Player ratings vs. Wigan (FA Cup)

Into the hat for the fourth round, much-needed goal for Harvey Barnes, pitch invader face planted after tripping over the hoardings. All a good result really. But how did the reserves perform in front of the minuscule 30k crowd?

Here are my ratings, all with the caveat that I wasn't in my usual seat and didn't have the kind of East Stand TV view I usually have.

Ward: 6 - Didn't have loads to do other than pick the ball out of the net and then get it back after a VAR decision. Decent enough with his feet.
Justin: 6 - Strikes me as inconsistent so far, and this didn't feel like one of his better games. Most of any success Wigan had came down his flank, particularly early on. Looked like he was wandering too far up the pitch in the first half and was more circumspect in the second.
Morgan: 5 - As with Justin next to him, kept having to chase back after getting caught with balls in behind. Groin went before he had the chance to rectify matters.
Benkovic: 6 - An interesting watch. Comfortable with close control and short passing. Seemed positionally decent. Long balls lacked a little grace. And unfortunately he had a couple of mistakes on him and didn't look entirely assured under the pressure of Wigan attacking him. Came through overall, but obviously the fact he picked up yet another injury will be a concern.
Chilwell: 8 - Took control of the match in the first half and looked a class above anyone else on the pitch. A bit more ragged in the second, but still my choice for our MOTM.
Choudhury: 8 - Very good at keeping things ticking over and frustrating Wigan, both in defending without the ball and keeping possession in tight areas. Assured and energetic performance.
Mendy: 7 - Tidy. Read the game well and was positionally strong.
Praet: 7 - Another who contributed to a midfield that was too good for Wigan in the middle third and helped to control the game.
Albrighton: 6 - Not sure whether his delivery is getting worse or it's just that Vardy is so good at making something of it. Decent at contributing to the team performance in the middle of the park and provided good energy across the pitch regardless.
Barnes: 8 - Played a role that sometimes owed more to a 10 role than a 9. Freed of defensive responsibility on the wing, he looked full of energy and linked up play well. One complaint I have about his goal is that I don't think taking the chance as he did will work in the Premier League - that cut back will get smothered, whereas I believe he should have tried to go across the goal on his left foot. Still, he scored and hopefully that will help his confidence.
Gray: 6 - Not bad, but will have wanted to do more in a match like this.

Soyuncu: 7 - Didn't look in danger at any point.
Fuchs: 5 - Not a centre back, particularly not in a 2. Didn't look comfortable and was too keen to dive in at times. He will provide cover if Morgan and Benkovic are out, but really we need another option there. Wouldn't be surprised to see us try to find a loan signing.
Ndidi: 6 - Seemed to pop up in attack more than defence, but helped to see things out.


Rodgers said he was disappointed with the performance and I can understand why to an extent, although we did control the game for most of it. What I noted was that I thought Wigan were very poor. That's not to fault their effort, they just didn't look good enough to be a Championship side and never really gave our reserves any problems. Yes, they were unlucky to get a goal ruled out through another daft VAR offside, but they didn't really create anything other than that. It was suggested on the radio before the match that this was mostly their first 11. If so, that is not a good thing.