Jacobs off to a cracking start
MICHAEL JACOBS’ team-mates call him ‘Crackers’ – and he lived up to that name with two cracking goals.
The brace earned Jacobs the man of the match award as Paul Cook’s Wigan marked their Championship return with victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
“It’s the first time I’ve scored two in a match for Wigan during my three seasons,” he said. “When I hit the woodwork and was denied my hat-trick, I nearly walked off!”
Fortunately, the former Derby and Wolves man stayed put and played a part in Nick Powell’s gamesealing strike. Now Jacobs wants to add to his 27 goals for Wigan.
He said: “Hopefully this will start a trend. I’ve nicked a few in my time but I want to add to it for sure. The gaffer gives us licence to go
WIGAN SHEFF WED
forward and create chances, which suits me. It’s going to be a more difficult against better opposition in the Championship.
“But this opening game has been a great opportunity to put down a marker and a benchmark.”
Wednesday, who cannot make any more signings without financial penalties, were unable to cope with the Latics from the start.
They chalked up 20 points in their final 10 games last term but manager Jos Luhukay said: “This is not the team I saw at the end of last season.
“There was no feeling that we could win. We need that confidence and we have to be better at defending.” BOLD, breathless and beautiful – the Bielsa effect is reaping instant dividends for Leeds.
Marcelo Bielsa promised change at Elland Road and how the 34,126 crowd lapped it up.
This was impressive stuff from a Leeds team who, with the exception of ex-Wolves defender Barry Douglas, were the same one who drifted aimlessly in mid-table last season.
No wonder Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino rave about ‘El Loco’.
Bielsa, right, is renowned for a high-tempo game but the manner in which Leeds hassled their opponents yesterday was exhausting just to watch.
Footballers across the nation should be worried because if this is what training from 9am to 8pm does, expect a few managers to follow suit.
Bielsa, 63, said: “Our players were very ambitious