BOSELLI TO BE SENT ON LOAN

Posted on January 14, 2011

Wigan athletic striker Mauro Boselli is set to be sent out on a loan deal in order to gain experience in the English league. The striker, 25, has struggled since joining from Estudiantes in the summer and said this week that he was going to Genoa, although this is unconfirmed.

“At the moment I feel that for Mauro to play five months in Italy or Spain, it will be what he needs,” said Latics manager Roberto Martinez.

“Then we’ll get the real Mauro that’s going to be a massive asset for us.”

WIGAN WIN

Posted on December 31, 2010

Wigan athletic managed to secure a vital win against Wolverhampton Wanderers that took them to safety. Rodallega hooked in acrobatically from the edge of the six-yard box to put Wigan ahead as Wolves failed to clear.

The Colombian then played a delightful through ball for Tom Cleverley to slot between keeper Wayne Hennessey’s legs.

Wolves pressed after the break but although substitute Steven Fletcher bundled in a late goal Wigan held on.

West Ham’s lunchtime victory at Fulham resulted in these two sides slipping into the bottom two places but despite being at the foot of the table Wolves would have been confident of a third successive home win, given Wigan’s recent run of only one win in 10 league games.

Wigan have been linked with bids for Lucas Leiva and Wayne Bridge in the January transfer window.

MARTINEZ FEELS FOR LOST CHANCE

Posted on December 12, 2010

Wigan athletic manager Roberto Martinez has said that his side could have won against Everton. Everton dominated the majority of the match but Martinez’s team were denied an injury-time winner when Tim Howard superbly foiled Ronnie Stam from point-blank range.

Third bottom Wigan produced a dogged defensive display to keep Everton at bay, although the Toffees came unstuck themselves by wasting a host of good chances.

Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou have been linked to the Toffees in the January transfer window.

WIGAN DEFEATED

Posted on December 1, 2010

Wigan athletic were defeated by a West Ham side, even though the side has been in recent run of form. Martinez needed a win as muchas West Ham but that likelihood receded even further when the Hammers doubled their lead. Piquionne touched the ball off to Victor Obinna, who showed more accuracy than he had done previously all season by drilling his shot across Al-Habsi inside the far corner.

But West Ham were not over the line yet. No sooner had Franco di Santo come off than his replacement was handed an opportunity to get Wigan back into the game.

After 63 minutes Danny Gabbidon fouled Tom Cleverley, although the referee, Mark Halsey, awarded a penalty only after a signal from his assistant. Mauro Boselli, with his first touch, struck his spot-kick weakly and low to Rob Green’s left, and the England international saved it with ease. Martinez, probably crossing his fingers and toes, claimed no regrets for letting the Argentinian try his luck.

Duly off the hook, Grant was able to smile for once in what has been an arduous season. He was even happier with 15 minutes remaining when Scott Parker started and finished the move for the Hammers’ third. The captain broke forward from midfield, found Obinna, and was there to convert the Nigerian’s deft return pass from eight yards. “Parker represents the classic modern midfielder,” Grant beamed.

Belated comfort for the visitors came after Victor Moses dribbled into the area and touched his pass to Cleverley, who curled his shot into the top corner. But Grant, for once, was not the least bit bothered by that.

WIGAN SEAL DI SANTO DEAL

Posted on September 13, 2010

Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo has joined Wigan Athletic on three-year deal. Di Santo, 21, had been linked with a move to the club all summer but the deal was only agreed in the last minutes of the summer transfer window. The Argentina youth international has returned to Lancashire after scoring one goal in 22 Premier League appearances while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season.

Speaking to the Wigan Athletic’ official website, Di Santo – who made eight first team appearances for Chelsea in two years – expressed his joy at having his future sorted out.

He said: “I am just happy that my future has been sorted out now. I can’t wait to start training, meet all my new team mates and start fighting for my place in the team.

“Roberto Martinez has big ambitions for the club and he made it clear how much he wanted me to be here. When a manager is so positive about you, then it is an easy decision to make.”

Manager Martinez was thrilled to see Di Santo follow the temporary capture of Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.

WIGAN SIGNING GETS WORK PERMIT

Posted on July 26, 2010

New Wigan Athletic signing, Antolin Alcaraz has been granted his work permit and is now eligible to play in the opening game of the new Premier League season. The Paraguay international has now completed his move to the club on a three-year deal, having signed for the club prior to the World Cup following the expiry of his previous contract with Belgian side Club Brugge.

Wigna manager Roberto Martinez is delighted to have finally netted his man, especially after reports had suggested a bigger club was ready to snap him up following some impressive performances in South Africa.

“It’s fantastic news that we can finally confirm the arrival of a defender who I feel was one of the very best at this summer’s World Cup, this is a massive boost for the club and we are thrilled to welcome him on board,” Martinez told the club’s official website.

Alcaraz is now cleared to start working with the rest of the squad:

“I am so happy that everything has gone through now,” he said.

“I want to thank Roberto and the club for all the hard work to get me to Wigan and now I just want to play football.

“The Premier League is a big challenge for every player and I can’t wait to get started.”

WIGAN BOSS BACKS ENGLAND

Posted on June 1, 2010

WITH less than 24 hours before Fabio Capello unveils his World Cup squad, Roberto Martinez believes England will never have a better chance of repeating their 1966 triumph.

The action in South Africa gets underway in just 11 days, and Capello is putting the finishing touches to his 23-man pool of talent.

Former Latics striker Emile Heskey is keeping his fingers crossed he’s made the final cut, while Leighton Baines is set to be the first graduate of Wigan’s youth system to appear on the biggest stage of all. And despite his native Spain being the favoured choice of a number of experts, the Wigan manager feels his adopted country need fear no-one under Capello.

Martinez told the Evening Post: “England probably have as good a chance as they have ever had in the World Cup. There is a group of four teams that could all win it – Spain, Brazil, Argentina and England – and they are all a step ahead of the rest.

“I think we would all agree that probably England’s biggest weakness is in goal, and it is a position where all the other teams are a little bit stronger. But in all the other areas England are definitely as strong as every other team.”

Sinclair heading back

Posted on May 5, 2010

Scott Sinclair aims to return to Chelsea Football Club next season.

The young forward has been on loan at Wigan Athletic for the 2009-2010 campaign, but he has endured a frustrating time and has started just one time in the Premier League.

He has made a further seventeen appearances from the substitutes bench and has convinced boss Roberto Martinez he is worth an extended stay, but the 21-year-old isn’t so keen.

“I’ve had a frustrating season because I haven’t really played as much as I would like,” said Sinclair. “But I think I’ve learned a lot off the field, because I haven’t been on it much.

“Next season I’m just going to go back to Chelsea and see what happens. I haven’t really planned that far ahead. I just need to speak to the gaffer, see what happens and go from there.”