COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Wigan (H)

Moody Blues give zero – zero Christmas cheer.

The team was texted through from the club and the buzz in our ale house was most audible on receiving the news Saha would play. Now I know you have to play to get form back but is there a time limit on it? The walk to the ground was notable only for the lack of numbers that seemed to be walking that way and at kick off you could see we were on for a low attendance.

We started brightly and very early Cahill was played in and a tap in looked a formality until a last ditch tackle from a Wigan defender both robbed and hurt him.. The half then descended into dross with few chances materialising although at times the Blues played some pretty stuff but all came to nought at the business end so Jags tried some high punts but they were meat and drink for a defensive Wigan side. N’Zogbia was their speedy outlet and Cleverley a creative presence that the Blues did have to watch.

In the absence of much meaningful action I observed Pienaar and Thomas having a private battle and neither seemed to like each other, both got booked and both could have been sent off for second yellows but for a lenient referee. We had fleeting chances Fellaini headed over when well placed and a goal bound header from Rodwell was diverted over by a defender. Pienaar was jeered for not taking a shot on and as far as the first half goes that was about it.

H/T and disillusionment abounded.

The players must have had a talking to as the second half started with much urgency and great cheers were heard for a 20 yarder from Pienaar which the keeper beat away. From more pressure Jags had a stab that was well held by the keeper low down and then in the next action Cahill had sharp chance that he struck wide.
A goal surely was coming as we pressed and pressed and when Pienaar slid a great ball to play Saha in one on one he managed to hit the overworked keeper and a gilt edged chance was gone.

On the hour mark Saha was off and Beckford on to cheers from the faithful. Still no way through could be found. Coleman was a menace down the right skipping past defenders but was woeful when he got into the box and was guilty of two tight angle one on one misses when a look up and pass might have unlocked the door. Pienaar who had taken a bit of a kicking was replaced by Big Vic who was booed each time he touched the ball his contract demands being deemed laughable by the faithful.

At last a decent cross from the right and the trusty head of Cahill beat the keeper all ends up but wouldn’t you just know it as it struck the far post and back out.

Wigan we now incensing the crowd with time wasting tactics and players going down for treatment to break up moves. We continued to attack but Beckford was showing rawness in getting easily played offside to halt promising moves. We have a reputation for scoring late goals but today in truth Wigan were finishing the stronger and Diame (I had to check name for number to report that one) squirmed through our defence and luckily for us scuffed wide and the sub Stam looked to have won it for them but his angled shot was brilliantly palmed wide by Howard.

5 mins. of extra time came and went with the Blues showing little urgency to go for it. One thing I noticed when Wigan were under the cosh and defending set pieces and corners N’Zogbia was always left up on the half way line ready for a quick counter, something I would love to see us do.

Final whistle and boos all around, no singing ‘If yer know yer ‘Istory today’.

Overall a frustrating way to spend a Saturday afternoon that will have to go down as a good day out spoiled by a football match. When looking for a M.O.tM Howard although underworked saved us at the end but my shout goes to Distin who at least was consistent throughout when all others were no more than in and out, it was as if the players suffer mood swings throughout the game.

After today’s game the post match inquest, after almost everyone from Chairman to tea-lady was blamed, the consensus was that no one can put their finger on just what is going wrong and that includes the manager. We have good players who are just not showing form or consistency and not just from game to game but within games as well. Much for manager and players to ponder on methinks.

Today I looked forward to watching the Fellaini/Rodwell pairing as it looked most promising at Chelsea second half but that too left me disappointed as it never seemed to fire in the way I thought it might; still, if they get as much game time as Saha then who knows. I am most disappointed with our strikers this season in fact I don’t think we have one worthy of a start and I do wonder when Arteta is back if the manager would consider Cahill up front? It might just be worth a go as little else seems to have worked this season so far.

Man City away next and on today’s display ‘God help us’ Luckily no two games are the same and a week’s hard training and frank talking may yet spring a surprise at Arab HQ. See you there
UP THE BLUES

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