Wigan boss Shaun Maloney was the happier of the two managers as his side earned a point in a dour lunchtime 0-0 stalemate at Lincoln.
Chances were at a premium, with Latics midfielder Thelo Aasgard going closest with a second-half header that hit a post.
But it was a fourth away point and second clean sheet in two matches for Wigan, with Maloney pleased to come away with a share of the spoils.
“The performance in large parts was good, if anything I’d like it a bit quicker, but I have to credit our opponents, they made it very hard for us,” said Maloney.
“Defensively they are really good and we found it hard to break through them.
“Their manager’s done a good job and they’re difficult to beat, and they’re one of the best teams in the league at set-pieces and very good at the high press.
“We kept trying to create and win the game, but we had to deal with a lot of diagonal balls and set plays near the end and it was tough.
“Our full-backs and wingers deserve a lot of credit today for how they defended.”
Apart from Aasgard’s chance, Wigan loanee Dion Rankine also showed great trickery in the City box at the end of the first half, beating three players before having his powerful shot blocked.
City only improved when Jack Moylan came off the bench and he twice tested Sam Tickle in the Wigan goal, before going close in added-on time, but the visiting stopper was again equal to his effort as he secured his team a point.
Lincoln boss Michael Skubala was left to rue a lack of cutting edge up front as they failed to break down a resolute Latics side.
“We are disappointed not to get three points – we had shots, had moments in their box, but we were lacking that final ball,” he admitted.
“It was a game of two halves for us – we started slow, we didn’t get into our rhythm and we didn’t dominate them enough, they had the better of it. But then we were better in the second half, we were the ones trying to win it, trying to get the goal.
“Defensively we were solid, but there were moments in the first half where we were too passive. The quality wasn’t there.
“They’re a good club, got some really good players and we tried to attack late on in the game, but sometimes it’s not easy and we couldn’t go on and score the goal, which is the hardest part of the game.”
On starting debutant, Sheffield Wednesday loanee Bailey Cadamarteri, he added: “In moments he looked lively and quick and he’ll only get better.
“I thought he did his job well, but we’ve got to create more chances for our number nine.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Amara Nallo Debut Bournemouth this season (LIV next) true 18 matches at once, it's just too much. Speed describing how Ronaldo smells like in his stream:"You could smell his aura. He smells like a GOAT." lol Juventus Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Manchester United have plenty of business to tie up before Monday’s transfer deadline, with Patrick Dorgu closing in on a move to Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford appears to be heading for the exit after facing the wrath of Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, while Alejandro Garnacho could also be set to depart.Chelsea are in the mix for new signings and could rival Napoli for Garnacho. The Blues are...
Marcus Rashford could be at the center of a deadline-day transfer as Manchester United have made him available. Man Utd star Rashford could be set for a deadline day move as the window comes to a closeUnited are asking for £40M for Rashford but are also open to a loan deal, per The Sun. European clubs, including Barcelona, have shown interest, but his £325,000-a-week wages have been a si...
Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho could be a last-minute scramble late into the winter window – but the club have a contingency plan in place should the Blues fail to secure a Manchester United winger before the transfer deadline, according to reports.The Argentine forward could still leave Old Trafford before February 3, when the window closes, with the club willing to sell him ...
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he does not want Ollie Watkins to leave the club amid interest from Arsenal, but said if Jhon Durán completes his move to Al Nassr then it is "good news" for the club as it shows they are doing the right things in terms of developing players.Emery was speaking after Aston Villa secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League following a 4-...
Chelsea are reportedly close to signing a new striker, Mathys Tel, who has decided to leave Bayern Munich this month. The Blues have been linked with the Frenchman, while Bayern Munich is interested in Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku. This potential deal might lead Chelsea to abandon their pursuit of Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho. Tel's decision to leave Bayern has put Chelsea on high alert ...
Manchester City are nearing a £58.7 million deal for Andrea Cambiaso this week.The Juventus full-back ruled himself out of their crucial Champions League match against Benfica. City had a £54.5 million offer rejected, with Juventus demanding £75.5 million, per The Mirror.A compromise is expected this week after Juve coach Thiago Motta revealed Cambiaso cited an ankle injury for his ...
Chelsea forward Deivid Washington is set to join Santos on loan until the end of the season. He will link up with Neymar, who is rejoining Santos from Al-Hilal. Washington, 19, joined Chelsea from Santos in 2023 but has made just three senior appearances. The loan move aims to provide him with more playing time and experience. Neymar's return to Santos is highly anticipated, as he started his care...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Are you ok ? Ange Attacker of the big EPL team Jackson , Rasford Wednesday in the Champions League: 18 games. All at once. The THREE Pillars of Real Madrid's UCL 3PEAT! CLASS ACT! Lionel Messi is FC BARCELONA! Incredible achievement. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, BleacherReportFootball, AZR Orga...
Manchester City planned to continue their January transfer window spending spree.Pep Guardiola has not been afraid to spend this month.Manchester City's pursuit of Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso is reportedly losing momentum, despite initial interest in the player. The reigning champions had a £54.5million offer rejected, with Juventus holding out for a higher fee of £75.5million.Howe...
- 1 Kerkez and £83m ace join as Salah signs
- 2 'exciting' Betis on signing Man Utd flop
- 3 Transfer news and rumours LIVE
- 4 Enzo 'trying to fix romance with childhood sweetheart'
- 5 Man Utd fans spot something very wrong with Amad Diallo’s training kit
- 6 Ashley Cole, wife Sharon, Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy on luxury skiing holiday
- 7 Meet Jude Bellingham's new model WAG
- 8 Atletico Madrid in talks for Arsenal Zinchenko
- 9 Napoli confirm Garnacho interest
- 10 LaLiga ace Alex Berenguer & model wife ‘have gun pointed at them’