Although the run of form across the winter period so far has been excellent for the league table, some of the performances haven’t been quite at the levels we know that Blues can reach.
And after making just 2 enforced changes following the tough game against Stockport, I have to admit I was concerned that we would see a tired Blues team scrapping out a tight game. That was not to be the case. Blues have blown a Wigan side away that don’t concede many goals, and have been handed a Brucie bonus with Blackpool’s last minute equaliser against Wycombe taking us top of the league table once more.
Blues lined up in similar fashion to Stockport, that familiar 4-2-3-1 shape out of possession that turns into a 3-2-4-1 shape in possession. Ethan Laird came back into the side after strong appearances from the bench and put in his best performance in a Blues shirt, playing as the flying wing back on the right hand side.
Wigan started bright and for the first 15 minutes, I think most of us watching felt it would be that tricky fixture that many predicted. Allsop made a strong save down to his left from a deflected shot early doors. But Blues defended resolutely, and used the ball well when we had it.
On the 20th minute, after a strong Wigan spell, we got our breakthrough. Laird put a testing ball in with his left foot, Tickle could only parry as far as Alfie May who tucked home precisely into the corner of the net. Cracking celebration too, swinging around the posts propping up the net.
10 minutes later, we doubled our lead. Following some neat build-up play, Paik pinged a superb first time pass over the Wigan defence to Laird, who timed his run well and pounced to get in behind. Alfie made himself available for the cutback and got a touch on the ball to knock into an empty net for his second of the game.
Wigan struck the post from the left hand side just before half time, but Blues were in control otherwise.
Half time: Wigan 0-2 Blues (May x2)
It was Blues’ turn to start a half strongly, as we came out smelling blood and got ourselves into good positions early doors. Willumsson found himself on the ball in the box, but his heavy touch took it away from him and he couldn’t take advantage.
Thor would get another chance on the hour mark, and this time he would take it. Paik switched play to Ethan Laird in space, who again bombed down the right hand side and beat his man for pace, before cutting back excellently to the edge of the 6 yard box for Willum to tuck away at the near post.
Blues continued to threaten throughout the half, with substitutes Wright and Dykes looking dangerous. No further big chances were created though, as Blues opted to control possession and see the game out at 3 goals to nil.
Wigan had a late chance from a corner, where it was nearly scrambled home if not for the arm of Ryan Allsop.
In other games, although Wrexham bested Posh by a goal to nil, Wycombe went down to 10 after taking the lead against Blackpool and succumbed to a late equaliser to send Blues top. A late Christmas present from Steve Bruce!
Despite a gruelling schedule and tough, physical matches, Blues put in a top performance and ended the game with a comfortable win over a Wigan side who don’t concede many goals. Huge credit to those who have played through it, and to Chris Davies for keeping faith in his tired players and getting a big response from them in return. Blues now face some much needed rest and a couple of cup fixtures to break up the league schedule in January, before returning to League One action on the 18th Jan when we host Exeter City.
Full time: Wigan 0-3 Blues (May x2, Willumsson)
Ratings
Starting XI
Ryan Allsop: 8
Ryan was as calm as ever with the ball at his feet, and made a few important saves when called upon. Distribution excellent once again.
Ethan Laird: 10 - Man of the Match
Every player who played had a good game, but that performance from Ethan was his best in a Blues shirt to date. Credited with 2 assists but also created the first goal, he's often praised for his athleticism and criticised for his final ball. Not today. Top tier from Laird and he comfortably earns my man of the match in a game where the whole team played well. Not to mention his work out of possession, his aerial prowess was top notch again today. If we see these levels from him more often, he'll turn into the player we thought when we signed him - a top class right back.
Christoph Klarer: 8
In Bielik's absence, Klarer donned the captain's armband and put on a captain's performance. Strong in the duels, composed on the ball, top work from him. Looked the part even more so than usual with his black eye.
Ben Davies: 7
Another solid, calm performance from a battered Ben Davies. Typical of him, I'll say every week, our defensive record with him in the side is incredible and for a reason. Good performance again.
Alex Cochrane: 7
Solid if not unspectacular from Cochrane, who returned to his more conservative left back/left centre back hybrid role that he played so often earlier on in the season. Handled his winger well and was tidy on the ball, didn't put a foot wrong.
Tomoki Iwata: 7
I raised serious questions of Chris Davies when I saw Iwata in the starting line-up yet again after the amount of football he's played, but credit to him, he put in a good shift and didn't look tired until just before he was substituted. Exerted his control on the match alongside his partner in crime.
Paik Seung-Ho: 8
Paik had an excellent match, and his first time ball forwards to Laird to help set up our 2nd was outstanding. Dictated play, his passing range was brilliant and he was very strong in his duels too with a 71% duel win rate. Another player who's played a lot of football, so excellent to see such a strong performance.
Willum Þór Willumsson: 7
Although Thor did probably look the most leggy out of the players who played, most notably I think he would have scored a chance early in the 2nd half where he took a heavy touch inside the box, he took his chance well and has looked technically back on form in the last 2. He'll be glad of a rest, but a solid performance from him otherwise.
Luke Harris: 7
Harris is a player who's been in for a lot of criticism recently, but I thought he played well today. Tidy on the ball as usual, but showed a bit more needle than we've seen from him so far, as well as increased fluidity in his play. He could've carried the ball forwards a bit more at times, and picked up a deserved yellow in the first half, but a good outing for the youngster.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman: 7
Taylor might just be our most versatile player. He's now been deployed at left back, right back, central midfield, right wing and left wing. Today he took up the left for the first time, and put in an industrious performance. Not blessed with pace or trickery, but his little feints and strength allow him to find space to operate, as well as being robust out of possession. Solid Taylor.
Alfie May: 8
Back in amongst the goals, Alfie scored twice - two poachers finishes that he's so good at. Found himself in space to pick up a deflected Laird ball for the first and dispatched coolly at the near post, and got into a good position for Laird to cut back centrally for his second. That skill of being in the right place at the right time is so important, and for my money, Alfie is by far the best striker at the club at this. Great shift out of possession as always and looked confident in the number 9 after his early goal.
Subs
Marc Leonard: 7
Marc came on just before the hour mark for Luke Harris, and took up his mantle in the middle. He once again showed composure and offered control, with some lovely flicked passes in there to boot. His one touch football is fantastic. Unlucky to not be starting, I hope he gets a chance for 90 minutes in at least one of the two cup games.
Lyndon Dykes: 6
Lyndon replaced Alfie May on the 72nd minute, worked hard and looked like he might get himself on the scoresheet. The most dangerous I've seen him since the Fulham u-21 game, and had we opted to really push for a 4th instead of controlling the match, he might've just got that goal.
Scott Wright: 6
Scott got another 20 minutes under his belt, replacing Iwata and initially taking the left hand side from Gardner-Hickman, before shifting across to the right at the end of the game. He started slow, but showed flashes of his directness and pace. Hopefully he can rebuild fitness and become an asset for Blues once more.
Ayumu Yokoyama: N/A
Ayumu replaced Gardner-Hickman in the final moments. It was good to see him get on the pitch - although I wish we saw more of him when 3-0 up as he could've caused Wigan some real problems. Looked sharp and put in a couple of crosses in his limited time on the pitch.
Lukas Jutkiewicz: N/A
Jukey came on for Willumsson in the final moments, and didn't make much impact in the couple minutes game time he had, as Blues controlled play and saw the game out.
