Latics stumble badly at struggling Cambridge – Cambridge United 2 Wigan Athletic 0

10/20/2024 04:50 AM

• Wigan Athletic were defeated 2-0 by previously winless Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.
• Latics were behind after only five minutes when Dan Nlundulu's scuffed effort was poked home by Elias Kachunga.
• Latics just never got going and they were 2-0 down after 25 minutes when Korey Smith fired a low drive which struck the post before rebounding off Sam Tickle and into the net.
• Cambridge might've added to their lead in the second half but Jubril Okedina's header hit the crossbar.
• It was a strangely dispiriting display by Latics who had previously gone seven games without conceding a goal.
• Latics drop to 17th place and Cambridge move off the bottom of the League One table to 23rd place.

Shaun Maloney made four changes from the starting XI which drew at Stockport County with Calvin Ramsay, Scott Smith, Michael Olakigbe and Silko Thomas replacing Luke Chambers, Dion Rankine, Callum McManaman and Thelo Aasgaard.

Latics made a dreadful start at the Abbey Stadium and were behind after only five minutes. 

Ryan Loft dispossessed James Carragher, drove forward into the box and Dan Nlundulu's scuffed effort was poked home by Elias Kachunga.

Soon afterwards with Latics in disarray Sam Tickle had to make a save to deny Jubril Okedina's header from close-blank range.

Jensen Weir had to be withdrawn on 20 minutes with an injury and was replaced by Thelo Aasgaard.

Matters got worse for Latics soon afterwards as Smith cut inside and fired a low drive which struck the post before rebounding back off Tickle and into the goal.

Ramsay had a chance to get Latics back into the game route but after driving forward from left back he fired just wide from the edge of the box on 28 minutes.

Scott Smith had an effort from 20-yards but was denied by Vicente Reyes before substitute Aasgaard curled a 25-yard free-kick narrowly wide.

The normally reliable Jason Kerr then gifted a chance for Kachunga, who should've made it three, but he fired straight at Tickle. 

It had been a dreadful first half for Latics and Maloney made three changes at half-time with Carragher, Ramsay and Olakigbe replaced by Josh Stones, K'Marni Miller and Dion Rankine.

It was the hosts who threatened first when Smith tested Tickle from distance.

Latics then threatened when Scott Smith found Aasgaard who set up Stones, but his backheel did not trouble Reyes.

Cambridge might've added a third goal when Okedina struck the bar with a header following a cross from the right.

Aasgaard nearly gave Latics a foothold when he had a deflected effort just wide on 72 minutes but in truth Latics were second best throughout.

A desperately poor display by Latics against a team who were bottom of the table and hadn't won this season.

Overview 

It's normal to expect some inconsistency with a young team but this was a strangely abject performance against a team who were completely lacking in confidence and hadn't won in the league.

Latics were second best from the kick off with the hosts were ahead after only five minutes.

Conceding so early should've been a wake up call to the players but things only got worse as the game progressed.

Latics soft centre was once again exposed as it has often been against some of the more direct teams in this division.

Going forward striker Dale Taylor was isolated and lacking service from wingers Silko Thomas and Michael Olakigbe.

Even the normally reliable defence looked out of sorts with Kerr, Aimson and Tickle making uncharacteristic mistakes which could've have led to even more goals conceded.

Latics were missing important players like Luke Chambers, Callum McManaman and Jonny Smith but you shouldn't make excuses for this totally unsatisfactory effort.

Maloney requires a really big reaction from his players against high-flying Mansfield on Tuesday night.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards, Maloney was frustrated with his side's first-half display and expressed his side can not perform in the same manner if they aspire to compete at the top end of the table. 

"The start of the game was about as poor as we've been (in my time here)," he said.

"The first 30 minutes were miles away from where we want to be. It was not good whatsoever.

"To the travelling support, I apologise for the first half. It was miles away from what it should be, and it's nothing tactical – it's an intent to compete in the game.

"One of the biggest disappointments is we conceded two goals from our own throw-ins. The general performance in the first half was really poor.

"I asked the players to get into certain positions and when they don't do it, they have to understand the consequences of that. 

"We were miles away in the first half. In the second half, in fairness to the players that came on made a difference. 

"K'Marni (Miller) was unbelievable considering the circumstances, and Tyrese (Francois) made a difference.

"We tried to create chances but Cambridge had a two-goal lead to defend, and they defended it well. The second half was much more acceptable.

"We're at a stage where we have a lot of younger players, but our sole aim is for us to try and win games. 

"I didn't get the balance right – and the first-half performance is on me.

"I'm speaking about trying to push higher up this league – but we'll never ever do that with performances like we had in the first half.

"You can win games and lose games – and I've no problem whatsoever if they (the fans) are unhappy at the end of that game. I am unbelievably angry, and now I need to fix it."

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