Shocker – Norwich 2-1 Latics

Norwich away appears to have been one game too far for the Latics make shift defence, misplaced passes, weak challenges, poor positional sense and no one commanding the ball, all contributed to what was possibly the worst performance of the season so far

Norwich went in front on 15 minutes when Anthony Pilkington smashed the ball passed Al Habsi at his near post, Boyce had contrived to lose the ball in midfield when he just wasn`t strong enough, former Huddersfield winger Pilkington made no mistake with the finish

Poor defending throughout the team allowed Norwich to create several chances, comical finishing and good reflex saves somehow kept the Latics in a game that they had no right to still be in contention for

Half-time brought two changes as Martinez tried to influence proceedings, the out of sorts Gomez was replaced by Maloney and the injured McCarthy by Jones. The big surprise was that the anonymous Boselli was still on the pitch, still being anonymous, how much did he cost?

The introduction of Maloney brought a spark to the team that had been sadly missing for the first 45 minutes, the little play maker being involved in everything that the Latics were now doing, hopes of a comeback were complete when, following great work by Kone, Maloney smashed a delightful half volley home from the edge of the box with the outside of his right foot

Unfortunately, despite being on top, Norwich were soon back in front

Latics were awarded a throw-in level with the Norwich box, Beausejour was adjudged to have committed a foul throw, professional footballer! Norwich quickly took the throw, the ball ended up on the Latics right, Pilkington teased Boyce before crossing, Wes Hoolahan, all 5` 4″ of him, leapt between Lopez and Figueroa to plant a header beyond Al Habsi, game over

Latics finished the game with ten men as defender Adrian Lopez was carried off the pitch on a stretcher adding to more injury woe. McCarthy and Lopez joining the casualties at the DW Stadium is now turning the situation way beyond a joke
Teams
Norwich – Bunn, Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Garrido, Pilkington (Bennett 90), Johnson, Snodgrass, Hoolahan (Howson 84), Holt (Morison 90)
Subs – not used Rudd, R. Martin, Howson, Jackson, Barnett

Latics – Al Habsi, Kone, McCarthy (Jones 45), Gomez (Maloney 45), McArthur, Boyce, Boselli (Di Santo 72), Beausejour, Stam, Lopez, Figueroa
Subs not used – Pollitt, McManaman, Fyvie Golobart