New manager, barely escaping relegation and losing Baines to Everton – it’s enough to get any fan depressed.
However, I think that despite the inexperience of Chris Hutchings and the debacle of last season Wigan have some cause for optimism, especially in the players they have brought in.
Michael Brown, Sibierski, Bramble and Koumas have all come to Wigan with a point to prove and away from the pressures of bigger clubs they might just put out the performances that save Wigan again this season.
Thing is, even with the optimism Wigan are still looking at a bottom half finish.
Manager Status: Could be the first casualty of the season, but it all depends on how well (or how badly) Wigan do.
Transfer Analysis: Wigan have done good so far, but how will they replace Baines? And they haven’t necessarily done better than Birmingham or Sunderland.
Players to watch: Jason Koumas and Titus Bramble (if only for entertainment value).
August Fixtures: Everton away, Middlesbrough and Sunderland at home and West Ham away. A chance for 9 points but I doubt that Wigan will get them.
Expectations: Mid-table (9th-15th).
Predictions: Bottom end (16th-20th).
Also Read:
this is the first wigan preseason article i’ve read which hasn’t told of Wigan’s unescapable road to relegation. This reflects my thoughts about the upcoming and season aswell as many other Latic fans i know. A bottom half finish will more than do for us!
Bramble will finally see his club go down!
We have a vastly strengthened squad, and retain players who have the battlescars to prove their hard found experience. We have a new manager, with plenty to prove, but the experience of being part of our backroom system for the last 10 years. He also seems to have more tactics than the boot it up to Heskey and hope approach that a desperate Jewell resorted too as he ran out of ideas.
I’d say the newly promoted teams are a country mile behind us in terms of being ready for the tough season ahead, and Sunderland dont exactly have a terrific Premier League record do they?
Last seasons position is now utterly irrelevant to everyone apart from lazy journalists churning out un-inspired pre-season waffle. Wigan will surprise everyone but their own fans – who already know we are a stronger outfit than last season.
I haven’t spoken to a single Wigan fan who feels bleak..
If anything the ones I’ve spoken to are all very optimistic and looking forward to the season.
Don’t write us off yet, I feel there’s a surprise in store.
As mentioned in the article above, the new signings Wigan have made all have something to prove, be it to their old clubs or journalists who love nothing more than to kick a man whilst he’s down. This fact alone will help far more than keeping players on that are playing out the remainder of their careers. Wigan have bought as well as any club of their status can do, if not better.