Match Report: Norwich City 0-1 Wigan Athletic

One change for the Wigan team that beat Blackpool FC at the weekend, as Leon Clarke returned to the side with young Sheyi Ojo rested. The Liverpool winger has played a large amount of games over the past few weeks and the risk of burnout is something we want to avoid. Instead James McClean moved into a more familiar left midfield position.

The surprising thing was Wigan started the game well against the Championships in form team. Alex Neil's Norwich City, who hadn't been beaten in eight games, weren't at the races inside the opening 20 minutes and within eight minutes of kick off we would have the winning and only goal of the game.

Kim Bo Kyung, who is fast lending himself to be a new fan favourite for the Wigan faithful, with his second goal in two games. The midfielder who struggled towards the end of his time at Cardiff City hasn't had such an affliction since joining Wigan. His superb volley after build up play from Leon Clarke and James McClean put us 1-0 up.

It took a while for the Canaries though to respond and even when they did they weren't able to really trouble Scott Carson through the first half. Jonny Howson and Cameron Jerome both had shots that missed the target, and the one that did should have been a routine comfortable save for Carson in the Wigan goal; he got a grasp on it at the second attempt.

Unfortunately Norwich's lack of inability in front of goal wouldn't last for long and going into the end of the first and second half of the game they would really start to turn the screw on Wigan Athletic.

Our new look back for of Emmerson Boyce, Jason Pearce, Harry Maguire and Gaten Bong though held out to get their first clean sheet. It is great to see the return to form of Boycie and you realise now what a player we have been missing over the past few months. The worry for our defence though is when Maguire's month loan is up; hopefully we can extend it beyond then.

It would be unfair to say that Norwich had it all their own way. James McClean came close with a well struck strike which sailed over the bar, and if Marc Antoine Fortune could keep his composure in front of goal then maybe we would have beaten John Ruddy for the second time in the game.

As it was though we had to dig deep and find that Wigan spirit which is returning to this side. That never say die attitude which makes you run that extra yard and fight that 10% hard has been found by the lads. Although I am sure when the added five minutes went up they all had a collective internal groan.

Yet they did it! And they should be proud to have won the game. Now though we have to massively important fixtures against sides around us; first up in Leeds United at home, before a huge away day trip to Rotherham United.

Our season starts here ladies and gentlemen, let's hope our lads can keep this up!