Goals galore, but Dale boss wants more consistency from players
ROCHDALE boss Brian BarryMurphy said his side must find a level of consistency or risk their potential being undermined following a 3-3 draw against Wigan at Spotland.
It took a 96th-minute equaliser from Stephen Humphrys to rescue a point against a very inexperienced Latics team and Barry-Murphy, whose side trailed 2-1 at the break and were down to 10 men after the dismissal of Jim McNulty, was less than impressed with his team’s opening 45 minutes.
It was the second week running Dale had played out a 3-3 home draw, while a midweek trip to Charlton ended 4-4!
“Spotland is the place to be it seems for entertainment – just not the right entertainment from my point of view,” said Barry-Murphy.
“I don’t have any major issues with the goals we conceded, I just thought our performance in the first half, even though we scored a goal, we didn’t play with the personality or the intensity that we showed at Charlton in the week or against Crewe last weekend.
“It was a very disappointing performance from our point of view in that first half.
“But the lads showed in the second half what it looks like to be us.”
Humphrys’ seventh minute opener was cancelled out two minutes later by Kyle Joseph’s near post finish and Wigan took the lead in the 16th minute via a sharp turn and finish from Callum Lang.
McNulty saw red just before the break for a reckless swipe at Joseph, but the 10 men levelled in the 62nd minute when Jake Beesley beat keeper Owen Evans to a long punt upfield and headed into the unguarded net.
Will Keane’s 77th-minute finish looked to have won it for Wigan until Humphrys met Ryan McLaughlin’s cross to secure a point.