Wigan Press Reports

By Longsider
September 30 2004

We bring you some press reports covering the game at Wigan last night. Our first report comes from the Sporting Life whilst the second one is from the Daily Telegraph.

Wigan 0 Burnley 0

Sporting Life

Wigan were held to a scrappy goalless draw against Lancashire rivals Burnley at a rain-lashed JJB Stadium, where the scouts who had come to watch Latics' striker Nathan Ellington would have doubtless left disappointed.

Wigan's millionaire chairman Dave Whelan has reportedly slapped a prohibitive £12million price tag on Ellington's head, but on this evidence there would be few takers at any price.

The six-goal striker began in a lively enough manner but ended up continually being caught offside and failed to force Danny Coyne into a meaningful save throughout the 90 minutes as Wigan failed to continue their run of rich form.

Saturday's 3-3 draw at Wolves, coupled with Ipswich's victory over Millwall the following day, had seen lose Wigan lose their grip on the Championship lead.

Both sides were unchanged from their weekend matches and after six minutes the visitors, still buoyant from their emphatic 3-0 routing of Crewe three days earlier, signalled their attacking intent.

The in-form Robbie Blake found space inside the Wigan box before finding Ian Moore, who turned neatly before firing in an effort which John Filan held comfortably.

The threat of Ellington loomed large, however, and after 21 minutes he glided past Michael Duff before crossing for Roberts, whose low effort from just six yards was blocked.

The visitors, served effectively by the tenacity of England Under-21 star Richard Chaplow at the heart of midfield and the impish alertness of Blake and Moore up front, began to gain a foothold on the game.

Goalscoring chances remained at a premium, however, for both sides, until three minutes before the interval when Roberts missed the half's best chance.

Wigan defender Leighton Baines played the ball short to Jimmy Bullard who crossed low from the left flank only for Roberts to side-foot wide.

As the second period began Wigan predictably upped the tempo but were unable to penetrate Burnley's backline, who repelled wave after wave of attacks.

And after Latics midfielder Lee McCulloch fired inexplicably wide when well placed inside the vistors' box, Burnley's confidence grew.

John McGreal was then booked for hacking down Ellington, which epitomised the Clarets' cynical yet essential determination to nullify the threat of the former Bristol Rovers man.

Continually being caught offside became another growing source of frustration for Ellington and Roberts, as Wigan failed to capitalise on their growing residence in the visitors' half for long periods.

Suitably inspired, Burnley began to mount fleeting counter-attacking ripostes which, while never actually threatening the home goal, gave rise to the idea that Steve Cotterill's side may actually go and pilfer the points.

That view was given further credence with 14 minutes remaining when Duff headed over from seven yards out before McCulloch fired in a fizzing 30-yard effort which the under-employed Coyne turned around the post.

Burnley substitute Jean Louis Valois then blazed wildly over from inside the Wigan box when well placed to ensure the game remained goalless.

Teams

Wigan Filan, Wright, Breckin, Jackson, Baines, Teale (Graham 67), Bullard, Frandsen, McCulloch, Jason Roberts, Ellington.

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Thome, Mahon, Eaden.

Burnley Coyne, Duff, McGreal, Sinclair, Camara, Roche (Valois 82), Chaplow, Grant, Branch, Moore, Blake.

Subs Not Used: Jensen, O'Neill, Pilkington, Townsend.

Booked: Moore, Roche, McGreal.

Att: 9,746

Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).

 

WIGAN DO ENOUGH TO KEEP SLATE CLEAN

Daily Telegraph

Wigan maintained their unbeaten league start but scorned the chance to regain Championship pole position, after being held to a disappointing goal-less draw by Burnley at the JJB Stadium last night.

The visitors' dogged defence prevented Wigan from scoring in the league for the only time this season although neither team was able to create effectively in blustery conditions made even more wretched by torrential rain throughout the second half.

Paul Jewell, the Wigan manager, had criticised his defence for leaking goals in a 3-3 draw at Wolverhampton at the weekend. Against Burnley there was no cutting edge up front with Jason Roberts and Nathan Ellington, arguably the best striking partnership outside the Premiership, effectively shackled by Burnley. In fairness, a lack of quality crosses did not help the home front-runners' attempts to break the deadlock.

"It was a poor game and we didn't do enough to win," Jewell admitted. "We didn't have the craft or guile to break them down and all credit to Burnley for making it difficult for us."

Burnley's main attacking threat was on the break, particularly in the first half which began with Robbie Blake playing the ball to Ian Moore whose shot on the turn was comfortably held by the Wigan goalkeeper John Filan.

Wigan responded shortly before the break, Roberts driving narrowly wide while Ellington smacked a 25-yard free kick straight at visiting goalkeeper Danny Coyne.

Wigan dominated the second half but they became increasingly frustrated at their inability to snap visiting resolve, although Lee McCulloch twice came close.

Burnley had late opportunities, Graham Branch heading over while substitute Jean Louis Balois carelessly fired over.