Richardson left to take ‘golden’ point after Fox sees red
WIGAN assistant boss Leam Richardson focused on the positives after the 10-man Latics played out a goalless draw at Oakwell.
A point does little for either side with Barnsley still propping up the table, three points from safety and with an inferior goal difference.
Wigan are 15th but the 12-point penalty that will likely come their way – for entering administration – would send them bottom, four points adrift.
There was plenty of effort but little quality or clear-cut chances with Barnsley coming closest through Jacob Brown and Callum Styles at the death.
The hosts perhaps edged the contest on the balance of play but Wigan posed a constant threat on the counterattack and actually had the better chances after Danny Fox’s dismissal.
Cedric Kipre was a rock in defence for the visitors, who ended the match a man down following a straight red card for defender Fox for a high tackle on Elliot Simoes which means he will now miss the Latics’ run-in.
Wigan could already have been down to 10 men at that point.
But Antonee Robinson was only given a yellow card for his challenge on Kilian Ludewig which saw the German somersault over and land heavily holding the back of his head.
Richardson said: “Any points in this league, certainly away from home, are gold.
“From the positives it’s another clean sheet, another solid performance as a team collectively so we are moving forward in the direction that we want.
“Deflation is far from our mind at the minute.
“We’re realistic with the current situation that other people are facing. We’re quite professional, we’re footballers and we just try our best on the pitch.
“From the turn of the year the lads have been the form team in the whole league. The manager has been working tirelessly.”
Neither would he criticise Fox, saying: “Danny has been great. His performances that he’s put in of late have been five star.
“The officials have got decisions to be made during the game.
“They have got hundreds of decisions – some they get wrong, some they get right – so I certainly won’t be criticising Danny or the officials.”
Reds head coach Gerhard Struber insisted his side would keep battling although he bemoaned their lack of finishing.
He said: “We are in the fighting mood.
“We have a clear plan – fight until the final game.
“Our goal was three points and the boys are disappointed with the result. But the performance was in many parts of the game in the right direction.
“We do not have the right balance to score goals.”