Aussie Mags is proud to bring you the famous 'Pieman's Leazes View' again this season. 
Our man at SJP brings you his unique view of the Wigan match.

Pieman's Leazes View

About 20 mins before the match started the heavens did open and it stotted  it down, and, as per sods law, we plodged to the ground and got soaked to the skin.  As soon as we got under cover the rain stopped.
 
 The Toon started the brighter of the two teams, tho Butt had to be subbed after 5 min for Zogs. A quick tactical swap round resulted in Zogs playing on the left and Duff playing a more advance roll.   Then, 15 mins into the game, the heavens opened again, turning the pitch into a swimming pool. Wigan were just starting to come back into the game when the ball was played up to Shovel in the 18 yard box, who did one of his infamous dodgy first touches, which flummoxed the defender, he slid a meter past the ball (the pitch was a quagmire) but managed to stay on his feet, then turn and pass the ball across to Scott Parker who just needed to tap it into the net. 1 - 0
 
The rest of the half was a lesson in synchronised swimmin. Shove put the ball in the net but was a mile off side.  Wigan had a shot deflected of Moore, which Given made a fantastic save pushing it against the post but the half as a whole was a wash out.  Wigans only chances where coming from defensive mistakes.
 
The second half was mostly the same, Roeder put his second sub on during the break (Taylor for Moore). About 20 mins in our defence where caught ball watching and Wigan drew the game level with a nice goal that looped over the top of Given into the far corner of the net.  1 - 1.  Virtually straight from the kick off Zogs raced through the middle of the park, unleash a blast from 20 yards that the keeper could only parry to Shove who slotted in.  2 - 1.
 
It was then a sliding match for the last 30 mins.  Shove got subbed off, he seemed to limp off, with 10 mins to go for Luq.  Babayaro seemed to be limping as well and he spent the last 15 mins hanging round the half way line with Zogs being push into a left back roll.   Luq did a belting cross from left side with about 5 mins to go, but this only proved the point that we need proved we desperately need two strikers on the pitch at the same time.
 
Quick run down....
Given: had a couple of saves to make, was no where near getting their goal and his kicking out was a bit iffy (but Wigans keeper had the same problem).
Carr: A solid first half and a bit of the dodgy second.
Titus: Was Titus, blew hot and cold as per usual
Moore: Kept things simple, was subbed at half time.
Babayaro: Needs some competition for that position coz there was times he was just bone idle. It looked like he had picked up a knock.
Solano:  Forgot he was on the pitch.
Emre:  Ran his heart out, and controlled the middle of the park.
Parker: Played a good game, scored a goal.  Was given man of the match.
Butt:  Subbed very early on.  Was hardly worth him putting his boots on.
Duff:  Ran round like a headless chicken at times.  Not quiet on the same wave length as the rest of the team.
Shove: Must have had heading lessons in the off season.  His first touch is either genius or crap.
 
Subs
Zogs:  Scared the oppo with his runs, was always a threat. Pushed into a defensive roll near the end of the game.  My MOTM
Taylor:  Similar performance to Moore but was caught ball watching when Wigan scored
Luq:  Looked a bit lost up front on his tod.  Needs some one to play up front with him.  And his boots are too red.  Change them.
 
The oppo: 6 out of 10, if they had a decent striker they could have caused us some real problems
The oppo supporters: 3 out of 10. Only sold about a third of their allocation.  Sung one song about Shearer  but that was it.
The officals:  A couple of blunders but nowt serious 7 out of 10