WANDERERS (3-5-2).

 

NATHAN BAXTER…3.

After such an encouraging start at Bolton, this is a day he will want to forget quickly. Questions marks on his involvement in goals two, three and four.

GETHIN JONES…3.

Normally Bolton’s Mr Dependable but his radar was completely off on this occasion. Given the runaround by Lang and McManaman.

RICARDO SANTOS…4.

The rot set in after conceding such a sloppy first goal and the captain will hold his hands up and know it must be better.

JACK IREDALE…3.

Another player whose excellent recent form deserted him at exactly the wrong time. Humphrys had the edge all day.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…4.5.

Should have scored early in the first half and by no means perfect but did at least create a bit with his service into the penalty box.

AARON MORLEY…2.5.

Withdrawn at half time and never looked near the speed of the game. Didn’t have anything like the scrap needed for a derby game.

KYLE DEMPSEY…5.5.

Did at least try to put himself around and loosen Wigan’s grip on the midfield. The only starting player who really came out with credit.

JOSH SHEEHAN…3.

Just got bulled for the first 45 minutes and couldn’t get Bolton’s passing game going with enough tempo. Can he and Morley play together against a side like Wigan? Not on this evidence.

RANDELL WILLIAMS…4.

Had a very poor first half which harked back to his difficult start at the club. Did improve marginally in the second half to put in a few decent crosses.

VICTOR ADEBOYEJO…4.

Didn’t link-up well with Nlundulu and snatched at a couple of half-decent chances which dropped to him.

DAN NLUNDULU…3.5.

Big show of faith from Evatt to put him in for the suspended Charles but he didn’t show enough intent around the penalty box.

Subs: Gomes 6, 46 (for Morley) – Made a difference in the second half. Reasonable effort.

Maghoma 5.5, 60 (for Sheehan) – Covered plenty of ground but couldn’t cut through.

Bodvarsson 76 (for Adeboyejo), Jerome 77 (for Jones), Forrester 87 (for Iredale).

Not used: Thomason, Ashworth.

Tactics: 3/10 - You'd have to question whether Morley and Sheehan had enough physicality as a pairing to anchor a midfield facing Wigan. As Bolton's passing game started to wobble against an effective press, they seemed desperate for a change of shape or gameplan to keep them in the game.

Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1): Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Watts, Pearce; Smith, Adeeko; Humphrys, Lang, McManaman; Wyke.

Subs: Morrison 67 (for Humphrys), Smith 67 (for McManaman), Balagizi 79 (for Clare), Magennis 77 (for Wyke).

Not used: Amos, Sze, Jones.

Referee: Tom Reeves 6/10 - After so much discussion about the officials we were praying that Reeves would keep himself out of the headlines. To an extent, he did, and while Bolton could complain that he let a bit too much go in the first half, his lenient ways had little impact on the scoreline.

Attendance: 24.116