IRISH EYES STILL SMILING

McCarthy finds positives despite result

The goal-scoring return to full action of James McCarthy will have given Latics’ faithful a reason to be optimistic last night, despite the disappointing result against Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old Irish international was delighted to start his first game since picking up an ankle injury against Bolton Wanderers in October last year, but says the defeat overshadowed any personal joy he felt: “It felt great to get a run-out and start the game, even scoring a goal, but to be honest it almost counts for nothing.

“The most important thing was to get three points, which we didn’t and it’s very disappointing.

“I felt some of our play was magnificent but on the night it just wasn’t to be.”

The young midfielder managed to grab a goal back for Latics with ten minutes to go after Villa had gone two up, but it was too little too late and McCarthy said: “We’re disappointed but we’ll stick together as a group, come back into training tomorrow and continue to keep our spirits up by working hard.

“After getting that goal back I thought we had a real go at them, something which the Gaffer was pleased about, but the end product just wasn’t there, sometimes you have nights like that.”

McCarthy said he thought the side created some good chances during the match and said: “James (McArthur) and Hendry (Thomas) give you that bit of dig in the middle which opened up some opportunities, but we just couldn’t get the goal we needed, then a few minutes after the break they go up the other end of the pitch to score, which knocked the stuffing out of us a bit.”

Despite the frustrating defeat, McCarthy believes the team have the strength of character to bounce back and said: “We need to pick ourselves up now, it was a great performance despite the result.

“We’ve got a big derby against Bolton next week in the cup and then an even bigger match-up against West Brom the week after, which I’m sure the lad’s will be ready for and we’ll give it everything.”

CALD WAR

Skipper says players are ready for the fight ahead 

Latics captainn Gary Caldwell says the team was as frustrated as anyone after a late Fulham strike on Saturday denied Latics what would have been a precious win - but says everyone is up for the battle which lies ahead.


Hugo Rodallega's classy finish mid-way through the second-half looked to have settled the game, only for a late rally from the visitors which led to the leveller, minutes from time.


"It was really frustrating for the lads," Caldwell said, "when you get in front in a game like this, you need to hold on and see the game out.


"Unfortunately Fulham got back into it and pressed us hard which led to the goal. "


The was a hint of misfortune to the late Andy Johnson strike, after it took a deflection off Caldwell and the skipper said: "Unfortunately it did take a slight nick off my calf which seemed to spin it in the air making it difficult for Ali, he got a hand to it but couldn't stop it dropping in."


Roberto Martinez's men had taken control of the game in the second-half and the skipper said the manager had changed the formation a little at the break: "That helped us get on the front foot," he said, "the gaffer just told us to get forward quicker and play in their half a bit more."


"We did this but towards the end, we gave them too much space," admitted Caldwell, "which enabled them to break on us too easily and we can't allow teams to do that."


Despite some stoic defending by Latics, the introduction of Johnson was the key for Fulham and Caldwell said: "He plays on the shoulder of the last man and is always a threat.


"We tried to play him offside prior to the goal and gambled, but he got the break and punished us.


"When teams are losing, they're going to throw men forward and put you under pressure - we need to cope with this better and keep possession of the ball more."


The point could still prove valuable come May and Caldwell said: "The bottom gets tighter every week and it's going to be a real fight to the finish, but all we can do is concentrate on our own performances and I'm sure we can push up the table."

LATE FIGHTBACK FRUSTRATES LATICS

WIGAN ATHLETIC   1
Rodallega 57

FULHAM    1
Johnson 86


Latics were left frustrated today as a late Fulham strike salvaged a share of the points for the visitors.


In a match that was billed as a genuine 'six-pointer' the home side looked to have done enough to secure the victory until Andy Johnson climbed off the bench to deny them.

Looking for a first Barclays Premier League win in four games, Latics began the game brightly  with Ben Watsonpulling the strings in midfield and  Charles N'Zogbia combining well with Hugo Rodallega to cause problems for the visitors up front.

The best chance of the first half fell to Rodallega as the Colombian hitman blasted just wide following great work by N'Zogbia and Maynor Figueroa down the Fulham right.

Ali Al Habsi was a virtual spectator during the first 45 minutes but when he was called into action, he proved up to the task as he dived bravely at the feet of Damien Duff when the Irishman raced clear of Latics' defence.

Latics continued to find success down the Fulham right as the half wore on and N'Zogbia and Figueroa were a constant threat to the visiting full-backs.

The sides went in to the break level but Latics' boss Roberto Martinez would have been the happier of the two managers as his team had asked most of the questions.

A cautious start to the second half was testament to the importance of the game and the opening exchanges amounted to little as the playing surface started to look heavy under foot.

The game was meandering until the 57th minute, when Latics scored a goal from nothing,  Rodallega latching on to a hopeful punt forward and calmly chipping over Stockdale to put the home side one up.

The strike had the DW Stadium rocking and visably lifted Latics but Dempsey almsot silenced them again soon after when he poked the ball into the net only to see the referee rule it out for handball.

Fulham surged forward looking for a way back into the game but Latic's still looked dangerous with N'Zogbia's pace a constant threat to an exposed  defence.

The introduction of England international Andy Johnson added more verve to the visitor's attack and Latics did well to keep the Londoners at bay as they  looked for the equaliser.

Latics' resolve finally broke five mintes from time, when Dempsey fed the dangerous Johnson, who fired a low shot past Al Habsi to level the scores and delight the travelling fans behin the goal.

A sense of frustration filled the DW Stadium on the final whistle but this hard-earned point could well prove vital towards the end of the season.



Wigan:Al Habsi, Gohouri, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Thomas, Diame, Stam(McArthur, 72), Watson (Di Santo, 87), N'Zogbia, Rodallega
Subs:Pollitt. Boyce, S. Caldwell, Gomez, McArthur, McManaman, Di Santo

Fulham:Stockdale, Pantsil, Hangeland, Baird, Murphy (Capt), Kamara (Dembele, 59), Duff, Hughes, Etuhu, Dempsey, Davies (Johnson, 76).
Subs:Etheridge, Salcido, Sidwell, Johnson, Gera, Greening, Dembele




http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10429~53305,00.html

LET'S GO GET 'EM!

Defender calls on Latics’ ‘magnificent’ fans to help secure victory

Emmerson Boyce has issued a rally cry to all Latics fans in an effort to propel the side up the table and away from danger.

The defender, who made an impressive return to action against Hull City last week, knows the importance of Saturday’s home game against Fulham and has urged fans to pack the DW Stadium in support of the side.

“The fans have been excellent as always and they show magnificent support every week,” said Boyce, “but it would be even better if we could get more fans coming to cheer the lads on which could hopefully push us on up the table.”

The visit of Fulham is a crucial game and is all the more important due to their close proximity in the table: “They’re a very good team and have always been very organised,” he said, “they can beat anyone on their day.

“It will be a tough game for us but hopefully we can get the three points, which would move above them in the table.”

With just four points separating Latics in 19^th and Everton who lie 12^th, Boyce knows the importance of every point and says: “It’s so tight at the moment that after we beat wolves we were looking at teams above us, but then after losing we were back in the bottom three.

“It’s going to one of those seasons where a win gets you out of the drop zone but a loss puts you back in it.

“The good thing is there are a lot of teams still closely bunched together at the bottom and if we beat Fulham then that brings them back into it. Everyone is capable of beating each other.”

The return to fitness of Boyce is a timely boost for the gaffer and the heis delighted to be back after a long layoff: “It was frustrating to watch from the sidelines and I just wanted to get back playing,” he said, “but getting through the Hull game was very important and I only had a bit of soreness because I’ve been out for so long .

“ I was happy to be back out there  and I’ve been back training this week getting ready for Saturday” said Boyce before adding, “it’s up to the gaffer now but hopefully I’ll get selected for the game.”

With the return to fitness of James McCarthy, Victor Moses and Franco Di Santo also on the horizon, Boyce says the competition for places is great for the club: “The gaffer wants competition for all places and we know we have to perform to keep our places in the team.

“It can only benefit the club and will help us as we try and push on up the table.”

Latics’ fans will hope this can start on Saturday against Fulham.

HAPPY MAC BACK ON TRACK

James McCarthy has given Latics fans some cheer today by revealing he has resumed training and could be match-fit by the end of January - with Franco Di Santo and Victor Moses also on the road to recovery.

Latics manager Roberto Martinez has already said the trio could be 'our best three signings' this January and McCarthy is raring to go.

"I can't wait to get back," he says, "my biggest problem has been trying to do to too much too quickly, and the physios are always having to tell me to slow down!"

The midfield dynamo has been sorely missed by the team after picking up an ankle injury against Bolton Wanderers in October, but the young Irishman has worked hard to recover and has targeted late Januaryl for a possible comeback: "I'm hoping to be back for the Arsenal game at the end of the month," he said, "I'm not 100 per cent sure, but that's definitely the target I've set for myself. 


"I've started kicking the ball and hopefully this week I'll get more involved in the rest of the training."


"I started training outside with Victor and Franco, and that was a big step forward," he said, 


"It was getting a bit frustrating in the gym, but getting outside cheered us all up."


Glasgow-born McCarthy also spoke of his frustration at sitting on the sidelines but said things had been made easier by having another injured training partner in the gym: "Although it wasn't good for the team, I was fortunate that a few weeks after I did my ankle Victor (Moses) did his shoulder.


"It's meant we've been able to work together in the gym, and it's always good to have someone there working alongside you.

"We're around the same age, we get along very well, and we've really helped each other."



Moses is also progressing well and the return of these two gifted youngsters along with Franco di Santo will give the side a real boost: "The manager has been saying that it'll be like having three new signings, and hopefully we can all make an impact." said McCarthy.

"We're sitting in the relegation zone now, where we definitely don't want to be, and we need to try and kick the team on.


"I'm sure the gaffer will be looking to bring in one or two players in this month, we've been limited in recent weeks because of the number of players we've had available, but I'm confident we'll be all right."


The return to first team football of the injured players will intensify competition for places, but McCarthy thinks this will be good for the team as the battle to move up the table: "Competition like that is always good for the club and can only boost the players to give everything they have."


http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~2264384,00.html

ITS ALL STILL A BLUR SAYS MACCA

Teenage goal hero Callum McManaman was delighted by his full debut performance  at Hull City, but admitted he could not remember much about his second half wonder strike.

The 19-year-old Scouser put in a man-of-the-match performance on Saturday after being handed his first start in Latics’ side, but later said: “I don’t even remember the goal, it’s all just a blur and hasn’t even sunk in yet.”

Knowsley born McManaman beat two players to curl a magnificent strike past the goalkeeper and said: “I usually play on the wing but I was happy to play anywhere today to get my first start in such a big game.”

The young striker said he only knew about his inclusion in the side when the gaffer announced the team: “The first I knew about it was when the gaffer read the team out at 1.30 today,” he said, “ I was made up to be in the starting line up - especially in such a big competition as the FA Cup.”

A number of youngsters were given the opportunity to impress the gaffer as he made nine changes to the side and McManaman said: “You can see the gaffer likes to give the younger lads a run out, so it does give you hope.

“We have all done well this season in the reserves, so it’s good that we were given the chance today.”

He also said he had been helped immensely by the older members of the first team, which had prepared him for his first Latics start: “The older and more experienced lads were great,” he said, “they helped me and gave me advice before the game.

 “That gave me a lot more confidence, that’s just what you need when it’s your first match.”

Latics’ fans will now hope there is more to come after such an impressive display and McManaman said: “I was thankful for the chance the gaffer gave me today. I hope this is just the start.”

SUPER MAC TAMES TIGERS

FA Cup Third Round
Saturday 8 January 2011
KC Stadium

HULL CITY 2
Barmby 74, 89

WIGAN ATHLETIC 3
Diame 21, 77
McManaman 56


Callum McManaman put in a virtuoso performance today as Latics booked their place in the fourth round of the cup, scoring on his full debut alongside two goal Mohamed Diame.

Hull City had no answer to his movement and creativity as the 19-year-old was the catalyst for a brilliant team performance from Roberto Martinez's men.

The gaffer made eight changes for the trip to Humberside and the superb showing by the new faces will have given him a selection headache as they excelled in a much deserved victory.

Latics began the game with an intensity that immediately put the hosts on the defensive, with the ball fizzing across the Hull goal as some spectators were still taking their seats.

Ten minutes into the game, Roberto Martinez's men had found a rhythm and swagger that had  silenced the home support, with Spanish debutant Adrián López looking impressive at the heart of the defense next to Steven Caldwell.

Two minutes later Daniel de Ridder, playing his first game under Martinez, forced Matt Duke into a great save with a 25 yard effort as Latics dominated.

Callum McManaman and de Ridder were finding increasing success going forward and were ably supported by Diame and Jordi Gomez. 

The best opportunity of the early exchanges came when de Ridder was sent clear by a superb defence splitting pass from McManaman, the Dutchman's effort almost breaking the deadlock.



The breakthrough finally came in the 20th minute after good work again on the left by the excellent McManaman. The young Scouser whipped a dangerous ball into the box which Hull failed to deal with and Diame gleefully took advantage by stroking the ball in to give Latics a deserved lead.

The home side tried to get back on level terms but were struggling to cope with Latics movement and possession, which really should have seen them go into the break with more than the one goal lead that they held.

Hull came out for the second half with more purpose but it was Latics who nearly doubled their lead as de Ridder's low strike thundered off the Hull post only for McManaman to head the follow up straight to the tiger's keeper.

In the 55^th minute Latics finally got their second goal when McManaman glided past two Hull defenders and curled a beautiful right foot strike beyond the hapless Duke.

The home side came forward with more abandon after the goal but Latics were solid and always looked dangerous when going forward themselves.

Despite Latics' dominance, Hull were handed a lifeline in the 75th minute when Barmby controlled in the area to slot past Ali Al Habsi, giving them a goal they barely deserved.


The home crowd were still celebrating the Barmby strike, when Diame found himself free in the Hull area and calmly chipped over the advancing keeper to restore Latics two goal advantage.

The final ten minutes saw the home side surge forward in search of a way back, and with one minute remaining Barmby headed his second goal to make it 3-2 and set up a grandstand finish.

Latics defended solidly for the four minutes of added time and were finally rewarded for an excellant performance when the referee brought the game to it's conclusion.



Hull City: Duke, Zayette, Dawson, Ashbee, Harper, Fryatt, Simpson (Barmby, 60), Solano, Gerrard, Bullard (Koren, 60), Stewart (Devitt, 70)
Subs: Oxley, Cooper, Barmby, Devitt, Koren, Hollohan, Bradley

Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi, Boyce, S Caldwell, Lopez (Robinson, 63), Figueroa (Mustoe, 87), Thomas, Diame, Gomez, McArthur (Redmond, 80), de Ridder, McManaman
Subs: Nicholls, Redmond, Buxton, Golobart, Morris, Mustoe, Robinson

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.

http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10429~54918,00.html

BOLTON WANDERERS 1 1 WIGAN ATHLETIC REPORT

BOLTON WANDERERS 1
Rodrigo 54


WIGAN 1
Stam 80

Ronnie Stam scored his first goal for the club as Latics produced a battling performance tonight to earn a well deserved point in a rain soaked derby at Bolton.

Despite losing Tom Cleverely and Chris Kirkland during the game, Roberto Martinez's men fought from the opening whistle in a performance that was much improved from Sunday's disappointing defeat to Newcastle.

The gaffer brought James McArthur into the midfield for Momo Diame and the young Scot impressed alongside Ben Watson and Tom Cleverley, as Latics forced the home team on to the back foot.

Chris Kirkland was a virtual spectator for most of the first half behind a defence, expertly marshalled by Gary Caldwell and Antolin Alcaraz, that kept danger man Kevin Davies under wraps.Hugo Rodellega had the best chance of the half when his thunderous 35 yard free kick had Jaaskelainen scrambling across his goal to parry away for a corner.

The only downside came in the eighth minute when Tom Cleverley pulled up clutching his hamstring as he chased down a loose ball near the corner flag. The sight of the young winger limping down the tunnel will be a major worry for the gaffer and his already depleted squad.

The second half was only nine minutes old when Latics found themselves a goal down after Rodrigo latched onto a through ball and calmly chipped over the advancing Kirkland.

Five minutes later Kirkland had to be stretchered off when he was injured saving bravely at the feet of the advancing Elmander. The big keeper left the field to a round of concerned applause to add to Latics' growing injury list.Latics battled hard to get back on equal terms with their hosts and got their just rewards when Ronnie Stam started and finished an excellent move to slot past Jaaskelainen in the 80th minute.The goal lifted the travelling fans behind the Bolton goal and Latics responded by pushing forward in search of all three points.

The hosts responded well as they looked to win the game themselves and Mike Pollitt produced an excellent reflex save to keep the game level during the eight minutes of added time.

Latics survived the home side's late pressure and were rewarded with a well deserved point.

Latics:Kirkland (Pollitt 62); Gohouri, Alcaraz, Caldwell G, Thomas, Watson, Cleverley (Diame 12), McArthur, Rodallega, Stam (McManaman 90+4), Figueroa
Subs:Pollitt; Gomez, Caldwell S, Diame, López, McManaman, Robinson

Bolton:Jaaskelainen; Robinson, Cahill, Muamba, Taylor (Blake 90), Elmander, Knight, Davies K, Davies M, Ricketts, Rodrigo (Petrov 82)
Subs:Bogdan; Petrov, Blake, Alonso




http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10429~53264,00.html