Charlton Athletic F.C. vs Wigan Athletic F.C. - The Match Report

Charlton Athletic F.C. vs. Wigan Athletic F.C.

Date: Sunday 27th October 2013

Venue: The Valley

Referee: Stephen Martin

Score: 0-0

Wigan’s terrible away record continues as they failed to beat struggling Charlton at the Valley on Sunday.

Owen Coyle’s side have not won a game or scored a goal away from home since the first day of the Championship season when they breezed past Barnsley 4-0.  This is a woeful statistic and something that needs to be remedied if Wigan are to make it back to the Promised Land.

Lee Nicholls, in for the injured Scott Carson, had to pull off several magnificent saves in a first half where Charlton were the better side. Although Nicholls’ only other appearance for the club came in the League Cup when Manchester City smashed five past him, he showed no sign of nerves and went on to deny Bradley Pritchard twice and, just before half time, Richard Wood.

Similar to their game in the Europa League on Thursday night, Wigan had very few chances especially in the first half when their only notable chance came when Grant Holt header straight at Ben Hamer.

Again, similar to their game on Thursday, Wigan improved after the break and looked more dangerous going forward. Ben Watson put in a perfect cross from a corner which Chris McCann connected with only to see the ball smack against the crossbar. Leon Barnett had a shot saved whilst Emmerson Boyce volleyed wide from yet another perfect Watson corner.

As time ran out Wigan became increasingly dangerous and James McArthur, Watson, and Holt all had chances which could have seen the visitors leave the Valley with all three points. But it wasn’t to be.

There are many things that Wigan fans should be pleased about: over the past couple of games Chris McCann has looked more like a footballer player and is making dangerous runs and doing the job that Coyle wants him to do, Ben Watson’s corners seem a little more consistent, and from an attacking point of view they look very dangerous. However, they are having no luck with referees and with the rub of the green so results haven’t been desirable. Wigan just need to keep doing what they are doing and it will turn around sooner or later. Just look at Bolton last season.