Opinion: A good time for a break

Last updated : 07 October 2013 By Paul Farrington

It has been somewhat of a historic week for the town, and a week that has served to further add to the momentus year for the Wigan borough.

First up there was the first ever home Europa League tie to be played by the Latics as Maribor were put to the sword with, excusing the usual Wigan antics, as convincing a 3-1 victory as your likely to see.

Saturday evening then saw the Warriors' history making Grand Final comeback against Warrington to crown off a fine season by winning the double of Challenge Cup and Super League, a feat only matched by Bradford and Saints during the Super Leage era.

Then came Sunday afternoon's derby day victory over local neighbours Blackburn Rovers, a victory that keeps our league position looking ominously healthy given the run of injuries we've had.

With a host of games of the last few weeks and Manchester United loanee Nick Powell being forced to single-handedly keep our attack going the international break couldn't come at a better time.

The week off gives Grant Holt, Shaun Maloney, and Marc Antoine Fortune time to get their bodies right in preparation for a brutal and crucial run off fixtures upto and over the festive period.

There isn't a team in the division that would cope as well as we have done without that trio of attacking talent in their line up and it is testiment to the team spirit at the club that everyone has adapted so adequately.

Our defensive play is starting to look a little more solid than the earlier part of the season and one should imagine that the return of Holt, Maloney, and Fortune would give some vital impetus to the forward line.

That is not to detract from the excellent performances of Nick Powell as the young former Crewe man has done a sterling job running the forward line over the past few games.

The composure of mind that he shows belies his youthful age and it is clear to see why Manchester United invested so heavily in the England under 21 international.

In summary there are many signs for optimism for the Latics who come out of a difficult period of injuries, and games, with the league position still very respectable.

If we can get our forward back fit and firing then we're going to be a force over the rest of the season.