Latics lack forward thrust – Wigan Athletic 0 Stevenage 0

Today at 02:00 AM

• Wigan Athletic were held to a goalless draw by Stevenage in a dour encounter at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Stevenage had a great opportunity to
  opening the scoring after only two minutes but Jamie Reid dragged his shot wide.
• Latics grew into the game and Callum McManaman proved to be their biggest threat in the first half.
• In the second half substitute Michael
  Olakibe set up a Baba Adeeko strike and had curling effort which was deflected narrowly wide.
• The hosts failed to produce any real forward thrust and were easily frustrated by the visitors rearguard action.
• Latics are now in 14th place and Stevenage in 15th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney opted to change his starting lineup from the goalless draw at Lincoln City.

Toby Sibbick, Adeeko, Scott Smith, McManaman and Dale Taylor all came in for starts. New signing Olakigbe took his place on the substitutes bench for the first time after injury.

Jamie Reid came close for the visitors in the second minute. A free kick was nodded on by Carl Piergianni into the path of Reid, but he dragged his shot wide of Sam Tickle's far post.

McManaman was proving to be Latics biggest threat and when he cut inside and curled an effort towards goal it looked destined for the top corner, but only for  Piergianni to divert it wide.

Luke Chambers then fired just over from 25 yards before he then crossed for the arriving Sibbick who couldn't quite reach the cross.

Latics were now pressing but unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Harvey White curled a 25-yard free kick just wide for the visitors but real opportunities for either side were few and far between.

Chambers had to be withdrawn at half time due to injury and replaced by substitute James Carragher.

Maloney then made three changes on 56 minutes with Dion Rankine, Olakigbe and Thelo Aasgaard replacing Silko Thomas, McManaman and Jensen Weir.

Debutant  Olakigbe was quickly into the action, beating his man down the left and cutting the ball back for Adeeko who forced a strong save from on-loan goalkeeper Murphy Cooper.

Olakigbe then threatened again when his low curling effort which looked like it might find the far corner, only for Cooper to tip round the post.

It was a dispiriting last 20 minutes for Latics' fans as Maloney's team failed to have a single shot at goal and Stevenage comfortably saw out the game for a draw.

Overview

This was a toothless display by Latics against a frustrating Stevenage outfit.

The visitors are a physical team who defended in numbers but Latics lack any forward threat at the moment.

The frustrating signs were for all to see at Lincoln and this was even more evident tonight.

Lone striker Dale Taylor worked tirelessly but was given very limited service and support. He is so isolated and was completely outnumbered by the Stevenage defenders.

Currently very few Latics players get into forward positions to support the lone striker so chances are few and far between.

The build up play is just too slow and it is easy for opposition defenders to get into position to repel any attacks.

Latics usually enjoy plenty of possession but it is relatively easy to keep playing the ball across the backline and to not create a threat for the opposition.

On the positive side the defence has been very solid with three clean sheets in recent games with both Jason Kerr and Will Aimson both outstanding.

It is obvious there needs to be a change in approach by Maloney or the team will be marooned in the bottom half of League One.

Latics desperately need a more attacking approach in the upcoming home games. They will need to provide more support to the central striker, get players forward and move the ball much quicker.

At least Michael Olakigbe had a promising debut and he showed a desire to take defenders on and create chances.

Post match comments

Speaking post-game to the media, Maloney praised the effort levels of his players, although he admitted that his side still have plenty of work to do.

"It is a difficult one to assess – there are two parts to it," he said. 

"Without the ball, we were excellent. Stevenage are a really difficult team to play – they get it forward really quickly and have got some really good, strong players. 

"Similar to Lincoln City, they are one of the best of the league at set plays. We gave up a chance after a minute, and I think that was their only real chance.

"With the ball, we were doing a lot of things right, but in the final third, we can do more.

"It's difficult because we finished the game with four centre-backs, and Luke (Chambers) came off at half-time.

"I can't ask loads more from the players with what we got today. We had to really control the game – I know the support want us to get the ball forward quickly – in this game, it was different with how good Stevenage are on the counter.

"In the critical moments when we did attack or had that chance, we didn't quite take it. 

"With the ball, I am desperate to get even more. I am frustrated with the result – we should never accept a 0-0, and that's being respectful to the opponent. 

"We kept trying to win the game, and still have a lot of work. We're almost doing the last parts of pre-season again, but I can't ask too much. We can improve definitely in certain positions, but in terms of stopping an opponent that is so dangerous from long balls, the players were good at that."

Latics were forced into a change at the break, with Luke Chambers unable to continue. Maloney says it’s too early to provide a diagnosis, but revealed it’s likely to be a doubt for the visit of Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.

"Unfortunately it was a muscle tightness and Luke couldn't carry on. It's early and we'll know later the week but he's doubtful for the weekend."

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