Leon Balogun has expressed his disappointment following Wigan Athletic’s 3-0 away defeat to Brentford on Saturday, reports Completesports.com.
Wigan were rocked five minutes into the game when Leon Balogun was forced off with a grpun injury.
In the centre-back’s absence, the Latics suffered their first defeat in 10 league outings with Algeria’s Said Benrahma netting a hat-trick.
“It was a tough afternoon. I know a lot of people will blame it on the circumstances that we’re in at the moment, but I felt throughout the week ever since we got this news, that the team spirit was high,”Balogun told the club’s website.
“We just have to face it and be honest that we did not show the Wigan that we’ve worked to be in the past nine games. That was not us today, sometimes you’ve got to put your hand up and admit that.
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“Another big game is coming on Wednesday, the first of five very big games.
“At this time I’d like to use this opportunity to take everyone’s minds off that because the reality is that we are not in control of the finances, we are not in control of the administration, that is not our job. Our job is on the pitch and as I said before, we were just not on it 100% today.
“We have had an unbelievable run over the last nine games. We are determined as a group, but we were not able to switch it on like we did in those nine games.”
On the support received this week, Balogun continued:
“We have received a lot of support. I heard before the game from my girlfriend that the fans had raised £60,000 before kick off. I have seen it on Twitter and Instagram and we are all aware of what the fans are doing, it just means now that being collective as a group, as employees of the club, as fans, show that we are one big family and keep the momentum going after today.
“It’s £100,000 in less than 24 hours. It’s very, very touching and at the same time, again, it’s another reason for us all to focus on doing our jobs correctly in the way we have done in the nine games before today.
“The reality is that we are still in a very good position as players, so we should just be focused on doing everything that is within our control and make sure that we give 100%. That’s what the lads are going to do, I know that.
“I can’t speak for anybody, but I know with the things I have felt this week, the staff and the manager have given us some really good speeches. He’s given us the right confidence.
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“A lot of the teams in the league will have been happy to see what has happened this week in terms of the league table, but I’m pretty sure they’re wrong. The spirit is really high and this result today is not going to knock that.
“We have two and a half weeks left to go, so it was tough to come off so early. We’re going to assess it and check on it, but it didn’t feel great. I just felt my groin a little. It was a disappointment because when I was on the pitch I thought I could have an impact on the game and lead with my experience from the back.
“I will be looking into options that I have to accelerate the healing process and hopefully get to play my part in some of the matches.
“We’re in this together and I think that’s the most important thing.”
