Four-star Latics silence the critics – Bristol Rovers 0 Wigan Athletic 4

09/14/2024 02:26 PM

• Wigan Athletic produced an emphatic display to silence their critics as they defeated Bristol Rovers 4-0 at the Memorial Ground.
• Latics went ahead after 20 minutes when Joe Hugill poked home Luke Chambers corner from close range and the Manchester United loanee added his second goal on 40 minutes when he produced a similar close range finish.
• Latics could easily have been four up at the break with returning midfielder Jensen Weir twice going close.
• The visitors continued their dominance in the second half and added a third goal on 50 minutes when Silko Thomas’ cross was spilled by Josh Griffiths and Thelo Aasgaard finished from inside the six-yard box.
• Matters got worse for Rovers on 71 minutes when Chambers superb near post free-kick evaded Griffiths to make it four.
• To compound Rovers’ misery defender Taylor Moore was red-carded when he head-butted substitute Maleace Asamoah.
• Latics move up to 15th and Rovers are in 14th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made one change to the starting line-up from the defeat at Birmingham City with Jensen Weir starting for the first time since returning to the club. Baba Adeeko dropped to the bench.

Rovers had a couple of early half chances when Isaac Hutchinson’s effort had to be blocked by Will Aimson and from a corner Moore headed wide.

But Latics gradually started to assert their authority and Dion Rankine had a good opportunity in the seventh minute but he fired straight at Griffiths. 

James Wilson had a chance for Rovers on 16 minutes but he volleyed wide of the target following a corner.

The visitors might’ve gone ahead on 19 minutes when Chambers cross found Weir in a good position but his strike on goal was deflected for a corner. From the resulting corner Latics did go ahead when Chambers’ cross was headed on by Jason Kerr and the ball fell to Hugill who poked the ball home from close range.

Rovers tried to respond and Jake Garrett fired straight at Sam Tickle from outside the box and Clinton Mola blazed high and wide from distance.

Weir and Hugill twice had efforts on goal before Latics doubled their lead on 40 minutes. Following another Chambers corner Hugill added his second goal forcing the ball over the line from close range.

One minute later Latics had a couple of great chances to increase their lead before the break when Aasgaard broke clear and his effort was saved by Griffiths but when the ball came back out to Weir he blazed the ball high and wide.

2-0 to Latics at half-time.

Latics continued to threaten at the start of the second half with Aasgaard heading wide from Chambers’ cross and then on 49 minutes the Norwegian U21 international fired wide of the target.

Aasggard was not to be denied however, as a minute later Silko Thomas’ cross was spilled by Griffiths and Aasgaard was on hand to finish from inside the six-yard box. 

Callum McManaman replaced Rankine on 66 minutes and on 71 minutes he won a free-kick on the right wing. Chambers hit a superb near post free-kick which evaded Griffiths to make it four.

Latics were in total control now and Rovers in complete disarray.

With the game effectively won Maloney made several substitutions with Dale Taylor, Baba Adeeko and Maleace Asamoah replacing Aasgaard, Matt Smith and Thomas.

Rovers misery was compounded on 84 minutes when a clearly frustrated Moore head-butted Asamoah and referee Scott Jackson had no option but to issue the red card.  

It was dispiriting display by Rovers but a throughly impressive performance by Maloney’s young team. 

Overview

This was an excellent display by Maloney’s new team which has had to face some unfair criticism in recent weeks. With only five games played Latics had been unlucky to lose against Charlton and Birmingham, they were disappointing against Reading, but have now defeated Crawley and Bristol Rovers and are an improving team.

It is still very early days for what is a newly assembled squad, but the signs are very promising. As the new players settle in the understanding will grow.

Maloney’s men were much more forward thinking at Bristol with Weir making an immediate impact in midfield. Latics were defensively very solid with Kerr and Aimson once again outstanding. Hugill will be boosted by his first two League One goals and Chambers overall play and set-piece delivery was just top drawer. 

Post-match comments

Maloney was full of praise for his side after securing our first away win of the new season in emphatic fashion.

“The lads were excellent, he told the media.

“We carried on the league performance against Birmingham and this was as good as Birmingham and Charlton, but the difference in this game today was we were clinical.

“To come here against a good side with attacking players, I thought we were excellent. Every player. It was one of those performances where it was very close to being exactly what we want."

Jensen Weir made his first start in a Latics shirt and was impressive throughout and the manager paid tribute to the  Academy product.

“Jensen was very good, he continued.

“He did everything really. He has got a lot of attributes I like. I don't want to pick too many players out today, but he was very good.”

Maloney also paid tribute to Joe Hugill after his double set the tone for the victory.

“Joe scored a penalty in Morecambe and that gave him confidence.

“In general Joe's movement has been very good, it's probably just been that final pass and he probably hasn't had as many opportunities as we would have liked.

“I am so happy for Joe and his confidence."

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