FOREST AWAY: Wigan Gallery

We saw another few rays of sunshine in our performance and we saw plenty to be concerned about. Quite how a team of professional footballers can continue to concede from a high ball into the box within the first few minutes is troubling and frustrating. But last season that game would have ended in defeat, I’m fairly certain of that.

It wasn’t an enjoyable ninety minutes and our record at Wigan notched up another on the winless run tally but, crucially, it wasn’t a step back. And we are aren’t yet near a point where a last minute draw at Wigan can be considered two points dropped.

All in it was another fine away day – we sampled the delights of Manchester before and after the game and encountered an eclectic mix of football fans who we spoke with. The teenage Spireites on board our train who were headed to Salford armed with fake I.D’s and youthful exuberance* or the two Glasgweigans; one Celtic and one Rangers, who were off to see Liam Gallagher and drank with us in the Piccadilly Tap. And finally the thoroughly decent Forest Green Rovers fan we met in the Town Hall Tavern after landing back in Manchester.  Take away the odd incident and the handful of idiots and football fans will usually mix happily and in good spirits when given the chance.

*Others on the train, the slightly bemused train conductor in particular, would use slight harsher terms than I it should be said.

Next up is one of the most anticipated trips of the season for lots of us. See you in London.