Vital Latics Half Time Report

Its time for the annual Vital Latics mid season report on the team.

This report is the first since Roberto took over as manager, with his refreshing desire to play open attacking football and to secure Europaen football for Wigan Athletic within three years.

It hasn`t been the easiest start for Martinez with accusations of tactical naivety and a squad thin on numbers and on quality .


This review isn`t about Martinez however, its about the players paid week in week out to deliver the goods and whether they have achieved their aims and fulfilled our expectations .

Star Man

Charles N`Zogbia? predominantly played out of position on the right wing, the diminutive Frenchman has won a multitude of man of the match awards as Wigan`s most potent and sometimes only creative player.
What is worrying however was his reaction to being substituted on Wednesday and his comments about being happy with a move away during this transfer window. A player we can ill afford to lose.

Good

Maynor Figueroa? Another player linked with a move away in the window and following his wonder goal at Stoke his transfer fee must have increased. Part of an excellent defence last season which has let in more goals in half a season than in a full season last time around, Figueroa has been the only defender to emerge with any credit so far.

Hugo Rodallega? another player often played out of position on the right wing, Hugo has sill managed to score seven goals and is our most potent attacking threat. Looks isolate when playing up front on his own in the 4-5-1/4-3-3 formations favoured by Martinez.

Mohammed Diame? Momo has been undoubtedly the best of Martinez`s summer signings adapting to the rigours of Premier League football quicker than most. Needs more support in midfield from the other players.

Paul Scharner? one of the few players who actually wears his heart on his sleeve and looks like the result means something to him. Out of contract at the end of the season the versatile Austrian has done enough to earn himself a new contract and in my opinion the captains armband.

Average

Chris Kirkland? Chris` back problems are well documented and he looks a shadow of the keeper that performed so well last season with an increasing unpredictability with crosses/corners which has seen him responsible for conceding a few goals recently. Still a good shot stopper but needs to find his best form quickly.

Titus Bramble? Last season`s player of the year standards have slipped with him often looking off the pace and errors have crept back into his game. The goals conceded column doesn`t` lie.

Emerson Boyce? Seems to have been found out this season with a lack of pace this season but never stops trying and this commitment has seem him accrue three goals.

Hendry Thomas? started well but his performances have tailed off recently. Needs to re-discover his early season form.

Jason Scotland? Hasn`t scored and in all honesty doesn`t look like breaking his duck but he is working hard and is looking like an adequate link player for Rodallega. His lack of pace and ability in the air is a cause for concern.

Poor

Mario Melchiot? Was superb two season`s ago, average last season and poor this. As captain he has been anonymous and appears to be providing very little leadership during the game. Out of contract at the end of the season and very few expect him to be offered a contract renewal.

Erik Edman? Worked so hard to get back to match fitness but was absolutely hammered following the 9 – 1 defeat at Spurs. Expected to be moved on during the transfer window.

Won Hee Cho? Lacks match fitness and was reduced to chasing shadows in the 5-0 defeat at Man United.

Jordi Gomez? Has the skills but lacks the pace and vision at this level. Has looked better the last couple of games when shunted onto the wing where he appears to have more time on the ball.

Scott Sinclair? Has not shone in his cameo performances and should have been pushing for a starting role by now.

Mike Pollitt? Is showing his age when he plays.

James Mc Carthy? Arrived at the club with a biog wrap but has shown no sign of pushing for a first team place. One for the future.

Overall a mixed bag of performances, some of these players have the ability to become good Premier League players , its down to the management team to get the best out of them.