Paul Cook’s Wigan Athletic travel to Derby County tonight, looking for their first away win of the season.

Since returning to the Championship, after winning the 2017/18 League One title, Wigan have won just two of 28 away matches. In comparison, Latics have the fourth best home record and recorded their third successive home win against Forest on Sunday.

Cook sets his side up in a similar way each week, home or away. It must be puzzling to see the difference in performances and results, when he’s picking the same players in the same system.

For example, on the opening day Wigan beat Cardiff City 3-2 at the DW Stadium and looked brilliant going forward. A week later, Wigan barely mustered a shot at Preston North End and conceded three avoidable goals.

Its a problem that needs to be addressed very quickly, otherwise Wigan will inevitably find themselves in another relegation battle once again.

We look at a couple of things Cook could change to try and get that elusive away win...

Play with pace

Jamal Lowe and Gavin Massey linked up well to score Wigan’s only goal against Forest on Sunday. Their direct pace and threatening runs could hurt Derby tonight.

Cook tends to line-up with Michael Jacobs on the left, however he’s always more effective at home when Wigan dominate the ball more. Although Jacobs is good at unlocking defences if given time on the ball, Wigan need to play with a more direct style away from home.

Massey and Lowe have that natural speed that can hurt teams on the counter-attacks. Derby’s full-backs are likely to attack, which will leave space in behind for Wigan’s wingers to exploit.

Josh Windass upfront

Kieffer Moore was excellent on Sunday, holding the ball up and bullying Forest’s defence.

Similar to the first point, Wigan just need pace and quality on the counter attack. Moore isn’t a striker that can break past a defence or run in behind, where as Windass has that intelligence and speed to run off defenders.

Wigan need to be quicker in transition away from home, and exploit the pace of Lowe, Massey and Windass on the counter attack when Derby aren’t in their defensive set.