_“For us to have held our own against a good team is really pleasing. I am proud of the boys – they gave us everything._ _We threw everything at the game and made changes to try and get a result. I can’t fault the boys – I am really proud of them…… We’re not making excuses, but we had to field a team that we thought could compete, and have loads of energy. I felt like we did that – the goal we conceded is a scruffy one on our behalf. It’s not what we want, of course, but I can’t fault the lads. They stuck to the game plan. Luton were in the Premier League two years ago, and they’ve still got some Premiership and Championship players who shouldn’t be in this division.”_
So commented Ryan Lowe after last night’s display at Luton_._
It was certainly an improvement on the way Latics played at Leyton Orient. The players had rolled down their sleeves, showed energy and lots of commitment.
It was an odd game in many ways. Lowe had fielded a starting lineup that looked as defensively-minded as any that Wigan have put out since the days of Warren Joyce. However, despite playing with wing backs, Jensen Weir and Luke Robinson, who rarely pushed forward and a lone centre forward in Paul Mullin, they certainly matched the home team in the first half. After 9 minutes the home side had gone ahead when Liam Walsh too easily evaded the right side of Wigan’s defence to cross for George Saville to hit home. But it did not deter Latics and they played with energy and determination, launching balls down the channels to push Luton back and create chances that might have been converted.
Latics had started out with a 3-4-2-1 formation with Baba Adeeko and Tobias Brenan in defensive midfield, with central midfielders and Ryan Trevitt and Callum Wright pushed further forward. Three central strikers had been left on the bench.
Maleace Asamoah was brought on as a second striker for the second half, but it did not do the trick. The targeted long balls had turned into “hopeful” ones and the home team dominated. However, in the dying seconds Sam Tickle came up for a corner, but shot wide when he might have scored.
Lowe retains the backing of the majority of Latics fans. He has done well to build a squad that can compete with most teams in League 1 and there is a long way to go in the season. After suffering so many dull displays in home games last season prior to his arrival, the crowd at the Brick Community Stadium are now getting more entertainment. However, their away performances have been dour to watch.
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Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com