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Wigan 3-0 Reading

After a good point against Leicester it was interesting to see how the team would react to - potentially - one of the biggest games of the season away at Wigan; and the answer is they didn't. They reverted back to the team against Bournemouth, who had absolutely no attacking creativity, and bottled any move that managed to make it past the halfway line. A couple of times a slip would break down the move - players were sliding all over the place - but, more often than not, it'd be a misplaced pass to the home side.

I've given up analysing opposition goals, but what I would say about the first is that Jordi Gomez must love playing against us, what with the acre of space we give to him, and the second saw  McCarthy parry right into the middle of the box - it's something I noticed him doing at Bournemouth, and in the warm-up before the game which is always going to cost goals. It was difficult to do much more with it, but not impossible.

Reading just were completely non-existent in the first half, and only brightened up after Wigan killed off the game with a third goal. It was obvious that Pogrebnyak up front by himself doesn't work - especially when all you're doing is putting in balls for him to flick on. He plays so much better on the floor anyway.

In the second half a couple of good moves ultimately came to nothing. A lovely run from Obita had absolutely no support, and Blackman carried the ball forward well before collapsing to the ground. His introduction did seem to help lift the side, and I honestly think that Blackman could become a very good player for us if he's allowed to be, and not made into a scapegoat. He needs to become more consistent, but he's certainly shown what he can do a couple of times this season.

We would have benefitted from Sean Morrison staying injury free an immeasurable amount. He looks so much more comfortable in the 'Adkins system' than Gorkss. Hector's shown that he's perfectly competent too - and we may have been better giving him his debut much sooner. Last season Adkins supporters were saying to give him a full season - he's had it, and although we stand a great position, somehow, it's been a disappointing season. When HRK, ALF, and Blackman came on there was a definite lifting of the side - I'd probably start with them tonight vs 'Boro.

If we win tonight we go back into the playoffs. Time to finally show that desire.

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