5 at the back and started 4-2-3-1 from the off and well, I think yesterday showed exactly why. We looked far more productive in forward areas, the gaps between midfield and attack were considerably smaller and we still looked pretty solid for most of the game. It also suits the players we have and you could see players like Lang, Nyambe and Aasgaard all thrived when played in their favoured positions. I hope we continue with that system.
3) Graeme Shinnie is ACE!
It takes a lot to make Latics fans not notice the absence of Tom Naylor in our side, and it takes even more to improve on his work! However, Graeme Shinnie has arguably been our best player this season and after being dropped for the Luton game he returned to the starting 11 yesterday, and thank goodness he did. He was aggressive, reliable in possession (30/30 passes completed…) and defensively excellent against a good Huddersfield midfield. He’s one of the first names on the team sheet now and fair play to him for breaking into the side this early on!
4) Langy up and running!
I must admit, about 90 seconds before Callum Lang’s goal I was drafting a tweet saying that his wastefulness in front of goal was making his position in the starting 11 at risk. He missed a 1v1 in pretty hopeless fashion but made amends a few minutes later when he controlled a James McClean cross, turned on a sixpence and wrongfooted Lee Nicholls with a low shot. The hope now is that the shackles are off for Lang and he can play without having the lack of goals looming over him. The dive celebration wasn’t too bad either…
5) Boo James McClean = Lose the game…
It was always going to happen wasn’t it. Despite wearing a black armband and observing the minute silence for the Queen and the British national anthem with complete respect our Jimmy Mac was still given abuse from a large number of Huddersfield supporters. McClean’s present to the idiots that were booing him was a wonderful complete performance topped off by the assist for Lang’s winner, yet another example of him having the last laugh. He had his fun after the game and was well within his right to do so, but let the social media fume commence!
Talking Wigan 