Wigan Athletic v Barrow, match thread

[April1972]

I can only recall 2 penalty shoot out wins in my 40 years of supporting the Bluebirds - Harrogate in the Unibond Presidents cup and Derby more recently in the league cup.

I have only seen two as well, but two different ones to yours -
- 1988 NPL Cup Final v Goole at Maine Road - lost shoot-out after 2-2 draw
- 2001 FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Replay at Rossendale - won shoot-out after 3-3 draw.

Can anyone remember any others?

There was the recent league cup win on penalties away at Blackpool after 0-0 draw.

[Jim]

Didn't go so can only go off comments on here and the way the game unfolded….

The big frustration for fans appears to be the first half performance when once again we've come out cagey…. So what is it then?

In the first 25-30 minutes, the co-commentator Craig Rutherford frequently pointed out problems with our shape and lack of bravery going forward. However, there was an injury and our players went over to the dugout and, from then on, things started to sound a little better. I mentioned at HT that, although the performnace seemed disjoined, Wigan had not had a shot on target. In fact, we limited them to very few dangerous shots on target in the whole 120 minutes.

I continue to believe that we have a good team and can play a bit when we feel like it. I agree with others that we tend to be too conservative at the start of games or, alternatively, if we have a good first half and get ahead, we then get conservative.

[tommy2thumbs]

Nothing prepared us for the nuclear assault of Wigan's speakers unleashing on us.

...and certain people complain about the volume at Holker St

[Jonty]

Didn't go so can only go off comments on here and the way the game unfolded….

The big frustration for fans appears to be the first half performance when once again we've come out cagey…. So what is it then?

Jonty even you must know the Answer to that !, I'm not even going to point it out as everyone else does week in week out!

I am pondering why we are only playing in 20-30 minutes spells and often only when chasing the game. By all accounts first half abysmal again, this despite Whing’s cut and paste pre match recognition that this is an issue. Mindset, belief?

[olbarrafancumbak]

Jonty even you must know the Answer to that !, I'm not even going to point it out as everyone else does week in week out!

I am pondering why we are only playing in 20-30 minutes spells and often only when chasing the game. By all accounts first half abysmal again, this despite Whing’s cut and paste pre match recognition that this is an issue. Mindset, belief?

Add attitude to the mix too..

[Beanmuncher]

It’s unfathomable:
1. One assumes the players are aware of their position, their role in the game plan, and the team shape.
2. One assumes the management and coaching staff have studied opponents’ shape and tactics, and discussed with the lads in training and pre game.
3. A shape and game plan have been discussed and agreed before and on game day. (One assumes the plan does not omit 45 minutes).

Is there anything missing?

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

It’s unfathomable:
1. One assumes the players are aware of their position, their role in the game plan, and the team shape.
2. One assumes the management and coaching staff have studied opponents’ shape and tactics, and discussed with the lads in training and pre game.
3. A shape and game plan have been discussed and agreed before and on game day. (One assumes the plan does not omit 45 minutes).

Is there anything missing?

Perhaps the players took it upon themselves to do play how they wanted to play in the second half and tore up the managers game plan during the HT team talk

[Blue Bayou]

It’s unfathomable:
1. One assumes the players are aware of their position, their role in the game plan, and the team shape.
2. One assumes the management and coaching staff have studied opponents’ shape and tactics, and discussed with the lads in training and pre game.
3. A shape and game plan have been discussed and agreed before and on game day. (One assumes the plan does not omit 45 minutes).

Is there anything missing?

Perhaps the players took it upon themselves to do play how they wanted to play in the second half and tore up the managers game plan during the HT team talk

That's more or less what I said to my mates on way back - second half the players decided to do it their way dont see how else the change can be explained!

[Scott5]

Credit to the players for the second half turnaround, whatever the cause whether Whing or them as players. A lot is put on the manager but ultimately players have a responsibility too once they cross the line and there’s enough experience in the team to manage situations during matches. Something we’ve failed to do on a few occasions and it’s cost us again with a horrendous goal conceded at 2-1 up when we should be killing the game and seeing it out. But for that we’d have a giant killing and be through t third round which would be huge for us. Concentration and professionalism, game management.
Small margins and we come on the wrong side too often.

The challenge now is to take the second half encouragement into the Tranmere game which is huge. Our first goal was a great move, ball inside the full back and a good delivery and a midfielder actually breaking into the box to finish - something we need to do more of as when we do it’s effective.
Tuesday could make or break as if we go backwards again the question will be why can we do it at Wigan for half a game but not in the league at home.
I don’t actually question the effort of the players at all but I question the set up, approach and mentality…and that comes from the manager who to me hardly inspires confidence in himself let alone to the players and fans.

[bluessupporter]

Our ball number in tonight’s draw would have been 53.

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2025/decemb ... confirmed/

[Bombadel]

Our ball number in tonight’s draw would have been 53.

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2025/decemb ... confirmed/

[blue nige]

Our ball number in tonight’s draw would have been 53.

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2025/decemb ... confirmed/

Move on !

[HenneysKnee]

I saw the (great) away attendance figure but was a total attendance announced by Wigan yesterday?

[olbarrafancumbak]

I saw the (great) away attendance figure but was a total attendance announced by Wigan yesterday?

4623 with 1575 from Barrow

[Bakewell Blue]

34% of the crowd, and very noisy!