Following a cup defeat against a lower league team, it’s easy to get downbeat. There have been several complaints levelled against the manager, players and club as a whole. I think the only one with validity is the one that bemoans the missed chances.
If you are never forward planning, then you will find that you are at some point caught out. We’ve all seen it in our own workplaces, a single guy, always does a certain job because on a daily basis he’s the best man for that job, he knows it better than anyone else, it’s his job. Others that would be capable, but never get chance to fill the position, because the boss isn’t prepared to think forwards and make sure he has cover. Today is the most important thing as tomorrows problems are not in your face yet, so he always prefers to stick the best man in there. It makes sure he knows he’s sorted in that position today. The problem is that when your top man leaves, you are screwed, because all those stress free days the boss had, they suddenly leave him with an inexperienced replacement that can’t just fill in, and a very stressful day.
We gave a guy a debut to 2 blokes that deserve it based on performances in the reserve league. Somewhere down the line Danny Redmond and Fraser Fyvie will benefit from that experience. The players that are what you would describe as fringe players in the first team, had a competitive run out, they will have gained a degree of sharpness from that alone, or if not Roberto will have gained that knowledge and know when not to use them. That was clearly a team with enough ability to beat the team in front of them, and easily at that. On Tuesday it just didn’t happen, accept it, it’s part of football. Managing a team involves selection decisions that affect the current game, the next game and even weeks and months into the future. As Roberto has previously stated, survival in the leage is of paramount importance, and therefore the cups is our opportunity to think longer term about our future.
On a short term basis I too want to progress in cups, but realistically 90 other clubs will be knocked out of the competition with us, To say we have not taken the competition seriously when we’ve put a team out easily strong enough to progress and at the same time put the future benefit of Wigan Athletic ahead of chasing a single cup tie is short sighted and simply wrong.
Paul Thorp
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
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