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City huffed and puffed in the first half and after 10 - 15 mins were well in the game. There were chances for City but all the while Wigan were cruising. When they felt the need to step up a gear they could and we were left running around like headless chickens.
Rhys Weston made a reckless challenge to concede a penalty and Duke Ellington made it 1 - 0. City continued to play with a passion but not as a team. We were hot then cold, when we clicked we looked good but then all of a sudden switched off and looked like parks players. Wigan you felt had the extra in the tank and they played it as a team agme.
City in one of their better moves found space in the box. Campbell's effort was blocked but he was able to get the next phase and his shot brought a superb one handed stop from Filan. City though were hit again by the sucker punch, Filans clearance bounced through to Roberts who finished with style from 18 yards.
Half time came and City's 11 players had been done by Wigan's TEAM.
They closed us down when we had possession and then when they attacked they always had a man covering the ball player so he always had an outlet.
The second half saw City put a few moves together. When the players passed and moved they put Wigan on the back foot. There were chances for the Latics to wrap it up. A few one on ones were wasted when City manged to get players back, one in particular saw Rhys Weston lunge in with a superbly timed tackle to deny the Wigan attack. Even more impressive considering he had conceded a first half penalty.
City's offensive play paid off when a lovely move through the middle saw Campbell scamper on goal, he rounded Filan only to be brought down. A surefire red card was ignored by the referee but he did give us a penalty. Filan managed to argue his way to a yellow but he should have be taking a shower. Alan Lee scored and from there on City could have come away with a point.
Wigan had looked in control during the first 45 mins but when placed under pressure in the second half they were reduced to atacking on the break and City can feel aggrieved there was no equaliser and as the same time taking something from the game.
A few things. 1. Why do we have to keep the same linesman. The idiot in control of the half of the pitch City were atacking all game decided that a player was offside when they touched the ball rather than when the ball was initially played. 2. The referee bottled it by not sending off Filan. Campbell was through one on one. 3. The JJB is one of the quietest stadiums I've been to.
Four defeats in a row is not great but today we gave it a go better than we have done of late. We were a bit raggedy but can feel unlucky we didn't get a point.
No wins, No Earnshaw. Not the best of Bank Holidays that's for sure.