Latics gets off to a flyer

Last updated : 04 August 2013 By Paul Farrington

On a day where fellow promotion rivals struggled to assert there authority on the division it was marked that the Latics had Barnsley at their mercy from the moment Ben Watson fired in the opening goal.

With a 55 game season lying ahead it was pleasant to see the strength in depth that Coyle has built up over the summer with both Callum McManaman and new signing Marc Antoine Fortune making up a very strong bench.

Further goals were added by new boys Grant Holt and Leon Barnett, either side of Dale Jennings red card for a horrible tackle on one of our young James', before Shaun Maloney put the icing on the cake with a fourth.

The game made for a swift, and welcome, change from the rigours of professional football which was emphasised by the size of the away following.

Over 2,300 enjoyed the trip to Oakwell, and rather than have to fork out over £100 for the day 's experience it was refreshing to have ticket prices of £23 and a convincing away win to celebrate.

With trips to Europe and Yeovil to come this season if Barnsley is anything to go by, the away day Wigan experiences are going to be a real highlight of the season.