A Latics performnce that was full of effort but ultimatley lacking in attacking prowess, saw Latics fall to another defeat.
Martinez made two changes from the personnel that started against Man United,Kirkland was replaced by Pollitt due to injury and Koumas dropped to the bench to be replaced by Boyce.
This necessitated positional changes, with many of the sparse Latics following expecting Scharner to play in midfield. One thing about Martinez is, that he will never be predictable and Scharner started the game as a lone forward with Rodellaga on the left wing.
Latics struggled to provide sustained attacking moves but looked solid at the back with Boyce and espicially Bramble, cleaning up all the Everton breaks.
Midfield once again looked vulnerable to the oppostion, which wasn’t helped by the referee Mr Probert penalising Latics at seemingly every tackle. Diame was particulary clumsy with his tackling and it was a relief when he was substituted before he was sent off.
Scharner looked a threat going forward and worked tirelessly covering back when Latics were under pressure, with Cahill the main protagonist. The tiny Australian was everwhere and tested Pollitt who saved well.
Rodwell also forced Pollitt into a fine save when the ball was heading for the top corner.
At the other end Latics were left to trying to create things from set pieces but didn’t trouble Howard in the home goal.
Scotland replaced Diame to play the lone striker role, with Scharner dropping back into midfield. Scotland had few chances to shine but when he did he was easily dispossessed.
Half time brought an enthusiastic round of applause from the travelling fans for a performnce short on chances but high on commitment.
The second half was a far more open affair, with both sides searching for a goal. WIgan were under the cosh for most of the half but dealt with Everton’s attacking playa and looked to counter attack.
The opening goal came as a result of oen such counter attack. N’ Zogbia broke on the right and crossed into the area which Scharner met with a low header.
Gomez should have made it two a minute later but his fierce shot hit the post with Howard beaten.
Latics lead was short lived as within five minutes, Saha rose to meet a corner and headed past the static Pollitt.
The game ebbed and followed with Latics replacing the limping Thomas and the isolated Rodellaga with Cho and Sinclair
Latics covered every blade of grass in defence, throwing themselves in front of every ball and should have taken the lead again when Sinclair broke out of defence and with only the keeper to beat and other Latics players in support, fired directly at the keeper.
This missed chance was to prvoe costly, when Jo was felled in the area by Boyce and Baines blasted the resultant penalty straight down the centre, to win the game for Everton.
This was cruel for a Wigan side that tried so hard but once again, created very little going forward and who really need a quality forward before the transfer deadline.
Player Ratings
Mike Pollitt…5/10
A coupel fo good saves but looked poor with crosses
Mario Melchiot…7/10
Mario threw himself at every ball and didn’t deserve to be on the loosing side
Emerson Boyce…7/10
Played well but couldn’t argue with the penalty decision
Titus Bramble…8/10
A superb performacne and back to his best
Maynor Figueroa..7/10
If he does want to move we need to talk him out of it fast
Mohammed Diame…4/10
Taken off before he was sent off. Kicked everything bar the ball.
Hendry Thomas…6/10
Looks to have promise but needs more experienced players around him
Charles N’Zogbia…5/10
Provided the cross for the goal but too often his passes went astray
Jordi Gomez…5/10
Didnt assert himself again
Hugo Rodellaga…6/10
Wasted on the wing
Paul Scharner…7/10
Gave everything for the cause
Jason Scotland…5/10
Looked out of his depth
Cho Won Hee…5/10
Ran around a lot
Wasted a glorious chance
Manager Rating
Roberto Martinez…6/10
Credit for realising that playing the ball out of defence isn’t working but persevering with one forwrd and placing the best forward in the club on the left wing was a bit barmy
Lee Probert…3/10
A very uneven performance, penalty was the correct decision but he awarded so many free kicks agaisnt Wigan which were unfair
The fans…
A very small travelling support today witnessed a much improved performnce from a team that is still learning and is limited in attack.
I thought N’Zogbia did well today and that playing the ball out of defence is far better than punting it up field to the opposition back four…agree with referee, he must be the worst in the Premier League….Bramble had a solid game but Scharner had his best game for an age
I thought that back four was the best part of the team but made some very silly fouls. There was hugo rodallega didnt do anything there was barley any attacking force from wigan. Which is why the defense stood out. Man of the match shcharner and whole back four
When Wigan decided to kick the ball and not our players in the second half it was actually a decent game. Have to laugh at Martinez saying in the week he wants to play attractive football, and then spending the entire first half kicking lumps out of us and long ball after long ball. I can’t see how you can criticise the ref, it’s truly ridiculous you ended that game with 11 men.
shokin result!!!!1
Well Mike, funny how we see it different here. I was at the game and half the time we won the ball with decent hard tackles . If we didn’t your players went down like girls. Ref was always on your side and must have had bets on you to win.
It’s a mans game for Gods sake. Stop moaning.