Tame Tics in another stalemate – Wigan Athletic 0 Exeter City 0

Today at 01:35 PM

• Wigan Athletic were held to their third consecutive goalless draw this time by Exeter City at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Both teams approached the game in a similar style with slow build up play, limited creativity and both lacking a cutting edge.
• The two best chances of the first half fell to Latics, first Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth saved brilliantly at close range to deny Silko Tomas and then the goalkeeper denied Jensen Weir's shot from 30 yards which was tipped around the post.
• In the second half Substitute Dale Taylor had a couple of good chances to break the deadlock and in the final seconds of added time former Exeter defender Will Aimson's header was well saved by Whitworth and the points had to be shared.
• Latics drop the 16th place and the Grecians are in 13th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made five changes from the midweek 0-0 draw with Stevenage with James Carragher, Matt Smith, Dion Rankine, Thelo Aasgaard and Joe Hugill returning to the starting line-up. 

Exeter are managed by former Latics captain and manager Gary Caldwell and coached by former midfielder David Perkins.

Former Latics captain Josh Magennis was in the Exeter starting line up.

Latics threatened after four minutes when Aasgaard played a flicked pass to Luke Chambers but the Liverpool loanee's cross was cleared.

Johnly Yfeko fired over from 25 yards for the visitors in a very cagey opening 30 minutes.

Latics best chance so far fell to Silko Thomas. Jensen Weir won the ball and he slipped in Thomas, but keeper Whitworth did brilliantly to deny him with his feet.

The hosts threatened again just before half-time time when Weir's low strike from 30-yards was heading for the bottom corner but Whitworth got down to his right to tip around the post. 

Another frustrating first half performance by Latics with chances very few and far between.

The second half continued in similar vein with slow build up and a failure to create opportunities in the final third.

Latics seemed unable to move the ball quickly and attack with pace. Rankine and Thomas both seemed afraid to take on defenders in the final third.

Taylor and Michael Olakigbe replaced Hugill and Rankine on 53 minutes.

James Carragher blazed over from 25 yards before Kamari Doyle dragged his 20 yard effort just wide of Sam Tickle's far post.

Scott Smith replaced Weir on 70 minutes.

Maloney introduced Callum McManaman and Baba Adeeko on 76 minutes and almost immediately McManaman created a chance for Adeeko.

He twisted and turned the defenders before putting an inviting cross towards the back post which Baba Adeeko so nearly headed home.

Olakigbe then provided a great opportunity for Taylor but the Nottingham Forest loanee shot tamely at Whitworth.

Latics started to show more urgency as the minutes ticked down. Aasgaard's effort was deflected and into the goalkeepers hands before Taylor had another chance, but his effort was blocked following a Latics corner.

In the final seconds of added time former Exeter defender Aimson's header was well saved by Whitworth and the points had to be shared.

Exeter looked satisfied to have gained a point on the road but it was another frustrating afternoon for Latics with their third consecutive goalless draw.

Overview

It's fair to say Maloney isn't learning from recent games. It's evident that Latics don't move the ball quickly enough, they don't get enough players forward and our wingers rarely beat the last defender.

Latics build up play is just far too pedestrian. Maloney and his coaches are responsible for this approach. The players are encouraged to take the easy option by passing backwards. Possession is paramount, risks are supposedly eradicated.

There is a lack of urgency to move forward. The chances created are too few and far between.

When they do get a goalscoring opportunity they rarely look like scoring.

Currently Latics are very secure defensively but going forward they lack creativity and any kind of cutting edge.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media post-game, Maloney is desperate to give supporters a victory and wants his side to turn their key chances into goals. 

"It was a difficult day again to break them down,” he said.

"In the final third, if we were more clinical, it's a missed opportunity today. 

"The four clean sheets are extremely good from the team, and that has to start from the forward players. I give them big credit for that. As a team, we had enough chances to win the game.

"I trust their talent but we're not taking our chances. Teams are setting themselves up in a certain way, and we just have to be really patient, and when we do get chances, we have to take them. 

"I want to give our fans wins and goals, but they (Exeter City) made it very difficult for us. 

"I want to give the fans goals and wins, but it's building blocks at the moment. I am desperate to win for them.”

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