Rennie's good for a bad stomach

Last updated : 01 February 2004 By David Clark

Star Geezer - Mark McGregor
In a one sided show of apparent favouritism, Rennie chose to see favourably for the home side, book only one player from Wigan, yet somehow managed to find enough lead in his pencil to take four Clarets' names, this in a game without a bad tackle despite the slippy conditions.

Still, his choice of decisions contributed greatly to the second half atmosphere, as Wigan's run of poor home form continued. Whilst Wigan have still to record a home win in 2004, the Clarets have yet to lose on their travels in the year, this the third consecutive away game without conceding a goal, a record that never looked in serious doubt as the defensive duo of May and McGregor were resolute in the face of Wigan's attacking threats from Roberts, Ellington and Rennie.

The defensive reshuffles of late with Roche and McGregor in the back four have coincided with the run of clean sheets and created a resoluteness that has also seen Brian Jensen return his best run of form this season, conceding only two goals in the last five games, a stat to make even Stan happy in the bid to maintain 1st Division status.

In midfield, the inclusion of debutant Wood alongside Chaplow, Grant and Little, made for a hard working quartet who ably assisted the defence and the striking options offered by Blake and Moore in a 4-4-1-1 formation, that worked well against the direct approach taken by the home side who ended the game looking lost for ideas as to how to break through the well organised Clarets lines.

In a low key first half, it was largely the pitch that was the victor as both sides struggled to find their feet and their colleagues on the slippery, largely grass free surface. Passed as playable as late as 2.00pm, the surface was quite bald in places, the mud coming through far too quickly, but both penalty areas played as normal, making for a surface of some inconsistency, Camara in particular struggling to judge the weighting of his forward passes.

Clarets opted to play into feet wherever possible, looking to get Blake and Moore into action by running at defenders as soon as was possible. By contrast, Wigan and elegance are mutually exclusive, their tactics more bully boy in midfield and whack it to the front men the only ploy from the defenders; this quite a shame, as in Bullard they possess a lively and dangerous winger with much to offer.

In the early stages of the half, Clarets struggled to retain the ball, possession conceded far too often, the ball seen much more in the air than the floor as repeated games of head tennis ensued. On the quarter hour, Clarets had the first of numerous penalty claims, this one waved away by the arrogant Rennie, as Little's cross shot was quite clearly smothered by Breckin, the use of an arm was without doubt.

Filan was called into action for the only time on the half on twenty minutes, a twenty yard sprint beating Moore's run onto Chaplow's through ball and thus seeing the 'keeper win the mini race. The Beast earned his chants when down well to his right from Bullard's free kick as the game began to open up.

Camara then went on a seventy yard run and cross, ending with Blake having a shot on the turn blocked by De Vos. Wigan were enjoying too much space down Clarets left, mainly down to Wood feeling his way into 1st Division football, something he adapted to much better after the break.

De Vos beat May to a Wigan corner and Roberts' shot on de turn from six yards should been much closer than it proved to be, the striker for once getting free of his shadow McGregor.

The admission money was all worth it, when on the half hour Robbie Blake turned on the style in a great piece of showboating as the 3.30 for Wigan pier set sail from the half way line. A nutmeg, a step over, then a sublime sidestep, left three Wigan players bemused in a five yard space, before Blake finally despatched a great cross field pass to Little, the large Clarets following standing and applauding the great ball skills of the little wonder.

Clarets were to enjoy the better of possession and territory in the final third of the half, but it was Wigan who had the ball in the net ten minutes from the break. Thankfully, Rennie spotted pushing by Roberts as De Vos headed de ball cleanly into the bottom corner and de goal was cancelled out, this just after the Beast had made a fine one handed save when pushing McCulloch's shot from fifteen yards around the post. The Clarets stood firm as Wigan tried to end the half on top and home fans frustration was summed up as Roche recovered well to snuff out a good run from Ellington as the half ended. HT 0-0.

Star Gazer - Uriah Rennie
Baines was Wigan's solitary booking when pulling Moore back only seconds into the half as Clarets opened brightly. From a Gillinghamesque position, Blake stood over the ball watching Filan's positioning intently and as everyone expected a repeat free kick from last week, Wood nipped in and struck the ball sweetly, the ball deflecting for a corner.

In a counter attack, McGregor clearly won the ball cleanly, not so said Rennie and inciting the sizeable away following, proceeded to award the first of many controversial second half decisions mainly in favour of the home side.

Bullard's free kick, whilst well struck, was held by the Beast, down well to his right collecting the ball with some confidence. Wood's neat skills set up a through ball to Blake, and whilst on-side the officials though otherwise, Blake once again booked for his petulance when kicking the ball away in disgust.

Moments later Blake should have been celebrating goal number eighteen, when put through following a neat one-two with strike partner Moore. Having drawn keeper Filan out of goal, Blake's shot was too straight and the keeper made a fine save with his legs in the best chance of the game.

May was next into Rennie's little book, the booking ridiculous as May could not retreat the ten yards before the ball was deliberately kicked at him.

As the game threatened briefly to boil over, Rennie ignored a two footed challenge on Little, but then immediately booked Grant in the next slide tackle, Grant's tackle though hard, quite clearly saw him win the ball before making any contact, the booking, his fifth, now means he sits out the forthcoming FA Cup 5th round tie.

The spell of quick cautions brought both sets of fans to life and increased the tempo of the game, Blake and Wood catching the eye with a neat string of well directed passes, defying the glue actions of the surface.

McCulloch was withdrawn in favour of long term Latic Liddell, before yet again Rennie assisted Wigan with yet another free kick decision, Bullard and Jensen repeating their earlier respective manoeuvres.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, play swung in favour of Wigan, their midfielders having the better of things and Bullard's low Exocet from thirty five yards had Jensen scampering across his goal. With ten to go, Little tried to open his season's account, but Filan got down well to the left footed shot.

Wood's drive was powerful but straight at Filan moments later as Clarets began to put pressure on the home defence, but a quick counter attack as Little conceded possession almost cost dearly. Breaking downfield McGregor was in smartly to deal with Roberts, but once again Rennie saw something 11,000+ did not and yet another free kick was awarded, McGregor earning a caution to compound matters.

A magpie landed as debutant Orr replaced a tiring Little with three minutes to go and as the game drew to its close Ellington's shot was the final action, his a hopeless effort that that was way over.

So the point gained was a hard earned one, but few in the crowd would dispute Clarets contribution and deny the points were fairly shared.

Att:- 11,147.

Star Gazer

Uriah Rennie. His choice of an all black kit, clashed with Clarets choice of the awful all grey kit. Any other association of affinity to things Claret were lost in his decision making and his constant interruptions were largely unnecessary as he strived for his centre stage role and desire to be the focus of attention.

Beer Money

The new look Clarets in this well organised, hard working style seen of late, is the route away from the bottom of the table. A couple of wins to add to the recent run of draws is all that is now required to move upwards away from the pending dog fight. Who cares if the squad is now boosted by friends and favours from other clubs? If the youngsters now in the squad make the difference, who is to care if First Division football is that we see again next season?

Star Geezer

Mark McGregor. Games involving Clarets and Jason Roberts usually end in frustration and tears. They did once again in this game, though the frustration was all Roberts'. Well shackled by the close attentions of Mark McGregor, his home debut was to be one of little enjoyment for the £2m signing. Since his introduction alongside David May, McGregor's defensive performances have been solid and consistent. This one though was his hardest test to date and he passed with flying colours, the partnership and understanding with May getting better by the game.

Champagne Tastes

The boosted squad, now includes three keepers and a host of midfield options looks to have both the quantity and the quality needed to survive the no doubt hard run in before us all. Added to that the work rate now expelled by the majority of the squad and things bode well for the playing side of the club.