Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Wigan Athletic: Shaun Maloney attracts first sport as Latics boss

Shaun Maloney’s reign as Wigan Athletic supervisor started with an attritional Championship stalemate at Blackburn Rovers.

Though the goalless draw – Wigan’s first clear sheet for the reason that corresponding fixture in October – was not sufficient to maneuver them off the foot of the desk, the efficiency introduced higher cheer to the visiting supporters than the disgruntled residence followers.

Blackburn had been the brighter of the 2 sides early on however Maloney’s males grew in confidence.

Regardless of a promising begin the sport more and more grew to become laborious going, with few clear-cut possibilities being created.

By the full-time whistle it was Wigan who had been the happier of the 2 golf equipment, with a powerful and resilient show – a far cry from their defensive troubles beneath Maloney’s predecessor Kolo Toure.

For Jon Dahl Tomasson it was an evening of frustration at his Blackburn aspect toiled with little creativeness.

And but the opening phases supplied hope. Ben Amos got here to Wigan’s rescue within the fourth minute when he was down shortly to smother Ben Brereton Diaz’s shot. The Blackburn man was given manner an excessive amount of area down the precise of Wigan’s half however his end was poor, with the striker signposting his shot as he ready to tug the set off.

Wigan saved pushing as Blackburn started to expire of concepts through the first half. A cross-field ball from Omar Rekik gave fellow debutant Danel Sinani some area to maneuver into. He reduce inside, seizing on the hole created by Max Energy’s overlapping run, solely to see his shot peel away from Aynsley Pears’ objective.

Blackburn responded with their very own interval of first-half strain – Amos once more fast to answer Sorba Thomas’ Forty fifth-minute shot.

New boy Martin Kelly made his mark for the guests simply after the hour. Blackburn’s low cross appeared destined to succeed in Bradley Dack, just for the current mortgage signing from West Brom to clear the hazard.

And the Latics may contemplate themselves unlucky to not take the lead inside minutes. James McClean’s nook was met by Kelly on the far submit, however the objective was disallowed resulting from Callum Lang’s tangle with Lewis Travis being interpreted as a foul within the hosts’ favour – regardless of replays being inconclusive.

Kelly’s night time was to finish on a tragic observe, with the defender being compelled off in clear discomfort after badly twisting his knee.

Blackburn had a late shout for a penalty when Pickering appeared to stumble within the field. No foul was given.

The outcome leaves Wigan backside of the desk, regardless of drawing degree with Blackpool on 26 factors.

For Blackburn there was a sense of factors being wasted, regardless of shifting above Millwall and degree with sixth-placed West Brom.

Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson:

“We knew it might robust. Wigan are combating for his or her lives with a brand new supervisor however I am disillusioned we did not win the sport. We had passes we did not end off, we gave only a few issues away and I am happy with the clear sheet however we’ve got to be disillusioned to not win.

“Essentially the most tough factor is to attain targets. We had alternatives and we should always have had a penalty on the finish too. I may solely see from the aspect nevertheless it appeared like there was contact.

“However total we must be extra medical. We had just a few crosses however had been by no means on the precise spot so I am disillusioned we did not win the sport.”

Wigan supervisor Shaun Maloney:

“It is a good begin. We needed to defend loads within the second half so I used to be happy – it has been months since we had a clear sheet.

“The mentality particularly was wonderful. And to show in a efficiency like that makes me actually pleased. We now have 17 video games to go. They usually’re huge video games for us.

“Martin’s [Kelly] damage does not look good. We’ll discover out within the subsequent couple of days in order that’s very upsetting and devastating for him. He is a pacesetter, he is been superb across the dressing room so it is devastating.

“We had been a bit fortunate on the finish [with the penalty] however I feel we earned the draw with the work-rate. We all know we’ve got to indicate extra of that, cease conceding and grow to be tougher to beat.”