From ‘too negative’ to ‘too bold’

A point at Wigan isn’t a bad one. The sucker punch in the 89th minute makes it a bitter pill to swallow but five points from three games, including four on the road, isn’t a bad return.

We can all argue until the cows come home about substitutions and tactics. On Saturday, despite winning at Leeds, Gary Rowett was labelled as too negative. This evening, I sit in the company of Blues fans claiming he was too attacking, too bold. The life of a football manager, eh?!

Arguably, the decision to replace David Davis should have led to game time for Robert Tesche. But Rowett didn’t want to be that negative did he?

The performance wasn’t edge of the seat stuff but, for 89 minutes, it was sturdy and safe. And a simple ball across goal, a striker unmarked, has cost Blues two points. No substitutions and no tactical decision cost us the win. Basics did.

On the bright side, Ryan Shotton looked assured and solid, Jacques Maghoma was a menace throughout and Clayton Donaldson did everything but score. And as for Maikel Kieftenbeld, like a dog chasing a bone, relentless.

Che Adams came on and looked lively, if lacking a bit of fitness. But that will come in time.

There’s no such thing as a bad point on the road. And although conceding at the death makes it feel like a defeat, there’s a lot of things to be positive about. There’s a long way to go.