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The news before the game was positive as Chris Eagles was rightly given his chance, whilst Steven Fletcher was asked to perform in a more favourable striking role up top and this certainly was to go on to be a big plus from the game.
Before the game settled into any kind of a pattern, we were in front from some more brilliance from Robbie Blake, it wasn't the trademark way he skipped passed Melchiot that stood out but the absolute dream of a cross that he produced with his left, down the corridor of uncertainty between keeper and centre halves, which Fletcher managed to scuff in with his right from a couple of yards out.
It was now imperative that we protected our lead and give us something to hang on to, a factor which was vital in our abject first half at Rovers, as we conceded quickly. Unfortunately it wasn't to be the case as Beast inexplicably failed to collect a hit and hope ball from Melchiot.
It was a clear sign of poor decision making, he has to be decisive in these situations if he is to go on and prove himself at this level. That being said he is still well in credit for the many match winning displays he has put in for us over the last 12 months or so.
Once Penny entered the fray, he was protected very well; he simply had to field one left foot strike that was straight at him. The rest of the first half meandered out into somewhat of a stalemate with neither side creating anything like a clear cut opportunity, the Clarets just about shaded it forcing a few corners.
Martinez had done his homework, ensuring that we were closed down rapidly in midfield and pushing Gomez and Rodallega on to our full backs. Throughout the game Caldwell and Carlisle were forced to bring it out of defence or pass it longer than they would have liked, this more than anything created a nervousness around the Turf, as both centre halves are patently uncomfortable when forced to do this.
So we went in all square at half time and we all settled down for pie n' chips. There was an almighty furore in the away end at the sight of a giant pie being erected on the Turf. The concourses emptied as they gawped in wonderment at the huge sealed unit. Mobile phones were out as they sent the photos back across Lancashire to show their mates they were in a pastry nirvana the like of which they'd never experienced before. They had eyes like organ stops as a sea of drool swept down the steps to pitchside. The centre of the pie was left largely undamaged as the Barnoldswick Barons under 12's only netted once.
The lads came out for the second half attacking the Jimmy Mac, with the game in the balance and it was us who very nearly seized the initiative as Eagles danced past a couple of challenges and found himself in on Kirkland from a slight angle, he didn't quite have the time to compose himself however and his shot was deflected narrowly wide. It was to prove a pivotal moment as minutes later the hugely impressive Hugo Rodallega superbly struck home off the post after being set up by Scotland, Penny had no chance such was the accuracy of the shot.
Clearly we now had to show more attacking intent, so Nugent replaced the ineffectual Blake. The improvement was immediately obvious as Nugent made a real nuisance of himself getting in behind and driving towards the bye line. There was 5 minutes or so where the crowd was galvanised and momentum was building but we couldn't find the class required to make the breakthrough. Just as it looked like we might get ourselves back in the game, Wigan delivered the sucker punch as Bikey gave Boyce the freedom of the area to convert a near post flick on. It was desperately poor from Bikey and we simply cannot continue to gift goals like this. Players must do their jobs at set plays.
This knocked the stuffing from players and fans alike as Wigan played the game out by keeping the ball effectively and we had to suffer our first home defeat. We only had ourselves to blame for that as two individual errors cost us. No one can be upset when you're undone by class like Rodallega's strike, but it's really galling when you analyse the fact that Penny had diddly squat to do and we've conceded 3 times.
This defeat may well have given OC food for thought as our centre backs and two holding midfield players were too ponderous in possession, we were lacking zip and tempo, the ball has to be moved quicker through midfield and I would think that a big decision needs to be taken with a natural midfield player replacing Bikey, who should move back to centre half. Our wide players didn't contribute enough, despite Blake creating our goal, nothing happened afterwards for him and Eagles failed to catch Charles N'Somnia napping for much of the game.
We have done magnificently well so far and there's no better game to bounce back in than next week's clash against Hull, if our decision making and concentration is right then we have enough about us to win the game, especially if Steven Fletcher replicates his top class performance yesterday.
Make no mistake, cut out the errors and we will stay in this league through our home form. We are ahead of where most of us thought we would be and long may that continue.