Humphrys the star as attacking trio shine for Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic’s front three came to the fore on Saturday as the Latics moved to within a point of leaders Rotherham United with a 4-1 victory over Morecambe at the DW stadium.

In what was a first proper hint of Spring, the sun was shining in glorious fashion across the North West as the hosts chased a win that would consolidate their automatic promotion spot.

Latics boss Leam Richardson sent his side out once more with a back three and complimented that with a front three of Josh Magennis, Stephen Humphrys and top goalscorer Will Keane.

Humphrys and Magennis would begin the game in the centre forward positions with Keane operating slightly further behind.

A central-midfield duo of Max Power and Tom Naylor really allows this formation to flourish. The pair give a platform for wing-backs James McClean and Tendayi Darikwa to provide the width and service for the attackers.

McClean’s deliveries in particular were outstanding, giving the Morecambe defence all sorts of issues and providing the likes of Magennis and Keane chances to show their aerial prowess.

Wigan have recently forged a good habit of comfortably taking care of the relegation strugglers in the division and there was no real exception here.

They put the Shrimps under pressure from the early stages with Derek Adams’ men struggling to get out of their own half and get a foothold of possession.

Wigan had set up shop and forced an early opener to settle whatever nerves there might have been that come naturally at this crucial stage of the season.

Magennis got a goal in the midweek win over Crewe Alexandra and that looks to have done wonders for his confidence as the Northern Ireland international powerfully glanced home a cross from Darikwa to put the Latics ahead.

A former Northern Ireland international, the striker had started brightly in linking up well with Humphrys who was buzzing around the attacking third, pulling off back-heeled volleyed passes and brilliantly trapping the ball using his knee from a circa 60-yard kick upfield from Latics’ ‘keeper Ben Amos.

Ex-Rochdale man Humphrys seems to have struck up a real understanding with Magennis, and the pair were really enjoying themselves against what can only be described as a generous Morecambe defence, who have now conceded 79 goals in the league this season.

Jason Kerr doubled the Latics lead just before half-time and the mood inside the stadium was one of calmness. At the break, Wigan’s stadium announcer gleefully told the crowd of Rotherham being behind to Shrewsbury at half-time and the fans now sensed an opportunity.

Morecambe had some ideas of their own however and immediately got back into the game at the restart, forward Cole Stockton forcing a handball out of Latics defender Jack Whatmough with the Shrimps’ Dylan Connolly coolly stroking home the penalty from 12 yards out, meaning so nerves inside the DW stadium were shot at.

The faithful need not have worried though as that was as good as it would get for the strugglers, and at the other end, Humphrys seemed to make it his personal mission to ensure that his side would not fall victim to dropping unnecessary points here. With the ground flat and the tempo slow, the forward picked up the ball and drove at the Morecambe defence, unleashing a strike at goal.

And though it did not overly trouble Morecambe ‘keeper Trevor Carson, it got the DW crowd going again with his teammates now springing back into action. Their third goal would come after more pressure led to a set-piece. Wigan recycled possession and after Darikwa’s cross was punched out by Carson, Naylor headed back towards goal for Keane to nod in on the line.

That Keane’s 20th goal of the season and he will score few simpler. The forward will now head off to link up with the Republic of Ireland squad for their friendlies with Belgium and Lithuania during the international break.

If Morecambe were hoping for some time to regroup after that third, Humphrys was on hand not so long after to put the game to bed once and for all.

Running Morecambe captain Anthony O’Connor down the line, the striker cut inside on his left foot only to see a shot blocked, but the rebound sat up nicely for him to finish with a real predatory instinct into the bottom corner.

It was the goal that his performance deserved after dragging Wigan out of their second half lethargy. The forward left to a standing ovation late on, to be replaced by Gwion Edwards.

It is the time of year for checking other results and it was good news for Wigan fans. Rotherham had indeed lost to Shrewsbury and the lead at the top is now just one point. Richardson’s side have two games in hand and though they missed out on a trip to Wembley for the Papa John’s Trophy final recently, the League One title is firmly in sight.

A word of caution however. MK Dons also won and are unrelenting in the pursuit of an automatic promotion spot. Any slip-up whatsoever looks set to be pounced on.

With plenty of attacking options to call upon, Wigan look well placed to return to the Championship after two seasons away.

For Morecambe it is a different story. The dreadful form of the teams around mean they’re still within a chance of survival but they must tighten up defensively. The contributions of Stockton in attack surely will not compensate for a team shipping so frequently at the other end of the pitch, and League Two could well be calling for the Shrimps again after last season’s highs.

A decisive few weeks remain.

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