A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.

I’m sure deep down that we all want what is best for Wigan Athletic, even if we all have different ideas about how to achieve that. Let’s hope that whoever turns out to be right, we are all happy in the end.

From my side, special mention goes to those who have been offended when the banter may have got particularly heavy, if not down-right out of hand, at times (I’m thinking specifically, but probably not exclusively, about LMB, Yosser, Mighty Aff, Bickymon, Duke, Zoggy, JamesC, Tea Bag Yed, PKSL and of course Donnolly and Sephton in the yoof section :) ) but just remember that it is just that – banter.

Let’s all resolve not to take it too seriously in the new year.

Up the Tics, I believe is the phrase,

Whats with Ben Watson’s passing ??? Pass completion rate cant have been more than 5% !! Yeah he runs around and is keen but if you cant pass a ball when playing in that position then its a waste of time !

Act and get rid of this manager, if you love the club get rid and if you love martinez let him go , He his out of his depth :evil: :(

Just got back in from Manchester.

How on earth can anybody assess that today? As far as Latics performance goes, I can only judge it on the first 45 mins. We were fine, played some nice football, had a couple of wayward efforts, and looked highly capable of getting something from the game, against a distinctly very average, United side, who only slightly threatened us. We looked well on for getting something. And then it happened. Right on half-time they nicked a goal. It was a poor one to concede, with Evra heading in on the back post.(Poor marking there, Ronnie Stam)

So we went in at half-time a goal down. Harshly. But still, I felt we could get something from the game. But I forgot to mention that in a mad 10 minute spell in the first half, the referee (not sure who he was?) went card crazy on Latics, flashing several yellow cards, when United players got away with identical fouls. (how typical) And then in the second half, Alcaraz, one of the booked players, did a foul well out of any danger area, out towards the wing, and he was shown a second yellow. I think it was very harsh. (I’ve not seen the replay yet)
At that point it was clear to see we’d come away with nothing. This was confirmed a few minutes later, when Rodallega received a straight red for a sliding tackle. Ok, it DID look like he went in with feet raised, but he seemed to slide for an eternity beforehand, on a pitch that had been heavily watered at half time. (Why?)
So down to nine players. They chucked Rooney on, and that Chicken-tikka fella. Rooney had one header that Ali saved, and United tried their best to set him up for a ‘glory moment’. But it was Chicken-Tikka who stole in to score a second. And that was game over. We left 5 mins from the end, to avoid the Manc throng on the tram, but were stunned to see that about 20,000 home fans had alsoleft early. Unbelievable. Terrible, terrible, fans. How would they go on watching a struggling team?

Met several of their fans today, none of whom were from Manchester. (St Albans, Kent, London, Blackburn, Oslo) It’s true. It’s gloryhunter central. Awful, awful bunch. The only REAL Mancs I saw were that lot selling scarves and dodgy souvenirs along Warwick Road/Sir Matt Busby Way.

It’s really opened our eyes as to how United really is as a club. It’s also opened our eyes that Latics DO NOT belong in this ‘greed-league’, and it really may be the time for us to go down. My dad and I SERIOUSLY feel we would enjoy the Championship more, rather than playing against 12 men and hardly winning any games. It get’s a little ‘old’ after 6 seasons.

As for the ale today, a good day. 9 bottles of ‘Desperado’ amongst other things. Nice drink that. Good brekky this morning in’t ‘Moon’, and a good tea at ‘Chiquito’ tonight.

As for the red cards, Alcaraz one match, Rodallega three. :(

What’s with the Swansea fan wearing a United Top?