A convincing 2-0 victory away to 14th place Rochdale vaults Wigan to within a win off top spot in League One.
Despite being inside the top five of the table, prior to today’s game Wigan had not yet kept a clean sheet away from home all season, conceding two or more goals in 6 of their 8 road trips. However today’s first away clean sheet of the season will give hope to Wigan fans that the Latics’ poor away form may begin to change.
In Wigan’s first league game since their last gasp Halloween heroics against Swindon Town, only two changes were made from that day’s starting lineup, with Jason Pearce returning from injury to replace international Donald Love. New boy Alex Revell, signing on loan from Cardiff City on Wednesday, replaced Will Grigg.
After a chance-filled opening to the game, it was Wigan who made the most of their incessant bombardment of the Rochdale goal. A cleverly timed free-kick from former Wolves man Michael Jacobs in the 16th minute saw defender Jason Pearce escape his marker to head home between the legs of Rochdale keeper Josh Lillis.
The well-worked goal rattled Rochdale and gave Wigan the momentum they needed to continue probing Rochdale’s porous defence as the game headed towards halftime. A scintillating and skillful run from Wigan’s wing sensation Yanic Wildschut was cut short abruptly following a cynical foul. From the resulting free-kick, Jacobs’ effort was deflected agonisingly wide for a corner.
A collision with Rochdale captain Peter Vincenti saw Reece James depart for Chris McCann on 36 minutes, McCann slotting into his newly adopted position of left wing-back.
Halftime came and went, with Rochdale seemingly surging out of the dressing room as they grew into the game as the second half began. 10 minutes into the second half saw Rochdale’s Joe Bunney enter the area, cleverly keeping control of the ball before being knocked to the ground in the area. Referee Neil Swarsbrick quickly waved play-on, indicating that Bunney went looking for the foul rather than trying to stay on his feet. It was a lucky escape for Wigan, with the away supporters wondering if they would be left to rue their side’s inability to take a 2-0 lead, which cost Wigan points against both Bradford and Oldham.
These beliefs were quickly dispelled only minutes later. Yanic Wildschut burst into the area with another trademark sprint before deftly squaring the ball to an unmarked Michael Jacobs just inside the edge of the box. Jacobs composed himself, taking a timely touch, before rifling the ball into the top left of Lillis’ goal. As the ball crashed off the bar and nestled into the net, a sense of relief as well as ecstasy was warmly shared among a jubilant away end and Wigan manager Gary Caldwell.
Two substitutions were made swiftly following the goal, with Don Cowie and Tim Chow replacing Craig Davies and Max Power. Rochdale’s only real opportunity came in the form of a speculative drive from Joe Bunney, forcing a smart save by veteran goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. As the game mellowed in the waning minutes, the only remaining action was a thunderous drive from outside the area by midfield maestro David Perkins which stung the fingers of Lillis in the Rochdale goal.
As referee Neil Swarsbrick blew the whistle for full time, a deafening roar of delight could be heard from Wigan’s travelling support, clearly impressed with their side’s comfortable victory. Their delight was clearly shared with manager Gary Caldwell, who shared his thoughts with Wigan’s official website following the match.
“The pressure was on and the boys went out and produced a really hard-working team performance” Caldwell said, “at times we were great going forward, at times we defended well and we had to show all our strengths to get over the line.”
Caldwell was evidently happy to have Jason Pearce returning to the team for his first League One match since September, noting the impact the former Leeds defender made in both attack and defence. “I put Jason Pearce into the team for his defensive qualities and I think he showed them throughout the game.” “For him to pop up with a goal is a bonus as well. It is our first clean sheet away from home and I think it is no coincidence that he was back in the team and we got that.”
In reference to Wigan’s second goal, Caldwell said: “Yanic [Wildschut] showed his pace and power to get forward and he picked a great pass out for Michael [Jacobs] who showed composure to finish, and we can score more goals like that, it was pleasing to see.”
Wigan’s win extends their unbeaten run to an impressive 10 games. The win sees them remain fifth, but the Latics move within two points off the top of table, putting the club in a great position as they head towards a busy winter schedule.
