James O'Connor, even at 5-1 down chased down every loose ball and really put in the effort all game. Peter Hoekstra was described by one Wigan fan as 'The only Stoke player who wanted to win the match' he tried his best to bring Stoke back but was disapointed by team-mates who just lost the ball after he'd do some trickery and pass.
Stoke played absolutely terrible in the first half and at the interval we were 3-1 down. After an 'improved' 2nd half performance we still managed to concede 3.
Wigan's home attendance has tripled in the last couple of years said one Wiganner. Stoke took 3,000 so therefore Wigan must have taken 4,000. only 4,000 fans to watch them take on a promotion favourite? Ok fair enough, Wigan is a rugby town, so why they boast a huge stadium if they're only expecting 7,000 a game? Beyond Me! On a brighter note the stadium is very nice looking and surrounded by a similar place 'Festival Park' with a burger king etc, and surrounding the modern stadium is a 'JJB Soccer Dome' aswell as other JJB buildings. It is really an impressive setup they have there and around the stadium is very new. See Stadium Review at a later date.
The Goals
1-0
Well, the first goal went Wigan's way. Rowson was the last man to make an error as several errors on the left hand side eventually led to a 25 yard volley which Cutler might have done better with.
1-1
Stoke replied like they should, no complaints. A great ball to Bjarni and a fantastic volleyed-cross onto Jurgen's head.
2-1
Great, We're away now lads - I remember me saying after that one. This was not to be as Wigan replied to our goal. Cutler came out too far to punch, cocked up his punch and the ball fell to a wigan player to volley into the net with hardly a defender about to close him down.
3-1
Corner kick saw 'De Zeuw' head home, totally unmarked inside the 18 yard box and defenders dont tend to miss such easy headers.
MISSED CHANCE
A repeat of the corner, exactly the same positioning. 'De Zeuw' was there to once again (unmarked again) to head home. Some daft git on the line trying to get a touch to claim for himself deflected the ball off his head straight up in the air and over the bar. Clever.
HALF TIME
Change of tactics. 4-3-3 introduced and Alan Smart made his 1st team debut.
4-1
Stoke began the attack and it did look like we were at least going to fight for pride and go for maybe a draw? But the first Wigan attack of the half was a counter attack from our going forward. Paul Dalglish finished well from the right hand side of the 18 yard box.
5-1
Thommo got caught and ended up bringing down a wigan player in the box and the penalty, to the delight of the 700 or so behind that goal, sent cutler the wrong way.
6-1
There were two players who were still going for pride, O'Connor and Hoekstra. The rest were terrible. The last goal was a good individual effort by the full back Jeff Kenna found the back of the net.
Stoke played better in the 2nd half and were unlucky with their chances. Bjarni hit a 30 yard screamer that hit the corner of the wood work. We hit the post and Hoekstra missed 2 close chances. on another day we'd have totally killed off wigan but that night it wasn't to be. We now need to establish a new unbeaten run starting sunday.
HOW WE RATED 'EM
Cutler - 4 (Well Cutler, hope this is a one off!)
Thomas - 5 (Nothing came off for you, unlucky)
Handyside - 5 (The odd error)
Shtaniuk - 5 (Didn't get in the game)
Clarke - 5 (Didn't get in the game)
Gudjonsson - 6 (What a cross for the goal and you tried Bjarni)
Rowson - 3 (Sorry but a truly terrible performance)
(Smart 45) - 5 (Never got in the game)
O'Connor - 7 (Good lad, ran after lost causes even at 6-1 down)
Vandeurzen - 6 (Good Effort)
Iwelumo - 6 (May as well had stayed home Chris, nobody provided you)
Hoekstra - 7 (Good man, you still wanted to win at 6-1 down)
