More fans - less performance

Last updated : 16 February 2015 By The Chairman

The Latics fluffed their lines yet again after the £5 game offer which had increased the attendance at Boundary Park - this seems to be recurring theme after similar occurences at reduced entry games. Bottom four club Colchester ran away home with all three points after teenager Sammie Szmodics scored the only goal of the game

A disappointed Lee Johnson admitted, “It isn't what you want, is it? In the second half we gave it a go. The substitutes gave us a bit of energy and impetus, but what killed us was the first 20 minutes. We conceded a poor goal. We knew that set pieces could be an issue and you just have to look at the individual mistakes. We keep knocking, but we just have to go that extra mile. There are so many minor things that count in the big picture."

"I don't know what it was and I wish I did. I don't know if it was because they couldn't handle the pressure of a better crowd, or couldn't handle the fact we couldn't break down a side in the bottom four. Let's not mask it. We have lost to too many of the sides near the bottom and it is poor. I am very disappointed we couldn't take advantage, but it looks like it is going to be a slog. It was a disappointing performance but we just have to move on.”

“I feel bad personally, for the chairman as he put the offer on and for the players as they want to play in front of the biggest crowds possible I just feel upset, really. But football is never easy. There are always two teams - three if you include the match officials - and things don't always go the way you want.”