The Latics went down 2-0 to La Liga side Real Mallorca at the DW Stadium yesterday in what was a very tame preseason friendly
New signing Iván Ramis took his place in the back three alongside Caldwell and Alcaraz and, if this first showing is anything to go by, we have ourselves a very good player
The first 35 minutes or so of the game belonged to the Latics, we controlled the midfield, McCarthy and Gomez in particular playing well, Maloney was buzzing about and Di Santo looked superb
Latics had a goal chalked off on 5 minutes, Beausejour pulled the ball back from the deadball line and fired across goal, Di Santo stormed in to crash the ball home, unfortunately though the assistant referee had his flagged raised, signalling that the ball had gone out of play before Beausejour had crossed
All eyes were on Ramis, he is a big man, looks commanding, solid, great first touch and can knock the ball with either foot. He looked composed throughout and considering this was his debut, albeit a friendly, he was very comfortable. Martinez took him off on 44 minutes and the crowd gave him a standing ovation
By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
With the scores level at half-time Latics made changes, Lopez had already come on for Ramis, now both Boselli and Stam were on for Di Santo and Boyce
Within a minute of the restart Mallorca were in front, Lopez made a hash of a clearance, the ball found its way to an offside looking Victor Casadesus who lashed a great strike passed Al Habsi from 16 yards
The expected response from the Latics never came, though Gomez had a great game, great passing, strong tackles, full of running and a tremendous 25 yard strike that nearly found its way passed Aouate in the Mallorca goal. Maloney also was busy and was involved all afternoon.
Mallorca went two up on 84 minutes, Victor Garcia stroked the ball home following a good cross from the right
Fraser Fyvie was introduced on 86 minutes for James McCarthy, no real time to forge an opinion but his firts touch looks good, and for a 19 year old he is solid!
Teams
Latics: Al Habsi, Boyce (Stam 45), Ramis (Lopez 45), Caldwell, Alcaraz, Beausejour, McCarthy (Fyvie 86), Gomez, Maloney, Moses, Di Santo (Boselli 45)
Unused Subs: Pollitt, Golobart, Redmond, Dicko
Mallorca: Aouate, Pina (Joao Victor 73), Lopez, Pereira (Alfaro 68), Nsue (Enric 77), Hemed (Alvaro 68), Marquez (Nicolas 84), Navarro, Nunes (Mari 44), Victor (Garcia 82), Bigas
Unused Subs: Mino
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Good first half, not so good 2nd
Was it Lopez who did that header back to nobody which resulted in the first goal? I thought it was McCarthy.
I thought it was Maloney?
Oh it might have been. My eyesight is terrible.