The Latics put in another good performance at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, yet suffered another undeserved defeat after Terriers' substitute Alan Lee scored the match winner with just four minutes to go. The Latics looked to have done enough to earn a draw but they came undone yet again which is becoming a worrying thing of late. They played a good game and nullified the Huddersfield high scoring attack although they didn't have a decent shot on goal in the whole game so a share of the spoils would have been a fair reflection of the game. Town manager Lee Clark described the Latics' defensive performance as the best of the season by any visiting side.
Latics boss Paul Dickov could only comment, “It is bitterly disappointing and I don't think we deserved to lose. We were solid all the game and, if anything, I thought we were the better team in the second half when we got the ball down and broke well. I cannot fault the boys, however, for their effort and application. They did everything which was asked of them against a very good team. I thought we played really well and the only criticism is that when we got into good positions we were let down by our final ball and we didn't work their keeper more for all the possession we had.”
The bottom line is that the team need to start converting more of their chances as their league position, although not currently a problem, could soon change and might result in a relegation dog-fight. With several home matches to look forward to, their destiny is in their own hands and they must not let the deflection of the JP Trophy and a possible Wembley appearance interfere with the bread and butter of the league.