Charles N’Zogbia’s departure to Aston Villa for £9.5million has been the main reason given by Wigan doubters but what they fail to realise is the confidence and self belief that manager Roberto Martinez has instilled in his squad. Keeping the loyal Spaniard is probably the greatest success of the summer and he has begun to assemble a solid squad ready for the first game of the season against Norwich.
The Latics first team has been unbeaten in pre-season after two successful trips to Sweden and Austria against a range of different opposition. They have also looked strong back on English soil with a 3-1 away win against local rivals Preston North End. A productive pre-season without the services of N’Zogbia has been in the main down to Nigerian winger Victor Moses. Moses netted twice against North End and also got the winner against Spanish side Villareal. The win against the ‘Yellow Submarine’ will be a huge boost to the club and is considered as a big scalp considering Villareal are to participate in the Champions League this season.
Transfer ins and outs
It has been all good news for Wigan, as constant speculation surrounding the futures of James McCarthy and Hugo Rodallega could unsettle the squad. If they were to leave they would join a long list of players exiting the club this summer. Daniel de Ridder, Jason Koumas and Steven Caldwell are just a few of the players who were released on free transfers in early July and although there have been many leaving the club, the additions made by Martinez have been well thought out.
The capture of last season’s heroic goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi could prove crucial this year after the Omani stopper signed a four-year-deal.
Al-Habsi told wiganlatics.co.uk: “Wigan Athletic means so much to me, this is the club that first gave me the opportunity to play regular football in the Premier League and that’s an opportunity I will never forget.”
The Latics fans were delighted with the capture of their Player of the Year many welcoming him to what they believe is his rightful home.
Another of the players to join their new home is former Wolves midfielder David Jones. Jones is a midfielder acclaimed for his hard-working and tough-tackling manner a trait that the Latics squad has missed since the departure of Lee Cattermole two seasons ago.
Jones had been training with Wigan for a few weeks when Martinez made the call for him to play in the Preston friendly. Jones, a product of the Manchester United academy put in a grafters shift and did what was needed to impress enough to earn himself a permanent deal at the club.
Jones will have to continue to work hard if he wants a first team birth as he will be competing with McCarthy, Ben Watson, Mohamed Diame, Jordi Gomez, James McArthur and Hendry Thomas.
One man he won’t have to compete with is the impressive Tom Cleverley who has returned to his parent club Man United after standing out on loan at the club last season.
Cleverley will be missed at Wigan this season with his ability to motivate the team with his forward thinking style.
Targets
Wigan have been linked with many a player in this transfer window yet only the two transfers have materialised.
The Latics have been touted as one of the front runners to sign Manchester City fringe player Shaun Wright-Phillips who is seen as the ideal replacement for N’Zogbia. Other players who could fill that void are; Leeds United winger Robert Snodgrass; Derry City winger James McClean and more recently Middlesbrough legend Julio Arca.
There will be running transfer speculation till the very last minute of the window and it is clear just what Wigan need.
A couple of additions to Wigan’s defence is necessary to keep conceding goals at a minimum with a central defender being pined for by the fans.
At the other end of the pitch last season, Wigan failed to convert chances and were one of the league’s lowest goal scorers. Conor Sammon, Hugo Rodallega and Franco Di Santo are the only first team out and out forwards and you get the feeling that the club will have to sign one more to improve their scoring.
Nelson Valdez has appeared as the main target but his unwillingness to move from Spain could prove a big stumbling block.
Predictions
The form that Wigan carried into the second half of last season is extremely encouraging and their continental passing style seems to be the formula for success. Possession play will be essential this season if Wigan are to compete for a top ten place. But of course the main aim for 2011/12 is to reach the magic 40 point mark and ensure an eighth year in the Premier League.
The start of the season will prove a good test and provide a good look at how the season could pan out as the Latics face Norwich, Swansea and QPR in the first three weeks.
If the team can grab a couple of wins in this period it will be a great boost on confidence and give them something to believe in.
