CLARKE’S HAPPY RETURN EASES THE GRIGG PAIN
PAUL Cook was pleased to see his Wigan side finish off a “tough week for everyone” with three precious points from a victory over QPR at the DW Stadium.
The Latics lost talisman Will Grigg to Sunderland right at the end of the transfer window, which did not go down well with a large section of the fanbase.
But goals from Josh Windass and Leon Clarke – marking his second debut at the club – were enough to see off QPR, who responded late through Bright Samuel.
“It’s been a tough week for everyone, to lose a player with the character and stature of Will was hard to take,” admitted Cook.
“It was always going to have a massive effect on everyone – the supporters, the players, the management.
“He came in on Friday morning to say goodbye to everyone and it was a very emotional moment. He’s been an absolute hero for this club.
“We really needed the three points today, and I’m delighted for the Wigan Athletic fans that we were able to deliver them.”
Rangers boss Steve McClaren was left to reflect on a below-par display at the back, and also injustice that a late handball in the Wigan box was not spotted by referee Scott Duncan.
“I feel hard done by, absolutely,” said McClaren. “But you can’t concede two goals like we did and expect to win football matches away from home.
“The defence has been a key reason why we’ve been able to do what we’ve done this season, but in recent weeks we’ve lost the platform.”
Wigan almost made the worst start imaginable when Reece James was robbed in the centre of the field, and the shot from Luke Freeman was spilled by Jamie Jones, who just about got up to smother the follow-up from Nahki Wells.
The home side took full advantage of the let-off and went in front after eight minutes. Clarke flicked on a long ball from goalkeeper Jones into the path of Windass, who took a touch and slid the ball past Joe Lumley with his left foot.
Jones was then in play at the other end when he had to race off his line to smother a shot from Wells.
Wigan deserved their slender interval advantage, and the lead was doubled within 10 minutes of the restart.
Michael Jacobs’s cross from the left took a slight deflection and Clarke finished well at the far post.
Anthony Pilkington almost made it three, but was unable to turn in a James corner at the far post.
And a tense finale was ensured when Rangers pulled one back with 15 minutes to go. Samuel tried his luck from distance, and the ball took a massive deflection on its way past the wrong-footed Jones.
With the clock ticking down, Toni Leistner smashed the ball against the Wigan bar.
Another Rangers break saw Matt Smith evade Cedric Kipre and was only ended when the Wigan defender tripped him on the edge of the box at the expense of a yellow card.
Luke Freeman’s free-kick hit the wall, but there was still time for Smith to beat Jones to a Wells cross, only for the ball to float harmlessly over the bar.