Exeter manager Gary Caldwell felt it was two sides intent on not losing rather than looking to win in their 1-1 draw with Wigan.
Latics were awarded a penalty after 51 minutes when Maleace Asamoah was deemed to have been upended by Angus MacDonald and Dale Taylor sent Joe Whitworth the wrong way from 12 yards, but Reece Cole’s 18-yard volley rescued a deserved point for the Grecians.
“I thought it was two teams that are fighting for points and probably played more like they didn’t want to lose than they wanted to win,” Caldwell said. “If there was a team looking to win, I thought it was us.
“We picked a team with an intent to be aggressive, to attack, we played with two number nines, wing-backs, two eights and we tried to play the ball forward early, but I just felt we lacked a bit of belief, confidence, creativity and composure in the final third.
“I thought we showed plenty of effort and character, they kept going and we looked like we would go on and win.
“They scored a soft penalty and going a goal down to Wigan, it is a tough ask to come back, but after that we were the dominant team that were looking to win the game, we just lacked that bit of quality.
“I said to the players they need to believe they are going to win, but I can’t criticise them for their effort and character.”
Wigan boss Ryan Lowe felt it was important his side did not lose and he is still searching for his first win as Latics boss.
“It was a good point, but they are all good points at this stage of the season,” he said. “That was one of our games in hand and some people may look at that and go ‘if you win, you get to where we want to be’ but my main focus with the group is not to lose.
“That is the remit from now until the end of the season and if we can pick up another six points out of six games, then that will make sure we are fine and where we want to be.
“I’m sure a win is around the corner, we just need a little bit more belief and them believing in themselves. It has been a hard slog of a season so far and we still need a few more points.
“We just have to worry about ourselves. We are in a position that the group shouldn’t be in and as I have stressed many times, that’s why I’m here – and that’s with no disrespect to the previous regime.
“We aren’t scoring enough goals, we have been solid in terms of keeping the back door shut, but I want better. But for now, those boys are fighting for the badge and that’s all I can ask.”
Bryan Mbeumo could become a new Manchester United player. (Image: Getty Images)Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is reportedly hard at work to lure Cameroon colleague Bryan Mbeumo to join Ruben Amorim's squad, amidst a tug-of-war with Tottenham. Mbeumo has caught the eye this summer following an outstanding season at Brentford, netting 20 goals in the Premier League and becoming the Bees' s...
PSG celebrate against Atletico MadridParis Saint-Germain have surged to the top of the goalscoring charts in 2025, overtaking Barcelona as the most prolific side across Europe’s top five leagues so far this calendar year. Their emphatic 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Club World Cup saw them reach 105 goals, averaging just under three per game.Having ended their Champions League camp...
Simeone opens up on signing Tottenham defender: Do I want Cuti Romero? Obviously!Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has been linked with a move away from the side this summer and Atletico Madrid may be his destination.It has been an open secret that Atletico Madrid are keen to land Romero this summer despite the North London club’s attempts to lock his future down at the side. The centre-bac...
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico wants Barcelona move, but faces major difficultiesAthletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is hopeful of joining Barcelona this summer.The attacker resisted an attempt from Barca this time last year, instead signing a new contract with Athletic. However, his stand has now changed.Mundo Deportivo says talks between the parties have intensified in recent days. Nico has even e...
Chelsea celebrate their second goalChelsea opened their Club World Cup campaign with three points in Group D as they beat LAFC 2-0 in what was the first-ever CWC clash between English and American opposition.On paper, Chelsea were heavy favourites, and the opening stages ran true to form. The American side were pinned firmly in their own half, and it was the Blues doing all the running, which even...
Napoli to decide between Man Utd's Garnacho and Man City's Grealish this summerNapoli are ready to bid for Manchester City's Jack Grealish or Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho now that the summer transfer window is back open.As reported by The Sun, Napoli would prefer to sign Grealish. But they know Garnacho would be a better investment as he is younger and has a higher ceiling than Grealish ...
Liverpool Airport takes shot at Real Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold Liverpool John Lennon Airport had fans laughing after roasting Trent Alexander-Arnold for his travel choice to Madrid.The Merseyside airport joked that when the England international flew to Madrid for his unveiling last week, he didn’t take off from Liverpool—but from rival city Manchester instead.0Thanks to Los Blan...
Chelsea enquire about 342m Lyon star to replace SanchoChelsea have made inquiries about Lyon star Malick Fofana as they search for a replacement for Jadon Sancho.According to The Athletic, the Blues have made a verbal inquiry about 20-year-old Lyon winger Malick Fofana as they aim to strengthen their squad this summer.0The Premier League club is targeting right-footed wide players for the flanks a...
Premier League clubs increased their spending in the January window to £370 million -- up on the £100m paid out last year -- though Manchester City are chiefly responsible after splashing out £180m of that on their own. We were nowhere near the 2023 record of £815m, but will the summer see a rise in expensive moves?This year, for the first time, the transfer window has been spl...
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup kicks off a year today when joint-hosts Mexico get the tournament underway in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026.It will be the biggest World Cup, with the format expanding from 32 nations at Qatar 2022 to 48 teams in USA, Mexico and Canada. The result is 104 games across 16 cities in three nations before the new world champion is crowned at New Jersey's Me...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 6 'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama
- 7 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 10 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign