Latics got back to winning ways this weekend with a hard fought 2-0 victory away at Rotherham United. Here are 5 things we learnt from the game…
1) The best away team in the league!
If only every match could be played away from home! Latics continued their remarkable form on the road with a fourth consecutive victory and remain unbeaten in away games this season. We’ve already picked up more points on the road (13) than we did in the entire 2018/19 season (11) and the travelling Tics, all 1700 of them, enjoyed yet another wonderful day out. The challenge for Leam’s side now is to bring these kind of positive performances to the DW Stadium.
2) Brave changes pay off!
It takes some self assurance as a manager to drop your best player of the season, and fair play to Leam Richardson it was a masterstroke. Graeme Shinnie has been wonderful all season but was replaced by Tom Naylor in the starting 11 yesterday, much to the surprise of many Latics fans. However, Naylor was excellent screening the back 4, helped deal with their set piece threat and was tidy in possession when he needed to be. To top it off he scored a late goal that sealed the victory in front of the away end, a good day all round.
3) Will Keane finds his feet!
As those of you that read my match previews will know I’ve questioned the performances of Will Keane at times this season. He’s had several games that seemed to pass him by but yesterday we saw Keano back to his brilliant best that we saw so often last season. Latics’ number 10 was so much more involved in open play, produced some wonderful flicks and interplay with our other forwards and bagged his first open play goal of the season with an emphatic finish. I’m happy he’s proven myself and many others wrong for doubting him, now its time to put in these kind of performances on a consistent basis.
4) ‘Ole ole, Ole ole’
Charlie Wyke Wyke Wyke! Latics’ heroic number 9 was back in the starting 11 for the first time in 11 months and looked as, if not more impressive than he did before his tragic cardiac arrest. Everyone knows what a tough time he’s been through which makes it even more incredible that he was able to put in as good a performance as he did yesterday. His assist for Keane’s goal was superb forward play and I believe the pair make each other so much better when they play together. The only thing missing was a goal, but that’ll come sooner rather than later if he keeps playing like that! Its so good to have him back isn’t it…
5) Some new chants cropping up…
Be honest, who’s still got that new Tendayi Darikwa chant stuck in their head? With 10 or so minutes to go a section of the away end broke into their own rendition of The Champs classic ‘Tequila’ but substituted in the name of club captain ‘Darikwa!’ It caught on and before long most of the travelling fans were joining in, albeit many weren’t quite sure on the tune! We’re not the best fanbase in the world at coming up with chants but this is a goodun and its now time to come up with a few chants for other players. Does anyone know a word that rhymes with Aasgaard?
Talking Wigan 
Great report, Great game, great to be there!
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