BRISTOL ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS
JED WARD - 7
Ward made three excellent stops in the first half before eventually being beaten by Josh Magennis. Having not seen a replay of the second goal at the time of writing, it’s impossible to suggest the 20-year-old could have done better with Jonny Smith’s long-range strike.
LUCA HOOLE - 5
The right-back had been much better in recent appearances but he certainly wasn’t the only one who looked below the standards he had set for himself. Wigan were continuously able to get crosses into the box, while there was little support from those out wide when Rovers went forward, and that included Hoole.
JAMES WILSON - 5
The centre-back certainly won’t want to watch the first goal back but he’s not the only one. As an entire defensive unit, Rovers were poor for good spells in the game. On a positive note, the defender did pick out some decent switches of play.
ELKAN BAGGOTT - 6
Not as convincing as he had been in recent weeks but at least he offered a bit of threat from set-pieces and got his head on a good number of the deliveries that came into his box.
HARVEY VALE - 5
A disappointing final display in a Rovers shirt from the Chelsea loanee who has largely been excellent for the Gas. Lost too many individual battles.
JORDAN ROSSITER - 6
The midfielder got his body in the way on a number of occasions to help the Gas in their defensive efforts and was composed on the ball.
ANTONY EVANS - 6
One of Rovers’ livelier players on the day and certainly looked as though he would be the architect of a Rovers breakthrough in the first half. The timing of the second goal took any potential wind out of the visitors’ sails as they showed little suggestion of getting a goal back.
LUKE THOMAS - 5
Whether it was due to him having an off day or not being used enough by his team-mates, the winger rarely seemed to be involved.
BRANDON AGUILERA - 6
Looked one of the more likely players to make a difference in the final third for Rovers in the first half as the Nottingham Forest loanee got himself into a few decent positions but a blocked shot was the closest he got.
SCOTT SINCLAIR - 6
Sinclair was unlucky not to open the scoring with an effort deflected narrowly wide as he sought to bury the ball in the far bottom corner, which ended up being the Gas’ best chance.
JEVANI BROWN - 5
Maybe slightly harsh on the forward who has been playing out of position in these past two matches amid Chris Martin’s suspension but, as we’ve previously clarified, the 29-year-old isn’t an out-and-out striker. Very rarely did the Gas look threatening in the final third as the final pass wasn’t right or Wigan got a body in the way but the visitors didn’t appear to have a focal point.
SUBSTITUTES KAMIL CONTEH (for Aguilera, 52 mins) -6
Tried to make a difference.
LUKE MCCORMICK (for Rossiter, 67 mins) - 5
Struggled to make an impact. JAMES CONNOLLY (for Hoole, 67 mins) - 6
KOFI SHAW (for Thomas, 79 mins) N/A
Great to see the academy player of the year get a deserved debut.
HARRY VAUGHAN (for Brown, 79 mins) - N/A
WIGAN: Sam Tickle, Steven Sessegnon (Scott Smith, 69 mins), Liam Morrison (Jason Kerr, 45 mins), Luke Chambers, Matt Smith, Baba Adeeko, Jonny Smith (Martial Godo, 60 mins), Thelo Aasgaard, Callum McManaman (Chris Sze, 60 mins), Josh Magennis (Charlie Kelman, 70 mins). NOT USED: Tom Pearce, Ben Amos.