Since last weekend’s game Caldwell has since stated that he is struggling more and more to pick his starting 11 each week. You can see why after the midweek performance in the Johnstone Pain Trophy. The fringe players, when given a chance are performing well, and yet in the league the first 11 have been fantastic.
One case in point has to be our left back position. Andy Kellett who has been used sparingly since signing in the summer played fantastically well against Blackpool and yet we have the regular started in Recce James who has been superb all season so far. It these kind of decisions that Caldwell will have to get use to making in his managerial career.
On Saturday though he got his decisions spot on.
Alex Revell was brought in for his first start alongside Craig Davies. The striker pair prefer even though Will Grigg had been released by Northern Ireland to play in the weekend game. The defence saw a massive shake up with us playing a very solid looking back four. Donervon Daniels, Captain Morgan, Jason Pearce and Recce James made it up and they were fantastic throughout. Although Recce James didn’t make it to half time coming off after a heavy challenge to be replaced by Chris McCann. The midfielder has found a new lease of life under Caldwell this season.
Yet the man who shone brightest throughout the game was Michael Jacobs. The attacker has gone off the boil of late with the rise of Yanic Wildschut in the team, Jacobs showed his class. One goal of his making and the second of his own.
The first all came from a Jacobs free kick in dominating first half performance from the Latics. Craig Davies and Donveron Daniels had both already come close to opening the scoring, when Wigan were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. Jacobs in swinging free kick fooled the Rochdale back line and found Jason Pearce unmarked in the middle of the box. The defender had the easiest of headers to put the team ahead on his return to the side from injury.
That was the only goal of the first half when you would have hope for better when we controlled the game as such. You felt that we might regret it in the second half.
That we nearly did if it have been for some poor refereeing, with a clear foul by Max Power in our penalty area was turned down. Rochdale had worked the ball nicely and Power was beaten for pace and tripped the Rochdale player. No penalty given.
Next up was Jussi Jaaskelainen to make a mistake, the keeper coming for a cross and fumbling it. Joe Bunny unable to turn in the rebound as it sailed over the bar to keep the score 1-0 to the visitors.
It was Rochdale’s turn to pay and with Wigan making it 2-0. Wildschut doing what he is so good at beating his man for pace wide on the Wigan left. It meant he broke into the box with acres of space. He pulled it back to find Jacobs and the attacker smashed it top corner to make it 2-0 and seal the three points.
Rochdale couldn’t muster much in the last 30 minutes. A well hit low effort their best effort, coming from striker Joe Bunny. Yet the experienced Jaaskelainen got down well to beat the ball away and keep a clean sheet and for Wigan to get all three points.