Column

Heavy Weather!

I am just getting over the pounding heartbeat, sweaty palms and the butterflies in the pit of my stomach that came with the last few minutes of the match at the wet and muddy JJB. We should have won this match much more easily than we did but I guess all that counts is 3 points in the bag, temporary possession of 4th place, and momentum going into the huge Carling Cup semi-final 2nd leg against Chelsea.

The heavy rains had left the pitch at the JJB looking a lot like a mud wrestling venue (thats a bit over the top I think,actually!) and Moyes said before the game that our passing game may be compromised.

Wigan were surely the better of the two teams as the match got under way and we had to weather attack after attack with Valencia and Palacios doing especially well on the flanks and the strength of Bent and Heskey causing us problems. Cahill had a good shot on goal from a AJ cross but he shot straight at Kirkland.

We had precious little to show in the first half after that until Bramble decided to risk a back pass on the soggy pitch which he miskicked... AJ pounced on it drove forward and when one on one with Kirkland, nutmegged him and opened the scoring. From a corner soon afterwards, there was a scramble inside the box and the ball fell to Lescott at the far post (unmarked,thankfully for us!) who prodded it home like a striker to send us into the break 2 goals up when just a few moments earlier we would have been glad to be going into the break all even!

The second half started as expected with Wigan throwing on attacking subs and piling on the pressure and, from a free kick, Howard came out but missed the ball (sadly Jagielka didn't)... the ball cannoned off him into the net and the game was on again.

We did pretty well to absorb most of the pressure with a few good attacks ourselves, Ossie shooting just wide when I think he should have scored. Vaughan came on with a quarter of an hour to go and he immediately looked lively and was almost in on goal once. Tthe last few minutes were nerve-wracking but we held on for a hard-earned win.

The team assessment is as follows:

Howard: Came out and flapped at the free kick that led to the Wigan goal...his kicking was poor today too.

Hibbert: Had a decent game again today but picked up a yellow and will miss the Spurs game.

Jagielka: Had a good game until the point at which he guided the ball into our goal... actually after that he did well too.

Lescott: Good game again; defensively strong and pops up to score again ? he is a legend in the making!

Valente: Didn't do too much wrong but Valencia ran him ragged towards the end of the 2nd half.

Carsley: So many tackles to break down Wigan attacks... an invaluable member of our team (which we all know!)

Neville: Gave the ball away a few times as always; get him back at RB for the Chelsea game ? he is not a midfielder.

Cahill: Played hard as always; may have done better with his shot on goal in the 1st half.

Osman: Great to see little Ossie back for us; hope he is cleared to play against Chelsea...

Johnson: Clinical finish when he got a chance and hard-working performance on a soggy pitch.

Vaughan (Sub): Looked very lively when he came on; actually hope he gets to play a part in the Chelsea game coz he will make it count for sure...

Moyes: Did well to send on Vaughan to try and settle the game but I think he got the midfield wrong: Neville shoulda been at RB with Manny in the middle... but worked out ok anyways.

So we have the MASSIVE game coming up in a few days and I for one and very excited (and nervous). I will hope and pray that we can do the needful on a famous night at Goodison and move towards an achievable goal (the Carling Cup Final!!)

Then it's back to the league against Spurs which will be tough too... but we have the belief, skill and hard work to beat anyone on the day now and long may this continue. COYB

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