Stoke 0 Wigan (0) 1 – 18/4/23 7.45
Typically, City lose to the bottom side. That’s 4 games in a row of abysmal football & results (after 5 excellent games). They looked like the reserve side, & played like them. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
–
Yep, Wigan are bottom of the league, they’ve lost their last 3, and their record vs Alex Neil is chronic (Neil wins 67% of the time against them, 100% if he’s at home!). So Alex makes SIX changes (it’s like having Nathan Jones back!). In come ineffectual Capt Baker, tall Connor Taylor, mysterious Bersant Celina, and daft-as-a-brush Nick Powell. James McClean has even turned up for Wigan to annoy us. As such, my money’s on the Latics! And remember, lowest crowd of the season so far is Blackburn’s 17,427. So far.
–
00.42 Nick daft-as-brush Powell gets the ball right in front of goal…and decides to pass it!! …badly!!! He’s a nut, isn’t he!
–
19.30 Jordan Thompson follows Josh Tymon in shooting wide of the post from distance. Well, it keeps them happy.
–
26.50 Jordan Thompson takes out a player likes playing against West Brom! He’s immediately yellow carded. D’oh!
–
31.10 Jacob Brown, who looks like he might have a hamstring problem is replaced by Tyrese Campbell. Powell immediately swaps places with him. I mean, can you see Tyrese trying to be Jacob Brown!
–
33.20 Bonham makes a decent save low down to his left, holding on to the ball. Meanwhile Tyrese goes wide! Is he really going to try to be Jacob??
–
45+3 Thank god that’s over. HT City reserves 0 Relegated Wigan 0
–
Attendance is 17,726, third lowest of the season, but less than 300 more than the lowest.
–
53.58 0-1 !!! Will Keane lashes home as Stoke fail to clear a harmless looking cross from their right. He has time for TWO touches! Stoke look silly now!
–
57.20 Stoke crowd launch into grim attack on James McClean, but he just encourages it. Wigan fans too few to break into, “You must be rubbish, we’re winning away!” They’re gamely having a go at the Hokey-Cokey though!
–
61.55 Hoever replaces Celina. Celina hasn’t fitted in at all.
–
63.30 Capt Darkikwa misses an affective open goal as Bonham is drawn away. He doesn’t miss by much though!
–
69.20 Will Smallbone replaces disgruntled Baker, who takes his time coming off. Oh dear.
–
74.35 Free kick surprisingly finds Fox on the far side, but he blasts over. But where was Tosh? (Josh Tymon = Tosh)
–
78.21 Surprised Nick Powell has lasted this long. He has the look of someone who’s just come from getting a gin and tonic, or on his way to have one.
–
89.15 Stoke caught on the break, but the ball is cleared off the line. However much we can mock Rekik for not scoring or cheer Fox for the clearance, it’s all pretty weak.
–
90+2 Powell scuffles with poor Whatmough as Jack blocks him. Nick lucky to get away with that. (Well, he is yellowed!) All those Gin & Tonics!!
–
FT boos for City as they lose 0-1 to the Latics. Just as predicted…
