Report by Dave Seddon - Wigan Evening Post

IT SPEAKS volumes for the massive expectations at Wigan Athletic these days when a point at formidable Bristol City is regarded as a major disppointment.

But what was the talking point among Latics fans as they headed back from Ashton Gate after seeing their side's lead at the top of the Second Division whittled away to goal difference, thanks to victories for local rivals Preston and on-fire Bristol Rovers.

It could be argued that Latics are now smack in the middle of a bad patch as, with just two points from nine, they are looking nothing like the outfit that went 24 games before the bitter taste of defeat.

It's still only one loss in 27 and, against a team that is unbeaten at home so far this season, it must be said that they seldom looked like succumbing to defeat number two.

But on the other hand, theynever looked like winning, created few, if any clear cut chances, and were a pale shadow of the free-scoring side of not so long ago.

A measure of a team's quality is how they face up to adversity and, as these are somewhat adverse times for John Benson's outfit at the moment, everyone will need to hold their nerve over the next few matches.

Why the sudden change is obvious. Latics have stopped scoring goals.

At Ashton Gate the defence was it's usual solid self but the midfield, which even in the midst of the unbeaten run was the suspect part of a well-oiled engine, stuttered and stalled, while the strikeforce of Barlow, Liddell and Haworth never looked like creating the havoc of not so long ago.

The Latics rearguard even had to cope without Arjan de Zeeuw, who was a flu victim, but such was the performance of stand-in Gareth Griffiths that the big Dutchman was never missed. Griffiths was simply superb in a well-marshalled, solid defence that coped admirably with a not too lively home attack.

In fact, the big centre back could have got his side off to a dream start after just two minutes when his header from a Mike O'Neill corner flashed inches over the bar.

It set the pattern for an impressive opening spell from the visitors as Simon Haworth was inches away from converting a cross from Barlow, and five minutes later the latter saw his header saved by Mercer in the City goal as Haworth returned the compliment with a perfect centre.

City's best opening of a lively first half came after half-an-hour, Mortimer shooting straight at Carroll from a good position. Scott Green was then booked for a foul on the same player, an action which brings a one-match suspension, and then Griffiths again headed inches wide just before the break following an O'Neill free-kick.

It was much the same in the second half, Latics having the possession but always under threat from some lively City breakaways.

Alan McLoughlin fired high over the bar after a miss-hit clearance landed at his feet, and then at the other end City's Tony Thorpe weaved his way through only to shoot straight at Carroll when he should have done better.

Jeff Peron then replaced the insipid Stuart Barlow, who is showing nothing like the sharpness that brought him 20 goals, and the Frenchman's first contribution was to curl over a super cross for McLoughlin to meet at the far post with a header that should have nestled in the back of the net instead of the arms of Mercer.

That was Latics' best chance of the match, although with 10 minutes left Peron found Haworth and his fiercely-driven centre was inches away from Liddell's outstretched boot.

The disappointment at not claiming maximum points was heightened when the Preston and Bristol Rovers results filtered through, and Latics should definitely count this one as two points lost.

That sharpness and sparkle is lacking, especially in midfield where there was a distinct lack of both guile and bite. Get that area sorted out and the rest will come because, after all, it's only one defeat in 27 games - but that winning formula needs to be rediscovered pretty sharpish.