Match report by Ross Coyne
For only the 3rd time in 24 games and the 6th time all season, the real Latics failed to score in this worrying 1-0 defeat. Worrying, because it showed plenty of the reasons why Oldham Athletic will still be participating in the 2nd division come this August. Although a point was more deserved here than at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night, the fundamental facts are that we are still leaking silly goals, we have begun to dry up with goals (from our current rate of scoring) and most worrying of all, we actually are beginning to look void of ideas at times.
Why are we not playing to our strengths any more? Why aren't Eyres and Armstrong ripping up the left wings like they use to? Why is the middle looking saturated with Appleby, Baudet, D.Sheridan, Murray, Duxbury and now, Eyres all fitting in down the middle channel? And why are we beginning to relinquish the passing game, for a more direct approach? Only when the ball was on the floor at the JJB, did the Latics look like making some headway against the pie-eaters, so why did we spend a great deal of the first 45 minutes, hoofing it up to Smart and Corazzin. Personally, I felt sorry for the forwards for having to deal with that. And only one shot on-target in the first half says it all, especially when Smart was forever grafting for something and on occasions, winning corners when it looked as though the defender had the edge.
More frustrating than ever though was the referee's influence over the game. And it was one of those where ever little decision went against Oldham, but the big ones went for the Boundary Park boys. So how could we complain? I don't know but it was bloody frustrating. Wigan's Greene set the tone when Armstrong neatly ushered out a ball for a goal kick and the Wiganer ran off to the referee complaining over a completely fair challenge. From that point on, it was as though the referee's mind was set. Any shoves, pushes or heavy challenges from Oldham were penalised, but the same from Wigan was allowed to go. More frustratingly, Smart got booked (I agree it was one) but the referee had originally walked away from his forearm-led challenge before being mobbed by three Wigan defenders. All that conspired to changing the ref's mind.
However, the big decisions saw the visitors get off lightly when they should have been penalised. With minutes remaining of a 1st half which had seen little happen in either penalty area, McCulloch was sent sprawling as his supporting leg was hacked away. The referee must have been the only man in the stadium to miss it. Moments later, a less obvious shout for a penalty could also have been given, as Armstrong challenged for a ball but this time he may just have got a toe on it.
The 2nd half saw Oldham come out a bit brighter. The ball began to be moved around better, but Appleby and Darren Sheridan struggled in a tough midfield battle. Baudet even made errors, someone who has looked very accomplished on the ball of late and even late additions of Duxbury and Colusso couldn't see the midfield ever dominate. But then again, it wasn't allowed to as the midfield was often by-passed and as Smart and Corazzin failed to keep the ball up front, the midfield was always asked to do more defending than attacking.
Eventually though, chances came for both sides. Early in the 2nd half, the Oldham boys broke and on 53, Corazzin was threaded in with just Filan in his way. Having to turn to get a clear shot at goal, this allowed Filan to rush out and narrow the Canadian's aim. His thrashed effort came back off the Australian's chest and ran loose to Darren Sheridan, but as he struggled to get the ball under control, McMillan cleared his tame effort off the line.
The Oldham Latics were beginning to enjoy the counter attack now, but still the wings never really became utilised. Corazzin and Smart began to work closer together though and Eyres was getting forward through the middle a bit more now. The chances were beginning to come, but as it often does, a killer blow rocked the visitors on the hour mark. A ball forward was flicked on by McCulloch allowing Liddell to run at Balmer and Berehall. In truth, Berehall should have stuck in a challenge but as he backed off and turned to try and cover an angle, Liddell found space to slot home between the defenders and under Kelly into the far corner. 0-1.
Immediately from the goal, Wigan became rampant as the Oldham defence began to look ragged. Creaking under the pressure, both de Vos and Kennedy could have added to Wigan's tally within the next 10 minutes. Kennedy was most guilty as he sent a glorious chance wide. However, gradually the visitors again began to settle and create, leading to a nervous finish for the home side.
The best chances fell to the real Latics' forwards as Corazzin and Smart both missed out on equalisers. After a neat incisive pass from Armstrong, Corazzin needed one touch to control and another to shoot past only the goalkeeper in his way. Unfortunately though, the Canadian international has been guilty of needing three touches to control a ball ever since he joined the club and this time his weakness allowed a defender in, to clear.
Seconds later, a deep cross saw Smart get to it just infront of Filan but the keeper had come out well and managed to easily grab the ball. Finally, a late Colusso chip at the death saw the ball whistle over, before the yes-man in black blew his own whistle.
The game was up and on this evidence, it might be for Oldham Athletic full stop. The side away from home is nothing compared to that at Boundary Park and that is because Wadsworth is tactically wrong on his coach journeys. We need the same winger system away from home as well as at home - fight fire with fire - not going to these grounds with the emphasis of squeezing the midfield and nicking something through long balls up the middle. The Latics are not good enough to do that. Armstrong and Clegg are so unprotected as full-backs with no wingers in front of them and the Latics are giving away silly points to the likes of your Peterborough's, Bury's and Wigan's. God knows what will happen in our remaining 3 away games (Reading, Huddersfield and Wycombe.) Unless Wadsworth gets himself a pair of balls and cuts out this rubbish midfield ploy to kill games, and fights attack with attack, the Latics will be entering April with nothing to play for. You mark my words!