Two wins in a week sees Wigan out of relegation zone for the first time since Halloween
- After being bottom of League One last week back to back victories sees Wigan out of bottom four
- Two clean sheets in two with Wigan goalkeeper Jamie Jones in inspired form
- Boss Leam Richardson says Latics 'game management was fantastic'
Wigan secured back to back victories with a 2-0 win at Plymouth on Tuesday evening.
The Latics took the lead in the 13th minute when Viv Solomon-Otabor scored his first goal for the club.
The winger finished from just inside the box as he met Gavin Massey’s right wing cross with a thumping first-time finish.
Plymouth hit the woodwork twice before Wigan doubled their lead. Top scorer Luke Jephcott beat keeper Jamie Jones with a thundering volley, but fortunately for Jones the effort flew off the crossbar.
An inspired Jones then made a great save to turn Conor Grant’s goal-bound shot on to the post.
After soaking up the Plymouth pressure Wigan then went further ahead with a Curtis Tilt header at the near post on 32 minutes. Tilt turned in Tendayi Darikwa’s cross following a brilliant build up move down the right flank.
Wigan keeper Jones did well to save strikes from Hardie and Mayor in the second half as Argyle pressed for a goal.
Plymouth hit the woodwork for a third time when a curling 20-yard free-kick from sub Adam Lewis came back off post.
The result is huge for Wigan, two wins and two clean sheets in two sees them jump out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.
Wigan boss Leam Richardson was delighted with his players effort:
“We challenged the players before the game to get back-to-back wins and we certainly know what that means after Saturday,” he said.
“I thought it was a great performance on Saturday and the result married into that and tonight we came out on the right side of the result.
“We know how much change there has been over the last few months since February and then passing the responsibility to – and challenging – this new group. It’s not an easy task but the performances and relationships have grown over the last few weeks.
“It’s all about the new group coming together, individually as units and then into the team and being able to see through games when you’re ahead. The game management was fantastic.”
The result on Tuesday night capped off a fantastic week for the North West club. Last Saturday Wigan ran out 3-0 winners at home to MK Dons.
On-loan Feyenoord defender George Johnston opened the scoring with a header midway through the first half from Viv Solomon-Otabor’s left-wing cross.
Callum Lang doubled Wigan’s advantage after 64 minutes before Joe Dodoo made it 3-0 with a tap-in after great work from Solomon-Otabor.
Wigan have a weekend off as their home tie against Sunderland was postponed due to the Black Cats’ involvement in the EFL Trophy Final this weekend.
Latics are next in action on Tuesday 16th March, they travel to AFC Wimbledon for a relegation six pointer. Wimbledon sit second bottom of League One but have played two games less than Wigan.