Latics had enough opportunities in the opening 20 minutes of this game to be out of sight, the fact that they didn`t take one in the first 20 or the following 100 minutes is the reason why Bradford went through to the quarter finals
League 2 opposition at home should never be taken lightly, I’m not saying we did, but nine changes to the team that started the weekend game against West Ham suggests the club didn’t think Bradford would cause too many problems, especially considering Ben Watson was in the centre of defence.
The first 20 minutes and it all looked a little too easy for the Latics, Ramis scored only for it to be chalked off for off-side, Gomez, Boselli and McManaman all had efforts and the Latics kept the ball at will, then we appeared to run out of ideas and steam. It all became a little too predictable and slow paced.
Just before the half time whistle Duke in the Bradford goal pulled off an amazing save to stop Gomez giving the Latics the lead. The second half was much the same as the first only in reverse, we started off slowly, but then Maloney and Beausejour were introduced for the final 20 minutes of the half and we had a spark about us again
Bradford defended resolutely, Duke was magnificent, their only attempt of note that I can recall was by ex-West Ham winger Hines who brought a fine stop from Ali
Extra time came and went, Gomez had a great chance one on one but put the ball just the wrong side of the far post, then it was the dreaded penalties
The two Latics men you’d put your house on scoring were the ones who didn’t, Maloney and Gomez, the Bradford penalties were smashed home and they went through. More a case of missed chances than anything else, but a great opportunity to progress in a cup competition gone for another season
Teams
Latics Al Habsi, Jones, Watson, Gomez, McManaman, Boselli, Fyvie, Ramis (Capt), Stam, Lopez, Redmond
Subs: Pollitt, Kone, Maloney, Beausejour, Golobart, Kiernan, Orsula
Bradford City Duke, Meredith, Darby, Hanson, Thompson, Atkinson, McHugh, Hines, Wells, McArdle, Doyle (Capt).
Subs: McLaughlin, Connell, G. Jones, Baker, Brown, Bass, Swain.
The latest PWU Podcast is now available, this week’s was recorded live on location at the DW Stadium on Tuesday night before, during and after the Capital One Cup tie against Bradford City.
The mood amongst the lads goes from certainty, to one of optimism and then despair as the Latics are knocked out on penalties.
The West Ham game from last weekend is reviewed for the first three minutes, then it’s on to the cup tie, as the game unfolds the frustration and disappointment is there for all to witness, the Spurs preview comes in on minutes
The podcast is available for download from iTunes, our hosting site www.buzzsprout.com or you can click play on the player below to listen from here
As always feedback is welcome, plus if you want to get involved in the podcast please contact us here at Vital Latics wigan@vitalfootball.co.uk , mark your email Podcast
Well done Bradford