Bruce braced for teething troubles

THE cold snap might be passing in England, but only now are Wigan starting to feel the pinch. Steve Bruce’s squad was decimated during the January transfer window and he is canny enough to expect a few teething problems.

Wigan’s cause was not helped by Bruce having to make all three of his substitutions inside the first 42 minutes, because of illness and injury.

That meant the hosts had all four of their newcomers on the pitch for the majority of the match, with Charles N’Zogbia making his debut and Ben Watson coming off the bench.

“We will be better in a couple of weeks, I hope,” said Bruce. “All the changes we have made – and we have made too many — they are only young and will get better.” Fulham looked more threatening but rarely troubled Chris Kirkland, Bobby Zamora bringing one diving save out of the England goalkeeper, and heading over from two yards.

“Bobby was really unhappy with his performance last week,” Hodgson said.

“He needs a goal, no question.”

WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland 8, Melchiot 7, Scharner 7, Bramble 8, Figueroa 8, Valencia 4 (Watson 18, 5), Brown 4 (Koumas 19, 6), Cattermole 6, N’Zogbia 5, Mido 4 (Zaki 42, 5), Rodallega 5. Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Edman, Boyce, De Ridder.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer 6, Pantsil 7, Hangeland 7, Hughes 6, Konchesky6, Davies 5, Etuhu 5 (Dacourt 45, 6), Murphy 6, Dempsey 5 (Gera 90, 5), Johnson 6, Zamora 6 (Nevland 75, 5). Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Kallio.

REFEREE: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) 7: Calm and effective throughout.

MATCH RATING: ** Fulham will be annoyed at failing to notch a first away win..