Having just watched the match a 2nd time.

This time in full HD........

I think we improved a lot defensively in the 2nd half.
Im not sure how much we can read into the first game as the 2 previous seasons have proved.

I do think Lambert has bought some quality players.

From the small amount we saw of Bennet and Pilkington they didnt look out of place and drew a number of fouls from established PL players.

With the injury to Whitbread it looks like a starting partnership of Barnett and De Laet vs Stoke.

It will be interesting if Lambert goes with the same formation or adds more protection to the back 4.

The good news is I dont think a number of players had very good games yet we still got a point.

As the starting formation was close to what we saw last season (9 of 11) it was obvious what a step up in class Wigan was.

It was obvious the speed/quality of the players is much greater all over the pitch than the average champs club.

Wigan intercepted a number of passes that lesser players would not have versus us.

Their wide speed was on a different level to anything in the champs although their final ball wasnt that great (thank God!)

The positives are that we didnt lose but we also have some areas to improve upon plus we have an extra day to recover and plan for the onslaught of Stoke City next Sunday.

The carling cup game is just 2 days later...... cant see us fielding anything but a reserve side for that fixture.

Good oppo for players like Rudd to get a game.

Posted By: usacanary, Aug 13, 22:01:37