WIGAN ATHLETIC FANS showed their support for winger James McClean during their home defeat to Middlesbrough.
The Republic of Ireland international opened up over the weekend on some of the anti-Irish chanting and slurs he has been faced with from rival supporters as he expressed his frustration at the English FA’s lack of support on the matter.
Wigan fans have taken McClean to their hearts during his second spell at the club and in a gesture of solidarity they rose in unison from the 11th minute – the Derry man’s shirt number – to sing his name.
The backing had the desired effect not long later when McClean’s corner was bundled home by international teammate Will Keane in the 34th minute.
But that was as good as it got on a disappointing night for the home side, Isiah Jones equalising on the stroke of half time before Boro cruised in the second half with three goals without reply – the perfect result for incoming boss Michael Carrick.
It was a similarly comfortable night’s work for Queens Park Rangers, who look set to lose head coach Michael Beale after Wolverhampton Wanderers made their move to install him as Bruno Lage’s successor.
The Rs trounced Cardiff City 3-0 at Loftus Road and Dubliner Sinclair Armstrong impressed on his full debut in the Championship as results elsewhere went their way to see them go top of the table.
The Ireland U-19 international won a penalty in the 18th minute – which Lyndon Dykes scored – and the young forward almost got on the scoresheet himself when he let fly just before the break.
He was withdrawn on the hour mark after a stellar display, while Cardiff’s Ireland star Callum Robinson was also hooked soon after as they struggled down to 10 men.
There was late agony for John Egan’s Sheffield United as an 87th penalty from Martyn Waghorn gave Coventry all three points and prevented the Blades from taking top spot.
Ireland boss Stephen Kenny will be pleased to see Scott Hogan net his fifth goal of the Championship campaign, his near post finish in the 80th minute denying Josh Cullen’s Burnley the chance to go into the automatic promotion spots.
With Troy Parrott set to miss next month’s friendlies with Norway and Malta after undergoing hamstring surgery, and Chiedozie Ogbene also going to be absent for Rotherham for the next few weeks, Hogan’s continued form should see him contend for a starting spot.
Blackpool’s CJ Hamilton is on the fringes of Kenny’s plans but the winger could only manage a late sub appearance as they went down 3-1 to Hull City.
Finally, Tom Bradshaw struck a hat-trick for Millwall as they took all three points at home to Slaven Bilic’s Watford.
Really wasn’t expecting that tbf.
Buckley was a great manager and got Pats going again while playing some fantastic football.
Sad end to his tenure but things where going stale and needed a change. Gonna be very interesting to see who gets that job.
Paul Doolin or Keith Long would be 2 ideal candidates.
@John Macken: hands off keith long thank you very much!
@Brian Dunne: as if long would go near pats
@Brian Dunne: LOI is a merry go round lads, Wouldn’t be suprised if Long ended up at Pats and Croly took the reigns at bohs.
In saying that Ger O’Brien will probably just take over..
@John Macken: It will be also interesting to see where he ends up as manager, great opportunity now for Cork City to bring in somebody who knows how football should be played.
@John Macken: long is building something at bohs. Can’t see him leaving. Hope not anyway
Sad too see him go .It’s a results business good luck Liam.
Thanks to Liam for the great football, European runs and trophies. Need to rebuild but plenty of good players still there.
Can’t see Long taken it but Trevor croly is a good fit.
@John Stewart: Croly is a good fit nowhere. Disaster of a manager
@David Linehan: Croly is a great coach. May need a good back room to manage a club but knows pats and promotes good football. Kelleher and O’Brien there already. Leaves one piece of jigsaw to slot in with Croly and we are away. Wouldn’t hold the rovers experience against him.
@John Stewart: largest budget in the league by a mile and he was a disaster. A coach and nothing more, can’t manage players at all.
@David Linehan: contradiction right there – a good coach v. can’t get best out of players.
Didn’t fancy a hiding off Shels this week :))))
Wonder would he take a spin down the motorway to Cork? Would’nt mind seeing him at the Cross….
@running man:That FOOTball stuff would never catch on here. He wouldn’t have a clue how to play the genuine article – hoofing it up the middle.
@Denis McCarthy: Do you mean Caulfield or Buckley?
*one FAI cup
Wonder if he’s done with management. Would be a loss to the league. I thought his St Pats team could go on and win more titles after the last one.