Wigan Athletic vs Everton

, 5 October, 67comments  |  Jump to most recent
Match Preview

Occupying the heady heights of second in the Premier League, Everton make the short trip down the road to Wigan hoping to extend their impressive start to the season with a third away win.

The manager will hopefully be congisant of the complacency that crept in at times in the second half against Southampton last week, knowing how important it's going to be for Everton to triumph in these eminently winnable matches likes this one against 16th-place Wigan.

The Latics frustrated the Blues a little in this fixture last season and it took a Victor Anichebe equaliser to earn a share of the spoils. Moyes will be looking for more of that dynamic forward play that has yielded six goals from the last two League outings.

Though Darron Gibson is back in training, this one is too soon for him to make his anticipated return to central midfield following a thigh injury. That could mean an unchanged line-up for Moyes from the side that had whipped Saints back into shape by half-time of last weekend's 3-1 win.

Article continues below video content


Tony Hibbert is also ruled out with the groin problem that has kept him on the sidelines after the last couple of weeks so Seamus Coleman will likely get another chance to impress at right back while Phil Neville continues in central midfield.

Steven Naismith is the only other injury concern, with a calf strain making him doubtful for the visit to the DW Stadium.

The Latics will have striker Jordi Gomez available after all, though, after the red card he picked up against Sunderland was rescinded by the FA. Antolin Alcaraz is ruled out for Roberto Martinez, though, with a groin problem.

Wigan are still searching for their first win at home this season, having lost to Chelsea and Fulham and been held by Stoke so far this season. Everton will be hoping to exploit any perceived anxiety about that poor start on home turf by this weekend's opponents and record a victory that will keep them on the heels of early leaders, Chelsea. The Londoners have what looks to be a routine home fixture against Norwich City.

Lyndon Lloyd

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Reader Comments (67)

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Sam Hoare
1 Posted 05/10/2012 at 18:41:45
Same team as vs Southampton. 3 points please.
Edward Simpson
2 Posted 05/10/2012 at 18:47:59
Pretty confident that we can get 3 points tomorrow, but I'm hoping no similar performance of how we played against West Brom.

Surely now we can be consistent and actually try and stay near the top.

The next 3 games will really determine where we take this season.
Mike Allison
3 Posted 05/10/2012 at 19:43:43
I'm beginning to worry about Gibson, is his a chronic problem or should we expect a full season from him?
Mike Powell
5 Posted 05/10/2012 at 22:02:58
Even though Wigan have had a bad start to the season it is not a easy place to go.

I am hoping we can get three points but it will be very close game. Let's hope we can do what we did to Swansea, but they are more of a West Brom than a Swansea. COYB
Peter Laing
6 Posted 05/10/2012 at 22:41:44
If we want a top four finish these are the type of games that we have to win. A one nil win, no mares from Howard and a scrappy, battling display would do for me. In a season for every Swansea type performance there is the required grind of a performance like Wigan away.
James Flynn
7 Posted 05/10/2012 at 22:47:43
To heck with Wigan.

COYB

Lee Courtliff
9 Posted 05/10/2012 at 23:24:41
Obviously I hope we win but I think this has a draw written all over it. Unless of course we really have changed? I'm going for 1 apiece like last season. COYB.
Peter Jones
10 Posted 05/10/2012 at 23:25:33
Our team now and the team that drew 1-1 last year have little in common. Looking like Moyes will go with the same team as Southampton so I think we can get 2 goals at least. Wigan has conceded 2 goals in every home fixture and 11 total. And no offense, but if Stoke and Fulham can do it, so can we. If we play our game and attack like we've been doing, I like our chances.
Jon Edwards
11 Posted 06/10/2012 at 00:06:35
This match worries every time it comes around. I can see a 1-1 result.
Brendan McLaughlin
12 Posted 06/10/2012 at 00:09:53
FFS..1-1 & we call Moyes negative!
Ernie Baywood
13 Posted 06/10/2012 at 01:17:48
Wigan are't Swansea and Everton aren't an easy touch.

Fully expect wigan will see this as a game against top opposition and adjust accordingly. Press us, Harry us, and get men behind the ball.

Ultimately, it's our quality that will need to count. Get out there and play with style. Don't get drawn into a grind like the WBA game.

Dare I say, even consider Fellaini deeper (he won't but it's worth considering).

Roger Sunde
14 Posted 06/10/2012 at 02:14:25
I seen Wigan this year and they played alot better then their results. This will be a hard game, Iam satisfied with a draw to be honest.
Jack Okell
15 Posted 06/10/2012 at 02:42:12
Definitely expecting three points here. As was mentioned these kind of games will determine our season. Just hoping we will smash the Shite really. Much love.
Lee Courtliff
16 Posted 06/10/2012 at 02:46:51
I'm not negative I've just supported Everton for too long! I just think with the way we have been playing we are due an off day and our record at Wigan is not the best. They are a decent team, lets not forget that despite their league position they haven't played too badly overall. From what little I've seen and read anyway. A tough game ahead.
Anto Byrne
17 Posted 06/10/2012 at 03:11:56
It calls for a more cautious approach from Everton with perhaps 20 minutes of clinical classy football to bury them and then consolidate for the next game. It's a long season and gathering points is essential. Perhaps a point will do but in reality we should be winning these games and at the same time not getting out of second or third gear to do it.
Martin Mason
18 Posted 06/10/2012 at 04:23:00
Even the best teams have to grind out wins on occasions and this is one occasion where I'll be very happy if we can grind out a win. Style would be nice too but secondary.
Peter Barry
19 Posted 06/10/2012 at 04:39:54
We may be 2nd in the Prem and possible Prem leaders if results go our way. But to the SKY/STAR network here in Asia this weekend ours is the only game not good enough to be broadcast live . All nine other games are so that means QPR/WBA, Southampton/ Fulham, Swansea/Reading and down table RS/Stoke are all considered more important than Everton.
Martin Mason
20 Posted 06/10/2012 at 05:25:49
Peter, it's a problem faced by all of us small clubs. I'm just going to be a saddo and "Watch" it on TW.
Ajay Gopal
21 Posted 06/10/2012 at 05:20:47
The team pretty much picks itself:

Jelavic, Fellaini, Osman, Neville, Pienaar, Mirallas, Coleman, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Howard

SUBS: Anichebe, Naismith, Distin, McAleny, Duffy, Gueye, Mucha

Prediction: 2-1 & 3 points

Peter Barry
22 Posted 06/10/2012 at 05:48:35
Martin Mason # 241 I fail to see your logic Martin as its only the Everton/Wigan game that is not being shown how does that rate such a ridiculous ''all of us small clubs' comment even in jest.
Martin Mason
23 Posted 06/10/2012 at 05:54:00
It implies that EFC and Wigan is a small club match that doesn't justify screening. Keep working on it Barry, you'll get it in the end.
Martin Mason
24 Posted 06/10/2012 at 05:55:03
Ajay

Why do you think that he won't pick Coleman at RB with Mirallas in front of him? Surely that would be the side that picks itself from last week.

Martin Mason
25 Posted 06/10/2012 at 05:57:19
Just out of interest, if we win this week and win well would Gibson be an automatic return to the side. Based on how successful clubs have worked in the past I'd say no.
Ernie Baywood
26 Posted 06/10/2012 at 05:52:59
To be fair, Peter, only 2 of the games you list are being played at the same time. So they see Swansea v Reading, Chelsea v Norwich, and QPR v WBA as more important.

With only 4 games at 3pm I'd expect it to be broadcast in Oz on viewer's choice. So it should at least turn up on a stream.

Btw, if anyone knew how I could stream games for tw only I'd happily do it.

Peter Barry
27 Posted 06/10/2012 at 06:28:12
So Ernie Baywood # 247 Si it seems you agree with SKY that Swansea/Reading. and QPR/WBA are more important games than the game where the # 2 club in the Prem can possibly go top. You astound me and whats this 'same time' nonsense.
Peter Barry
28 Posted 06/10/2012 at 06:31:49
Let me repeat myself just for your benefit Ernie 'Every game Except Everton's is being shown Live. "
Mike Green
29 Posted 06/10/2012 at 06:21:51
My hope is that, being at home, Wigan come out and try to play football against us. If they do that and open up I'm confident we'll beat them. If they park the bus I think we're better equipped this year to break them down than last but it could be a draw.

There are no 'gimme's' in the EPL and Wigan should be up for it today. We're a local big club, sitting 2nd in the League and the need the points so on paper I think it'll be a really good test for us.

Prediction....... Blues to win 3-1 would be nice.

Peter Barry
30 Posted 06/10/2012 at 06:33:09
Seems that Martin Mason # 244 Agrees with SKY that QPR/WBA and Southampton/Fulham and Swansea/Reading are by, as he says, "implication' bigger games than Wigan/Everton. But lets forget its Everton just for a moment shall we, the #2 Team in the Prem are playing a game which could feasibly make the the # 1 team in the Prem albeit momentarily and this is considered a 'smaller' game than insipid mid-table games . I am astounded that you are OK with this as evidenced by your 'implied' acceptance of this Martin.
Keep on thinking like that Martin you know it makes sense.
David Garner
31 Posted 06/10/2012 at 07:00:34
Peter Barry 250
It is being shown live here in Thailand.
Every Premier League game is shown,
Mike Green
32 Posted 06/10/2012 at 07:27:34
Martin #246 - I'd say he would. The debate being is whether you play your "Best 11" or don't break up a winning side?

Gibson represents the present and the long term future of the team so the sooner he gets back into the saddle the better. It's a bit like debating whether Jelly would be an automatic return to the side on the back of Big Vic's performances, isn't it?

Vijay Nair
33 Posted 06/10/2012 at 07:39:33
Peter Barry: Let me repeat myself just for your benefit Ernie 'Every game Except Everton's is being shown Live. "

In Oz, we are on FOX not SKY, and the Wigan game IS being shown live here. So Ernie is correct in what he said.

Vijay Nair
35 Posted 06/10/2012 at 07:41:56
Scratch what I said.. looks like its a delayed telecast on FOX
Matt Traynor
36 Posted 06/10/2012 at 07:37:03
Peter, it's nothing to do with Sky, but your local broadcaster. Most of Asia now has multiple channels and show every game. Sky provide some content, and do the actual filming, but it's down to your Indonesian broadcaster. When I lived in Singapore, ESPN/STAR had just the 2 channels. When StarHub took over, they expanded it to eventually cover all.

The overseas deals are all negotiated in long-form contracts by territory. You pay based on how competitive the market is, and how much you plan to broadcast. ESS strike me as a cheap operator and pretty much pick up the territories no-one else wants, but is easily outbid in more contested markets like Singapore, Thailand.

Eric Myles
37 Posted 06/10/2012 at 08:07:21
The game is on live here in Thailand, in fact we get every Everton game live here, and I think even every EPL game is shown live.

So I guess the Thais recognise that we're not a small club, even if one of our own fans thinks so.

Derek Thomas
38 Posted 06/10/2012 at 08:44:41
In Oz it's 1.00am viewers choice and a replay at 6.00am. Will record 6.00am in case I don't last the course until 1.00am, which is likely.
Lee Courtliff
39 Posted 06/10/2012 at 08:55:14
3 of our first 6 league games were shown on Sky.

I don't think we have too to complain about right now.

Niven Teh
40 Posted 06/10/2012 at 08:41:04
Wigan is a tough place to go. I can see us grinding for a result and winning by the odd goal. Baines to score the winner? 3 points and 2nd in the league before the International break!

Will be watching it Live in Malaysia!

COYB!!!

Shaun Sparke
41 Posted 06/10/2012 at 08:52:12
The terms "small" club and "big" club are a total red herring. My wife is a primary school teacher and she is forever explaining to little children the folly of using such simple words. If people really want to describe football clubs in terms of size (for which I can never really see the point). Then why not try an alternate synonym. It may even make your otherwise repetitive post slightly more interesting.
Keith Edmunds
42 Posted 06/10/2012 at 08:59:18
Derek isn't it midnight kick off in oz. I'll be watching on foxsports internet.
Keith Edmunds
43 Posted 06/10/2012 at 09:06:24
we're a good team and should win, but 50 years of watching Everton makes me apprehensive of every game.
Ernie Baywood
44 Posted 06/10/2012 at 09:02:12
Peter Barry - whats this 'same time' nonsense

You see, Peter, Liverpool don't play until Sunday. So your local TV hasn't prioritised the RS over us.

As I also said, the game is being televised elsewhere so it's not Sky's doing and it's not the Premier League's doing (I think that it's the PL who put together the overseas packages).

There will be cameras and commentators at Goodison.

It's just not going to be on your TV. Which is disappointing for you and others in your region.

Ernie Baywood
45 Posted 06/10/2012 at 09:12:14
Midnight Eastern states, 10pm Western.
Anthony Fitzpatrick
46 Posted 06/10/2012 at 09:13:19
i am really interested to see james McCarthy up close against our midfield today.i really hope he impresses Moyes as this guy would be perfect alongside his fellow country man Gibson.His energy levels,passing etc are exactly what we need
Ken Crowther
47 Posted 06/10/2012 at 09:14:08
Peter Barry #243

Don't let Martin Mason wind you up with the "small" bit. Imo he's one of the great wind-up merchants on the net and tries to drop that one in every so often just to get a reaction. If he manages to do so, he'll challenge you to "prove" him wrong and then argue that black is white in order to keep the thread going.

I love him really; but he sometimes makes himself look like a dickhead.

Derek Thomas
48 Posted 06/10/2012 at 09:35:30
Keith my mistake 12-00 viewers choice
Mike Keating
49 Posted 06/10/2012 at 10:26:13
So it's not on in any pub in Liverpool in any format?
Sam Hoare
50 Posted 06/10/2012 at 10:55:37
I think how Coleman copes with beasejour today could be a big factor. He is one of their key players and if Seamus can keep him quiet I reckon we should have a good chance of 3 points.

This is no gimme though as wigan have been playing well and I don't think a draw would be the end of the world. Other top 4 challenging teams will drop points here.

Anthony Fitzpatrick
52 Posted 06/10/2012 at 11:12:28
How many blues will be there today as I think that always makes a massive difference ??
Peter Barry
53 Posted 06/10/2012 at 12:01:05
David Garner # 255 I know that David I lived in Bangkok for four years up until a couple of years ago. But that is True who have their own deal with the Prem. Most of Asia uses SKY/STAR and the Everton game is not on there.

Ken Crowther # 277 whats with the sometimes Mason is always a dickhead.
Yep I know Ernie Baywood # 273 The Prem just packaged a great deal hey every game except Evertons even though they are #2 in the Prem. Very attractive.

James Morgan
54 Posted 06/10/2012 at 12:38:42
Haha small club. What a pillock.

As for the game, part of me thinks it'll be a scrappy draw, and another part (I don't know which) thinks that someone is due a massive tonking from us. Hopefully today.

Martin Mason
55 Posted 06/10/2012 at 12:49:02
James, et al. I defined what "small" club meant and challenged you to shoot it down and you didn't. I retired undefeated on that one. Do I have to shoot you down again?

Actually they are a medium club by most standards but the point is that they aren't a big club by any standards.

Peter, I used to work in Bangkok for Thai Shell, wonderful life apart from all of the middle aged expats that used to hang around there. I used to be able to buy Everton gear from a shop in the WTC

Martin Mason
56 Posted 06/10/2012 at 12:54:08
Niven Teh

Where abouts in Malaysia. I worked out there in Sarawak for ten years with a lot of time in Peninsular Malaysia too. My wife is Malaysian but she so Anglophile now that she won't go back even though I can get a job there.

Ken Crowther
57 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:14:41
Martin #361

We've done the big/small club thing in another lifetime; however, to the best of my knowledge this is the first time that you've acknowledged that we might even be "medium".

We don't need to shoot you down, you've just flown into the cliff face.

James Morgan
58 Posted 06/10/2012 at 12:59:23
Martin, I think there are probably about 4 "small" clubs in the PL. Probably Wigan, QPR, Swansea and Reading in my opinion. Then you have a couple of massive clubs like United and Arsenal. Just because we aren't them it doesn't mean we are "small."

Think about what you are saying. We're not some shitty League One backwater club, we are a Premier League club with a big history and near on 40,000 a week attendances.

Small compared to Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich - yes, but generally speaking, not at all.

Rory Slingo
59 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:10:05
"Actually they are a medium club by most standards but the point is that they aren't a big club by any standards."

Nice troll, Mason. You're very good. Last I looked, Everton still had 9 league titles, making them the 4th most successful club in England by that standard.

Martin Mason
61 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:20:30
Ken

Just let me scrape myself off that cliff face.

I described the basis on why I classed EFC as a small club and that was their spending power. Small means not Big. If you were to expand on that arbitrary selection you could say, as I did, that they are a "medium" club and who's to say you'd be wrong? Where you'd really struggle is trying to find any standard against which you can class them as "Big" now except history.

If we beat Wigan today I will reclassify them as big. If we beat Liverpool I'll classify them as Universal in size.

Peter Barry
63 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:34:00
Post Removed
Ken Crowther
64 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:31:51
Martin #329

"...spending power..."

Whether we beat Wigan today or not, we won't have spent anything at all since you determined that they were "small".

Therefore if spending power is the only criterion upon which you base size, we can't have suddenly become "big" by your standards.

Or can we? Your standards seem to have the ability to change like our Northern weather. Remember that?

You are still my favourite WUM.

Peter Barry
65 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:37:21
Post Removed
James Morgan
67 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:53:26
Peter, he put his fingers in his ears and started shouting "la la la la I can't hear you."
Or as he calls it, "retiring undefeated."
Tom Bowers
68 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:53:32
This game, last week's and next week's will define the season.
It should be 9 points if we are for real. Any more abysmal displays like the Albion game will certainly convince me it will be another so-so season and nothing more. Despite some sparkling football, there are still some problems to resolve and hopefully Moyes is working on the corrections otherwise better teams than Soton will expose them.
Simon Harris
69 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:59:12
Anthony #300 - judging by the number of blues in the pub I'm in in Wigan, a sell out. It's buzzin, COYB
Martin Mason
70 Posted 06/10/2012 at 13:56:29
Peter, there are some on here who have a sense of humour and who I enjoy discussing things with and just reading their comments. There are obviously many intelligent and humorous posters on here. You, unfortunately, aren't one of them.

Ken

Modern club size can really only be measured against financial muscle which covers much more than even just spending power. Money buys success and success is size.

No, Everton can't become big by beating Wigan today, I'd just feel so good about it that I'd make them honorary big for the weekend.

Don't know anything about YOUR Northern weather mate, I live in Horsham now which is civilised and normally bathed in sunlight. The only thing I know about the Arctic wastes of Scouseland is that it's always blue on the weathermap.

Martin Mason
73 Posted 06/10/2012 at 14:19:46
Julian

My meaning was that in football today success is related to the amount of money that a club has to spend. Also, in football today the "size" of a club is determined by the amount that they win so money begets success begets size. I'm sorry that you lose me on Deleuze, I'm an engineer not a philosopher although I'm very interested in Philosophy at a laymans level. I read all of the laymens books like Sophie's World and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. With the hand that I was dealt I became a man of numbers although I hope that I'm a reasonable thinker too.

People have a go at me because they feel that as I'm "wrong" they need to put me "right". When it is difficult to make a point to somebody by argument it seems easy to just insult them.

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
74 Posted 06/10/2012 at 14:27:58
Okay, can we have less of the WUM/WOM(?!)/troll/Dickhead stuff please.

"Dickhead' gets you a yellow card, Mr Barry. Any personal posts will be deleted. Discuss topics raised — not the people raising them, please.

James Martin
76 Posted 06/10/2012 at 14:30:51
The team news is out on the OS, unchanged from last week. Good to see Moyes sticking with Coleman and Heitinga, and keeping Fellaini pushed forward.
Ken Crowther
77 Posted 06/10/2012 at 15:07:35
Martin

Compare your #329 and your #340.

See anything that might just be described and an inconsistency there?


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