adminBruce Chikuni
IT’S redemption time for Zimbabwe international and Wigan Athletic captain, Tendai Darikwa, in the Sky Bet Championship.
They forced a goalless stalemate against play-off chasing Norwich on Saturday.
But Wigan’s brave fight made little difference in getting them out of the drop-zone on the standings.
They remain rooted at the basement of the league table.
The Latics are tied at the bottom of the league table with Blackpool and Huddersfield on 31 points after 33 games.
Their situation appears to be retrievable with the introduction of coach, Shaun Maloney, who is yet to lose in his first four outings.
Darikwa’s role was heavily reduced during fired coach, Kolo Toure’s tenure.
Toure was shown the exit door after failing to win during his nine matches in charge.
Like a real Warrior, Darikwa has fought back to earn his place, keeping three clean sheets in their last four assignments.
He has been outstanding in their recent unbeaten streak, which might perhaps prove to be a turning point.
Maloney hailed his defence and cited their strike force as an area that needs attention.
“We had to defend in the second half, but I don’t think we gave away many opportunities.
“We were very good in the first half and the biggest disappointment is not going in 2-0 or 3-0 up, and they were really good opportunities as well.
“Then in the last 20 minutes we had to defend, and showed another side.
“The players were excellent, and the difference between a good performance and a very good one was that final third, how clinical we were with the chances.
“You could see in the last 10 minutes the team was very tired, we dropped deeper and had to defend, but the back five worked incredibly hard,” Maloney said.
Online Reporter