Liam Manning identifies 'the really frustrating' aspect of Huddersfield Town's loss to Wigan Athletic
Liam Manning was left to rue a second-half regression and an inability to defend a set-piece after Huddersfield Town’s 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic.
The Terriers failed to capitalise on their early control and relinquished it after the break.
Ryan Hardie and Bali Mumba both hit the woodwork, with Wigan twice having to clear off their own line, and goalkeeper Sam Tickle kept out another goalbound effort with a fine save.
Wigan punished Huddersfield for their wastefulness, securing victory in the League One battle via Jensen Weir. The midfielder rifled home after a corner was only cleared as far as him, allowing for a shot on goal.
Liam Manning reflects
Terriers head coach Manning said: “The second half was just disappointing. We never really asked enough questions, or created enough to worry them.
“Especially when we went behind, the way we finished the game, I thought we helped them put a little bit. We didn’t get our delivery right, and when we did get the delivery right, we gave away a cheap foul which allowed them to take the free-kick and kill the game a little bit.
“We never really generated any momentum at the end of the game which, when you’re behind, you would hope to do.
“I thought the second half was a bit of nothing really to be honest, in terms of neither team really created much.
“Yes there were passages where both teams had the ball, but they didn’t really progress it or create anything of any quality.
“That means it’s even more important not to give anything away like a set-piece…that’s the really frustrating bit.”
Gary Caldwell’s view
Wigan boss Gary Caldwell, meanwhilem felt his side showed more “firm desire” than their opponents.
He said: “The performance in spells was excellent. There are still areas we can definitely do better, but the character, the commitment, the attitude of the players since I came in has been incredible.
“And I’ve always said that takes you a long, long way. When you have that, you start to get the breaks that we got today, and that’s now two amazing results at home, and two clean sheets.
“And the thing is, I know these players can be so much better, there is so much improvement to come from them.
“If they can keep applying themselves the way they are, then I’m sure we’ll only continue to improve as the season goes on.
“I thought the fans again were tremendous, especially at the end of the game, when we were a bit under the cosh.
“We weren’t quite doing what we were doing at the beginning of the game, getting out to the ball, which is understandable when you’ve not won as many games as you’d like.
“It’s how you can see the game out, how you can get over the line, but we will review that, we will help the players, and we will make sure we’re better for it.
“But overall I thought we deserved to win the game, because in spells we were the better team, and we showed more of that firm desire than Huddersfield did.”