Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MAC THE KNIFE
Bonne’s late equaliser a dagger to Wigan’s heart – but boss Cook demands one more survival act in this rollercoaster season
PAUL COOK is challenging his Wigan team to serve up one of the great final-day survival dramas.
No rollercoaster has been built that would accurately reflect the Latics’ season.
After a shocking start, boss Cook somehow managed to haul his battling side clear of the drop zone.
Then came the devastating and controversial bombshell that new owners had placed the club into administration – triggering a 12-point deduction.
An appeal has been lodged, but if the sanction is upheld Wigan must beat Fulham on Wednesday to have any chance of pulling off Great Escape No.2 of the season.
The mathematical permutations at the bottom of the Championship with one probable points deduction are already testing.
Should Sheffield Wednesday be found guilty of financial misconduct by the EFL over the sale of Hillsborough and be docked points, that could throw another spanner in the works.
After seeing Charlton’s Macauley Bonne equalise three minutes into added time, Cook said: “Without a shadow of a doubt we have the fight.
“Our supporters and town know what we think of them. We were hurting here because a win would have been huge.
“We’re disappointed, but we will prepare really well for Wednesday and hopefully it will be one of those special final days that everyone wants, and what we all hope and wish for.”
Wigan led twice through Jamal Lowe and Kieran Dowell, but were pegged back first by Alfie Doughty and then Bonne, enjoying a fine debut season since arriving from non-league Orient.
They must now beat Fulham, and pray Charlton – who travel to their manager Lee Bowyer’s former club and new champions Leeds - and Hull drop points. Asked if he would send a few cases of champagne up to Leeds before the game, Bowyer joked: “I might send a pub up there or something and lock them in it this week.
“I’m really pleased for Leeds, they deserve it and are by far the best side in the league.
“But hopefully they will continue drinking from now until Wednesday evening.”
Addicks defender Jason Pearce, however, fears Leeds will want to go out in style. Anything less than a win, and Charlton remain vulnerable. Pearce said: “People may doubt Leeds’ focus, but I’ve been promoted a couple of times in my career, and the manager always wanted to finish the season on a high. They will be ready.”