Uwe Rosler's job as manager is not under threat just yet but his team now have the same number of points as they have played games in the Championship, eight.

This defeat came against a side who had not previously won away. Wigan did manage a late rally, with Martyn Waghorn offering hope of a recovery upon scoring from close range before Oriol Riera blasted a shot in injury time which rebounded off the inside of a post. Yet Ipswich were deserved victors and Mick McCarthy returned to Suffolk believing he had witnessed the best performance outside Portman Road since his appointment two years ago.

"I love it when a plan comes together," the Ipswich manager beamed. Resilient in defence, energetic in midfield and robust in attack; Ipswich were everything that Wigan were not.

Rosler admitted that McCarthy's tactics had been effective and was critical of his own midfield, which included three new players in Don Cowie, Adam Forshaw and William Kvist; the latter two of whom were only recruited on transfer deadline day.

"We didn't earn the right to play," he said. "Ipswich came with a clear plan and tried to rough us up. They tried to make the game a scrap. You have to give them credit [for succeeding]."

Ipswich's opener, indeed, came from one of their two midfield academy graduates. Luke Hyam and Teddy Bishop have been with Ipswich since they were eight and are schooled in their passing traditions. Soon, both might be under pressure from free agent Jack Collison, who was offered a short-term contract by McCarthy on Monday.

McCarthy claimed Hyam's coolly converted opener will have done the 22-year-old no harm in his quest to remain in the side. He was also pleased to see Conor Sammon avoid the latest trend that involves players not celebrating goals against their former clubs.

"I think it's the biggest load of nonsense ever," he said. "If I did it in my playing career, I'd be giving it large just like Conor did."

Si Hughes (The Telegraph)