By Kieran Heapy (Wigan Athletic supporter)
Wigan Athletic 3-1 NK Maribor – Thursday, 3 October 2013
It was a great start to the month for Nick, a man of the match performance from the midfielder/forward as he lead the Latics line in the Europa League. He managed to bag two goals and dominated a well drilled defence as Wigan looked to progress in Europe. His first was a touch of luck as the opposition goalkeeper made a blunder and Powell was able to head home from underneath the crossbar of an open goal. His second was nothing short of magical as he waltzed his way through the Maribor back line before firing the ball home to make it 3-1.
Wigan Athletic 2-1 Blackburn Rovers – Saturday, 6 October 2013
Yet again Powell was the front man and yet again he ran, ran and ran some more. As Wigan went 1-0 down early in proceedings, it looked like the midweek heroics were taking their toll but that would all change as Powell’s effortless work soon brought reward. The continued closing down of Blackburn’s Grant Hanley lead to the defender’s dismissal. A rather frustrated Hanley decided to hit the Wigan player, which left the referee with no choice and down to ten men Blackburn would face a bombardment of pressure from Latics.
Powell was at the forefront of the team’s good play and although we were unable to take advantage of his chances, he created plenty of space for the players around him. Grant Holt joined the field and Powell fell in behind him, which allowed him the freedom to dictate play from a deeper position. The best chance for the 19 year old came late on, with the game at 1-1 he had a shot blocked at point blank range.
Blackpool 1-0 Wigan Athletic – Saturday, 19 October 2013
Powell again started as Wigan hit the seaside, but unfortunately we suffered another defeat on our travels. The loanee arguably had the best chance of the match early in the game when he got on the end of a header across the box from team mate Thomas Rogne. With an open goal Powell could only was steer the effort inches wide of the post.
The encounter was difficult for the youngster and he was eventually taken off with the introductions of Grant Holt and Marc Antoine Fortune.
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Rubin Kazan – Thursday, 24 October 2013
Rubin Kazan at the DW Stadium was another memorable night for Nick Powell, as the Manchester United youngster produced a wonder striker to get Latics on level terms and earn a valuable point. The man of the match was in inspired form as he switched between midfield and attack, which left the team from Russia chasing shadows at times. That free role in the middle adds an extra sparkle to Nick’s game and whenever he’s in space he looks to create something for either himself or a team mate.
A very impressive 90 minutes, and Powell should have been the man who made the winning goal. A cheeky flick across goal meant that Fortune had the goal at his mercy only for the Kazan ‘keeper to chuck himself wildly at the ball and save a certain winner.
Charlton 0-0 Wigan Athletic – Sunday, 27 October 2013
The busy schedule was starting to take its toll and as a consequence the squad looked out of sorts in the game at the Valley. Our new young goalkeeper sparkled whereas the outfield players faltered.
Powell himself had a below par game, tiredness the key as he struggled to influence proceedings. When he did shine his team mates were unable to contribute in attack. Wigan were lucky to take a point away from the game.
Wigan Athletic 0-0 QPR – Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Same score line, different story. In what was an open game both sides battled to try and secure victory. Powell was the man to come close early on as twice Robert Green was called into action to deny a goal. In what turned out to be a physical end to end game both sides had chances, but neither team had clear cut opportunities.
After his early chances to score Powell dropped deeper to add strength to the midfield. He regularly fed passes into wide areas and tried to create space in what was a game of two very compacted and hard working teams. A draw reflected the work ethic of the players on the field.
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Kieran is editor of Pie Eaters Footie.
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