Frenemies share the spoils
IT WAS the sorcerer and his apprentice at the DW Stadium – but it was hard to know which was which.
Former Wigan boss Paul Cook returned to take on his long-time No.2, Leam Richardson, but the new Ipswich boss and the man left in charge at Wigan cancelled each other out.
Neither side wanted a draw, with Ipswich trying to grab a top-six spot and Wigan needing to get out of the drop zone.
Whatever happens, don’t rule out Richardson moving to Portman Road as Cook’s lieutenant, but only after Wigan’s takeover and their relegation battle has been settled.
After all, in their nine-year team-up the two won promotion at Chesterfield,
Portsmouth and
Wigan – and Cook is keen to do it again. He vowed: “We we will leave no stone unturned.
“We are desperate to get in the play-offs.
“We need results now against Bristol Rovers and Rochdale and we’re back in it.
“It was an OK game and an OK point, but we lacked quality.”
Richardson said: “A draw was a fair result. The biggest credit I can pay these lads is they are still competing.
“I’ve seen every side of Paul and can’t speak highly enough of him as a manager or person.
“It was surreal to be in the opposite dugout.”
Ipswich have now gone six games under Cook with only one win to show for it.
Striker James Norwood saw a low shot stopped by goalkeeper Jamie Jones, who came out of his area to cut out another effort.
The Latics relied on the counter-attack. Lee Evans saw a long-range blast blocked, Will Keane was twice denied and Callum Lang stabbed at keeper Tomas Holy.
WIGAN: Jones 6; Darikwa 5, Johnston 7, Tilt 6, Robinson 6, Ojo 6, Evans 7; Aasgard 6 (Gardner 66, 6), Solomon-Otabor 6 (Clough 83), Lang 6; Keane 7 (Dodoo 88). Unused subs: Evans, Whelan, Perry, Long. IPSWICH: Holy 6; Vincent-Young 5 (Woolfenden 45, 6), Nsiala 7, Chambers 7, Ward 6; Dozzell 6, Bishop 6; Edwards 6 (Dobra 71, 5), Sears 6 (Jackson 59, 6), Judge 6 (Harrop 59, 6); Norwood 8.
Unused subs: Cornell, Skuse, Hawkins.
MAN OF THE MATCH: James Norwood. Ipswich’s leading striker threatened throughout but was welltethered.
REFEREE: James Bell 7.