How Wigan Athletic star’s big night was ruined by Morecambe horror show
In the absence of club captain Jason Kerr, McManaman led the side out for the Bristol Street Motors Trophy encounter.
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The 33-year-old certainly did his bit on the field, and was Latics’ best player at the Brick Community Stadium.
However, a collective under-performance across the board allowed the Shrimps – who arrived rock bottom of League Two, without a goal in their opening five matches – to win by the odd goal in three.
All of which left McManaman in little mood for personal achievements.
“It should be a proud moment to be fair,” he said. “But because we got beat, it’s not actually to be honest. I’m not really bothered, it’s all about the result.
“Being beaten by a League Two side is not acceptable for this club.
“We need to show more personality on the pitch, especially when we do go a goal down.
“It’s not good enough, we’ve had a few words in there, and we need to liven up.
Latics made eight changes from the weekend league defeat at Birmingham, with a number of young players drafted into the side.
McManaman, however, refused to point to that as mitigation for what followed.
Indeed, the night was summed up by Morecambe’s winning goal midway through the second half, with Toby Sibbick slipping in his own box to gift Morecambe the win, barely a munute after Joe Hugill had levelled from the penalty spot.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are…old, young…you’ve got to turn up, there’s no excuse,” he said. “The second goal was unfortunate, anyone can slip, but did we show enough personality to get another goal? I don’t know. But this can’t keep happening.
