Positivity, not mediocrity

It’s been a while since I felt positive after a defeat, it’s not accepting mediocrity but it’s recognising just how close Wigan Athletic pushed an extremely talented Premier League side last weekend.

There’s no doubt there was a negative atmosphere following Latics around last week after a relatively quiet end to the transfer window (let’s not forget the seven signings made throughout the month of January).

But all of that was left to the side once Latics took to the pitch against Fulham, welcomed on to the pitch by Wiganer MC Finchy.

I’m sure it wasn’t aimed at me but fair play to the club for trying something different on Saturday afternoon. I think it made a real difference and had the place bouncing before kick-off.

Latics had been much maligned for ‘making too much’ of the Fulham match in the build-up.

Of course it’s part of the modern world to criticise at every turn now but to slag the club off for trying a different approach to move tickets and generate interest feels a bit bizarre to say the least.

But the clubs efforts did have some positive effect, and officially saw over ten thousand Wiganer’s in attendance. Alongside just over two thousand from West London.

It seemed a lot more with the East stand in particular looking busier than it has all season.

The first half was a cagey affair and to be honest although we stayed in the game we struggled to get to grips with Fulham.

The second half was a completely different story and at times it felt like there was only one team that was going to win that match.

Jonny Smith was once again fantastic and his virtuoso goal nearly raised the roof off the Brick.

It was disappointing we couldn’t stay level as Fulham were genuinely rocking at that point and when it looked like we’d equalised from Ronan Darcy I thought we would go on to win.

Sadly it wasn’t to be but Saturday was a day to be proud. Proud of those young lads on the pitch, lest us forget eight of those on the pitch on Saturday had come through Wigan Athletic’s academy.

That should be a huge source of pride, we’re developing players who can take the game to a Premier League side like Fulham and not look out of place, and yes on another day beat them.

Pride that we can still get that old stadium rocking when we want to. When we leave behind the ‘bluddy ell Wigan’ and get behind those young lads and that young manager.

Trying their best to give us a club to be proud of again. It won’t always come off, they won’t always get it right but when they do it’ll feel good like it did on Saturday.

Saturday has to be the level now for the rest of the season, that has to be what we aim for as we head in to the deciding part of the season.

There were some impressive performances on Saturday. James Carragher and Luke Robinson are surely seen as first choices now, Carragher in particular was fantastic again and I don’t remember him having a poor game this season.

Ronan Darcy was key to everything when he came on and Owen Dale looked fantastic. It’s a shame to lose Silko Thomas due to injury but Dale looks a huge upgrade on a young lad like Silko. He’s hopefully one we’ll be able to get on a full time deal in the summer.

Add in to that Jonny Smith signing a new contract post match and despite this year’s FA Cup run coming to an end it was a positive afternoon to be a Wiganer. We needed that and I think Mike Danson needed to see it as well.

Shaun Maloney once again paid tribute to his owner publicly both before and after the match on Saturday. This season is about consolidation, but next year?

Who knows, but that will be down to the aforementioned Danson and Maloney.

Sean Livesey

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