“We gifted them a win”: Caldwell rues mistakes as Wigan fall short at Huddersfield
Sunday 25 October 2026 · By Dave Ormerod
Gary Caldwell felt Wigan Athletic gave away a winnable game at League One leaders Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Christian Saydee’s late goal came too late to prevent a 2–1 defeat.
“I think we gifted them a win when I felt, at the time, they were there for the taking,” Caldwell told the Yorkshire Post. According to PA, he called it a missed opportunity.
Wigan surprised their hosts with a new approach. Huddersfield head coach Martin Drury said his side had watched Wigan’s last six games, and then Wigan “played a totally different shape and played a different way”.
Huddersfield needed about 15 minutes to work it out, Drury said. They went ahead in the 34th minute, when Ilias Bronkhorst ran to the back post to head in Cameron Humphreys’ cross.
“We conceded another really poor goal that we don’t expect to concede against this team,” Caldwell said. “Then second half, I thought we were the better team.”
Wigan showed plenty of intent after the break but lacked the quality to create much, PA reported. Huddersfield doubled their lead 10 minutes from time. Derensili Sanches Fernandes raced clean through, and goalkeeper Joe Whitworth slipped, leaving the winger the simplest of finishes.
Caldwell said the goal came when Wigan were gambling for the game and had changed their shape in possession. “We conceded a poor goal on transition, which we know that Huddersfield have been really good at,” he said.
Saydee curled in a fine goal in the second minute of stoppage time, set up by R. Walsh, but there was no time left for an equaliser. “We kept going, scored an amazing goal and kind of got back in the game,” Caldwell said, “but it’s a game that I don’t think we made Huddersfield do enough to win.”
“We came here with an intention to win,” he told BBC Sport.
The away form is a big problem. In its report, PA said Wigan have taken only a single point on the road since April.
Fraser Murray missed the game. He was sent off at Oxford United on Tuesday 20 October and Wigan did not appeal, according to Wigan Today. The length of his ban has not been confirmed.
Wigan are bottom of League One with 7 points from 11 games, four points from safety. Their eight league goals are the joint-fewest in the division, along with AFC Wimbledon.
There are plenty of chances to put that right. Wigan face four games in 12 days, starting at Leicester City on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT). Caldwell said they will “go to Leicester and try and win on Tuesday”, according to PA.
Bromley, who are 22nd, visit the Brick Community Stadium on Saturday 31 October (15:00 GMT) for a meeting of two of the bottom four. The postponed home game with Mansfield Town has now been rearranged for Tuesday 3 November (19:45 GMT).
In the FA Cup first round, Wigan travel to Boreham Wood on Saturday 7 November (15:00 GMT). Barnsley visit on 14 November.
Wigan’s last home game brought a 1–0 win over Reading on 17 October. Caldwell will hope home advantage can help again.
The Brick Community Stadium sits on Loire Drive in Robin Park, Wigan (WN5 0UH). Opened in 1999 as the JJB Stadium and later known as the DW Stadium, it is shared by Wigan Athletic and rugby league side Wigan Warriors. Capacity is just over 25,000, all seated, in four single-tier stands with open corners. For visiting football supporters the picture is simple: you are almost always in the North Stand, behind the goal.
The North Stand holds around 5,400 and is reached from Anjou Boulevard / Stadium Way. Typical away allocations are closer to 4,500–4,800 so the concourse does not become overcrowded. The view is a conventional end-on look at the pitch. Flags without poles are usually allowed in designated spots so long as they do not cover advertising. If your club has a smaller following, home fans may occupy part of the same stand; stewards will make the split obvious on the day.
Under the North Stand you will often find the away bar (sometimes called the Marquee Suite). Entry is free on production of a valid match ticket. Opening times vary by fixture but it is commonly available from mid-morning until kick-off, with pies, hot dogs, snacks and drinks. It is the most reliable pre-match meeting point if you do not want to wander the retail park. Concourse kiosks inside the stand serve similar food once the gates are open.
Opposite you is the Heatable South Stand, the family and schools end for home supporters. Down the sides, the Springfield West Stand is the main stand: tunnel, dressing rooms, TV gantry, boxes and the club store. The Boston East Stand is the largest, with the most vocal home support, “WIGAN” picked out in the seats and the main scoreboard above. The four stands are similar in height; the East stand is simply deeper, which is why it holds more people. Seats throughout are a mix of Athletic blue and Warriors cherry red.
By car, use WN5 0UN for Stadium Way. Away supporters should use Car Park 1, a short walk from the North Stand turnstiles. Recent matchday prices have been around £7 for a car, more for minibuses and coaches; card and cash are both accepted and some dates allow pre-booking. Do not park on the neighbouring retail park beyond the short-stay limit — fines are common. Official parks are stewarded through the game. After full time, traffic through Wigan town centre can crawl; many drivers prefer looping via the motorway rather than sitting in Robin Park.
Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate stations are both about a 20–25 minute walk, or a short bus or taxi ride. Local buses serve Robin Park regularly. Coaches drop at the away end; tell the club in advance if you are bringing a large party. The stadium is cashless in many outlets but parking and some kiosks still take cash. Under-14s must be with an adult. Accessible seating and audio commentary exist — contact your club or Wigan’s supporter liaison team before travel if you need them.
Pubs immediately around the ground lean home, though the Red Robin a few hundred yards away is often mentioned as mixed. The simplest plan for most travelling fans is park, use the North Stand bar, and go in. Stewarding is generally straightforward and the ground is compact enough that you will not get lost. Check your club’s away guide on the morning of the game for the exact allocation, bar opening and any local restrictions. Enjoy the trip — and try to score at the South Stand end so your own supporters can watch it go in from behind the opposite goal.