[retired_Rivkia147]

Yeah, we need something next week. Thought Taylor would could good for us, the injury apart, he hasn't looked the talent he was when he first arrived.

Also shows how reliant we are on having a big man up top. Selling Folan looks worse business by the week.

[retired_gitfresh]

Oh well there is always this "warchest" to finally open in January that Whelan has been banging on about for 3 years. There must be £50m in it by now.

Just hope they can find the key that seems to have gone missing

[anon414]

Hi Batch, what were our lot like, was away and couldnt listen to the game

[retired_gitfresh]

Whats "our lot" mean ? If you meant the travelling fans then if it hadn't been for them then you could have heard a pin drop, seeing as we have the worst fans in the country.

[retired_gitfresh]

:thdn: one of the Sunday papers reckon we could be forced to pay £4.2m for Andy Webster :eek:

[retired_gitfresh]

DAVE Whelan is not prepared to tolerate the type of Wigan Athletic performance served up in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Portsmouth.

And the Wigan chairman is also alarmed by the side's slide to 15th in the Premier League.

The Latics have not won since early August and another relegation battle appears inevitable.

Key players, including England striker Emile Heskey and skipper Mario Melchiot, are sidelined through injury and the pressure is increasing on manager Chris Hutchings.

Whelan told M.E.N. Sport: "I was very disappointed with the effort and attitude of a few players last Saturday. It was a big letdown. Much better was expected.

"I simply cannot stand watching a team not giving 100 per cent.

Trademark

"Wigan's trademark has been a never-say-die attitude and a desire to fight to the death.

"This has been lacking and I don't want to see a repeat of the Portsmouth performance.

"I speak with Chris Hutchings a couple of days after every game and I merely offer my opinions and views.

"I never interfere but we usually think on similar lines. That was the case on Saturday.

"The back four played well, and we were forced to go with a lone striker, but the midfield disappointed me.

"Emile Heskey has proved a huge loss, not only for us but for England as well. Not having him up front has been an immense blow.

"Mario Melchiot has been a very influential captain, and we saw at Manchester United just what can happen when he isn't on the field.

"We've also missed the influence of Antonio Valencia out wide, and a number of players have been forced to play out of position.

"Saturday's performance wasn't good enough but we just have to battle on. And when our key players return, I'm convinced that we will see a dramatic upturn in form.

"Their return will make such a difference and help us perform as we did at the start of the season.

"I was concerned with what I saw on Saturday and I know that Chris Hutchings was very disappointed. But it's not easy because we have a limited number of real quality players."

Tough

Wigan travel to Birmingham on Saturday for what is a must-win game.

November then serves up three tough clashes with Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, and then the run-up to Christmas sees three North West derbies - starting with Manchester City, followed by Bolton and Blackburn.

Meanwhile, ex-City man Antoine Sibierski sustained a shoulder injury in Saturday's defeat and is extremely doubtful for the visit to St Andrew's.

DESPITE their disappointing run of results, crowds at the JJB Stadium are on the up. Last season, the Latics pulled in an average of 16,886 for their first five home games. This time the average is up to 18,325 at the 25,000-capacity stadium.


-------------------------------


Tomorrow, Hutch gets a vote of confidence :thdn:

[retired_Rivkia147]

Played well, stupid goals against, but first game in a while I've enjoyed watching.

[retired_gitfresh]

Only listened on the radio, and only the last 15min at that, next point coming our way sometime in December :thdn:

[retired_gitfresh]

havent even been able to bring myself to watch the "highlights" from yesterdays game yet. such a disappointing season already.

hutch out campaign seems to be growing though. quick straw poll on one of the websites is about 80% hutch out

However, what are the realistic alternatives ? We all know that Whelan is a cheapskate, we'd be stuck with his mate Souness, or even worse, "Mr Wigan Athletic". We have less pulling power than even Bolton and look what happened to them.

Of the other names banded about-

Newell ? Why hasnt he got a job at present ? He's damaged goods after the whole bungs thing. OK we all know it goes on but there was no evidence which makes him out to be a bit of a stirrer.

Martinez ? Lets not go there yet. He'll be a top manager one day, and probably will eventually return "home" to manage us but this is too soon.

Martin Allen ? Yeah, like Whelan would employ someone who would answer him back / question his ambitions for the club.

[retired_amadhani]

I can't see Souness getting anyone relegated tbh. You would do well to get him.