Wigan manager Paul Jewell may have bemoaned the Premier League's leniency towards West Ham, but right now he has more significant problems to contend with after his side went down 3-0 to the Hammers.
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport
The manner of this defeat will cause Jewell a few sleepless nights between now and next Saturday when his side face Middlesbrough at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan were clueless, listless, pretty much hopeless, and with two matches of the season remaining, that is alarming.
Only goal difference now separates the Latics from a position they have not occupied all season - a place in the bottom three.
They could argue the Hammers should have been deducted points for administrative irregularities in relation to the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
Maybe the independent Premier League panel that conducted Friday's hearing 'bottled it' when it came to their decision, opting for a record £5.5million fine.
But at the end of the day, Wigan will have no-one but themselves to blame should they slide back into the Coca-Cola Championship after two seasons in the top flight.
There can be few excuses for a side that have let slip 26 points this season from winning positions, and have conceded more goals in stoppage time than any other in the Premiership.
Jewell knows it, and there is now serious concern at the perilous position in which his team reside, and after witnessing the way they were outplayed by one of their relegation rivals.
"I've no complaints," insisted Jewell after goals from Luis Boa Morte, Yossi Benayoun and substitute Marlon Harewood had condemned his side to a seventh successive game without a win.
"They were the better team, sharper, quicker to the ball. We never looked like we were going to get back into it after they scored the first goal.
"They fully deserved the win, no bones about it, and right now we are struggling.
"We're quickly running out of games, but the amazing thing about it is that it's still in our own hands.
"We just have to believe we can do better, and I know we can do better
"But if we continue to play like that then we will be relegated, make no mistake about it. We won't win another corner, never mind two matches."
Of further concern is the fact Jewell is unable to put his finger on why his side are on another miserable run, even though the drop is staring his players in the face.
"It may be pressure, a lack of confidence at the wrong time of the season, a loss of form with some people," assessed Jewell.
"I'm not looking for excuses. It was just a very bad day at the office for us. We should have showed more spunk and determination than we did.
"But we've been punching above our weight for quite some time, but we are where we are because of the things we've been doing, and we are so easy to play against at the moment.
"It's just untrue, and not funny. But now we have to get back into it tomorrow and improve dramatically in our next game.
"It's still all to play for, but I am bitterly disappointed with our performance."
Regardless, you could not hide Jewell's displeasure at how West Ham escaped a points penalty, in particular after watching Tevez run his side ragged on occasions.
After Boa Morte's lob over John Filan on the half hour following a critical error of judgment from the Australian goalkeeper, it was Tevez's skill and pace that instigated the two breakaway goals in the second half.
"I don't want anyone getting relegated because of administrative irregularities. That would be a terrible way," added Jewell.
"But I knew that, with three games to go, there would not be a points deduction.
"Please don't think this is sour grapes, because it isn't, but if it had been Wigan or Watford, or if West Ham had been down by now, then points would have been taken off.
"I don't want to sound like I am bleating, but one of the reasons they [the Premier League panel] gave was because of the fans.
"They didn't deduct points because of the fans! Well, what does that mean?
"The fans of West Ham are tremendous. They were fantastic here, but does it mean that if you have a big fan base, you will not be deducted points? It's crazy."
Australians Josip Skoko and John Filan both played full matches for Wigan; while Lucas Neill played the full match for West Ham after an injury scare early in the match.
Wigan are currently 17th.
The manner of this defeat will cause Jewell a few sleepless nights between now and next Saturday when his side face Middlesbrough at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan were clueless, listless, pretty much hopeless, and with two matches of the season remaining, that is alarming.
Only goal difference now separates the Latics from a position they have not occupied all season - a place in the bottom three.
They could argue the Hammers should have been deducted points for administrative irregularities in relation to the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
Maybe the independent Premier League panel that conducted Friday's hearing 'bottled it' when it came to their decision, opting for a record £5.5million fine.
But at the end of the day, Wigan will have no-one but themselves to blame should they slide back into the Coca-Cola Championship after two seasons in the top flight.
There can be few excuses for a side that have let slip 26 points this season from winning positions, and have conceded more goals in stoppage time than any other in the Premiership.
Jewell knows it, and there is now serious concern at the perilous position in which his team reside, and after witnessing the way they were outplayed by one of their relegation rivals.
"I've no complaints," insisted Jewell after goals from Luis Boa Morte, Yossi Benayoun and substitute Marlon Harewood had condemned his side to a seventh successive game without a win.
"They were the better team, sharper, quicker to the ball. We never looked like we were going to get back into it after they scored the first goal.
"They fully deserved the win, no bones about it, and right now we are struggling.
"We're quickly running out of games, but the amazing thing about it is that it's still in our own hands.
"We just have to believe we can do better, and I know we can do better
"But if we continue to play like that then we will be relegated, make no mistake about it. We won't win another corner, never mind two matches."
Of further concern is the fact Jewell is unable to put his finger on why his side are on another miserable run, even though the drop is staring his players in the face.
"It may be pressure, a lack of confidence at the wrong time of the season, a loss of form with some people," assessed Jewell.
"I'm not looking for excuses. It was just a very bad day at the office for us. We should have showed more spunk and determination than we did.
"But we've been punching above our weight for quite some time, but we are where we are because of the things we've been doing, and we are so easy to play against at the moment.
"It's just untrue, and not funny. But now we have to get back into it tomorrow and improve dramatically in our next game.
"It's still all to play for, but I am bitterly disappointed with our performance."
Regardless, you could not hide Jewell's displeasure at how West Ham escaped a points penalty, in particular after watching Tevez run his side ragged on occasions.
After Boa Morte's lob over John Filan on the half hour following a critical error of judgment from the Australian goalkeeper, it was Tevez's skill and pace that instigated the two breakaway goals in the second half.
"I don't want anyone getting relegated because of administrative irregularities. That would be a terrible way," added Jewell.
"But I knew that, with three games to go, there would not be a points deduction.
"Please don't think this is sour grapes, because it isn't, but if it had been Wigan or Watford, or if West Ham had been down by now, then points would have been taken off.
"I don't want to sound like I am bleating, but one of the reasons they [the Premier League panel] gave was because of the fans.
"They didn't deduct points because of the fans! Well, what does that mean?
"The fans of West Ham are tremendous. They were fantastic here, but does it mean that if you have a big fan base, you will not be deducted points? It's crazy."
Australians Josip Skoko and John Filan both played full matches for Wigan; while Lucas Neill played the full match for West Ham after an injury scare early in the match.
Wigan are currently 17th.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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