Wigan v Bristol City: the struggle for goals

Tomlin has seen better days

Quite how Bristol City did not beat Burton Albion on Saturday is anybody’s guess.

Lee Tomlin’s volley hit the bar in a fast start before Joe Bryan’s shot was fumbled around the post by the Burton keeper. Lee Tomlin blasted a second-half penalty over the bar and though Aaron Wilbraham’s header did find the net, it was ruled out for pushing. Late on, a scramble in the Brewers goalmouth brought three goal-line clearances.

Lloyd Dyer should have scored from an open goal for Burton but Bristol City dominated stats on possession, shots on or off target and chances created. Wigan also failed to score against a relegation rival last week, losing 1-0 at Blackburn. The problem for the Latics was not so much bad finishing as a lack of creativity and attacking endeavour. Midfielders did not get forward to support Omar Bogle, or him and Will Grigg when the latter came on.

We saw an improvement in the first half of the 1-0 win at Birmingham, which saw them create more. They defended their lead stoutly in the second half thanks to fine performances from centre-backs Jake Buxton and Dan Burn, who were both involved in the winning goal.

To continue this run however, the West Lancashire side needs to be more positive at times. They have scored just three goals in their last six games – their highest-placed opponents in that time being Preston. Bogle and creative midfielder Sam Morsy made reasonable impacts when they first came into the side in January but they need forward runners around them. Bristol City look capable of creating chances, particularly in the first half of games. However, their problem has been a combination of poor fitness showing in the latter stages of matches and frailties in both boxes. Centre-back Aden Flint has struggled to step up to Championship level over the last 18 months yet he is the one player that regularly plays in an ever-changing team.

Bristol City are the more creative side yet remain wasteful in front of goal and have the capacity to implode at any moment, while Wigan can keep clean sheets but are not posing enough of a threat. Both teams need to address these major weaknesses if they are to beat the drop.