Wigan 2 West Bromwich Albion 1

Dec 1 2008 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

THEY were queuing up on Saturday night.

Steve Bruce was first up, claiming Albion were entitled to feel ‘mugged’.

Next up was the press steward outside the JJB Stadium media room.

As I waited for Albion players to emerge from the dressing room, he commented: “We were six points adrift on nine points this time last year. I’m sure this lot (Albion) will be back here next year.’’

I’m assuming he meant on the basis of Wigan staying up.

Then came Latics chairman Dave Whelan, singing Albion’s praises and claiming his team were lucky during a live radio interview before joining in a duet with veteran madcap broadcaster Stuart Hall. Surreal? Ever so slightly.

And so Albion stay bottom. This time it was cruel.

Ishmael Miller opened the scoring with a delightful finish inside Chris Kirkland’s near post after 48 minutes.

It was to be the ex-Albion keeper’s only minus in an otherwise flawless afternoon, although the initial error was made by Titus Bramble, who made a hash of what should have been a routine clearance.

Let’s not make excuses about luck. Albion are where they are for a reason, but at 1-0 up, both James Morrison and Chris Brunt missed two chances to bury the game as they drove towards goal past the final defender. Both were saved.

Kirkland was to also keep out a Jonas Olsson header from close range. The fragile goalkeeper – Wigan must be the only Premier League club to include two keepers on the bench – was outstanding.