Wigan Athletic vs. Wolves - first half report
The English Premier League weekend got underway at the JJB Stadium where the first half between Wigan and Wolves ended at 0-0. There may not have been any goals but it was an action packed first half.
Wigan started with a traditional 4-4-2 formation, while the Wolves had a predictably 4-5-1 shape.
Regardless of the formation, it was a positive start from the visitors, with plenty of balls sent into the Wigan box nice and early. However, the Latics dealt with them comfortably.
Charles N'Zogbia then embarked on a surging run up to Wigan’s right side and almost broke clear into the Wolves box, but the visitors cleared the ball just in time. It was very much a feeling-out period in the first 10 minutes or so.
With less than half of first 45 minutes played, there was a moment of insanity, a bust up took place that actually deserved 2 red cards at once. Karl Henry, on the back of a long run-up, missed the ball by a mile and went right through Jordi Gomez, who flew
spectacularly through the air clutching his ankle in agony. Referee Lee Mason had no choice and did not hesitate in brandishing the red. It was not what the game needed, but Wolves will have to make do with a player short.
Jordi Gomez, thankfully, was back on the pitch but nonetheless, it was a awful challenge from Henry, who is developing something of a reputation this season following his contretemps with the likes of Bobby Zamora, Joey Barton earlier this season.
Wigan responded with their best spell of the match when Maynor Figueroa followed by Jordi Gomez tried their luck from range but both failed to hit the target.
Amidst all the action, Antolin Alcaraz was receiving stitches to a rather nasty gash off the field. He was back on the field as well, but the Wigan boys had surely seen the wars.
Despite being chopped down to 10 men, it was not a bad effort from Wolves striker Steven Fletcher. The Scot tried his luck with a 25-yard free-kick and curled his shot inches over the upright with Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi watching on motionless.
Franco di Santo then had a chance, and should have done better when he was set free wide in the penalty area by Jordi Gomez, but the Wigan man dallied too long and the Wolves were able to clear the ball. The match was yet to settle into any discernible pattern,
but the visitors were still well in it despite being a man down.
The home team got another attack going. It was something like a genuine opening for Wigan as Charles N'Zogbia danced down the left flank, skipped past Jody Craddock, but his cross failed to find Franco di Santo on the far post.
The first half whistle came soon after and it ended at 0-0, Wigan surely has failed to make proper use of being a man to the good. The second half may see the home team come up with a more aggressive approach and put the 10-man Wolves under more pressure.
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