Perhaps most crucial to the former Bolton and Burnley man’s success with the Latics next season will be his ability to bring in the right forwards to the club.
Harping back to our previous promotion chase from the Championship we had a solid squad that was undoubtedly highlighted by the presence of two outstanding goal scorers at the top end of the team sheet.
Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts hauled a historic tally of goals to help propel the Latics towards the promised land of the Premier League and Coyle could do a lot worse than to follow Paul Jewell’s promotion model from that year.
At present there is just the one crucial ingredient missing and that is the two out and out quality goalscorers.
Mauro Boselli and Franco di Santo have already left, Angelo Henriquez has returned to Manchester United, and Arouna Kone seems destined to join Everton over the next few days.
The leaves only Filip Orsula from the development squad as the only recognised out-and-out striker on the books with both Callum McManaman and Shaun Maloney from the first team who could be called ‘forward’ players.
Coyle has a history of employing his wingers, playing direct attacking football, and looking to get to the by-line and pull back crosses. Both McManaman and Maloney will suit this superbly and attacking from either flank will offer top notch service to a typical centre forward, or two.
With the defensive unit now looking more assured following this week’s additions it is now time for Coyle to target the front line, and with a degree of urgency. The season kicks off in less than a months time and in the hunt for promotion a slow start can be catastrophic.