Derby County boss Phillip Cocu believes his team have a realistic chance of making the playoffs with another nine games left in the Championship season. The Rams have recently found form with back-to-back league victories and that has propelled them to the top half of the table for the first time since November.
Moreover, they are now within five points off sixth-placed Preston North End and Cocu feels the team could make a late push for a playoff spot, he told: “There is always a chance if you count the amount of games and points. We have some difficult games to play against teams above us, but if you have a result against them you get closer. (more…)
Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook is optimistic of the club’s chances of avoiding relegation from the Championship despite their poor form over the past seven games. The Latics are winless since the backend of October and they have recently dropped into the relegation places after a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Reading.
Speaking in a press conference, Cook acknowledged that the Latics find themselves in a tough space but he has the belief that the club can stay away from the relegation places again, he told: “We’ve got to knuckle down and keep going. We’ve got central midfielders out at the minute, we’ve got other players who affect games out at the minute. We’re in a tough position, but we got out of it quite comfortably last year. And I believe we’ll get out of it quite comfortably again. Certainly November and December is not the kind of time you can be saying what may or may not happen further down the line.” (more…)
Wigan Athletic goalkeeper David Marshall has said that Scotland have one of the best sides ever with the number of top players emerging from the Premier League. Scotland have struggled to compete in major tournaments over the past couple of decades but there is plenty of optimism for the future with the current crop of players.
Speaking in a press conference, Marshall acknowledged that Scotland are not going through the best of spells but it can’t be ignored that the squad is much stronger compared to yesteryears, he told: “Obviously making that comment when we are getting beat you leave yourself open to criticism, which is fine. I can only say what I honestly feel, and I honestly feel the lads are at a great age. I can’t remember too many starting sides when the majority of them are playing at the level that these boys, the Prem boys, are playing at. It might not be this month or next month, but I genuinely do feel there are reasons to be optimistic.” (more…)
Wigan Athletic faced Birmingham City on Tuesday in the Championship in what was expected to be an exciting encounter. However, the match was underwhelming with both sides failing to bring attacking impetus to the game.
The match started with Wigan starting brightly with the attack combining early for an attempt on goal by the home team.
Gavin Massey located Windass with a good pass and he made an attempt that was well saved by Kieffer Moore. Windass continued to have a good opening half finding space to test Camp into making a sharp save.
Birmingham settled into the game after the early storm and the match became stale with neither side having much joy in creating chances. Dan Crowley had the first shot for the away team who struggled with their shooting all night. (more…)
Wigan Athletic winger Nathan Bryne has said that the Latics have nothing to be worried about despite a slow beginning to the Championship campaign. Paul Cook’s side started the season with a stunning triumph over Cardiff City but they have since succumbed to four league defeats on the bounce.
As such, there are already question marks whether they can avoid the dreaded drop but Bryne has insisted that the performances should get better, once the new players are able to adjust to the club’s style of play, he told: “It is going to take some time for us all to get used to each other’s play, with so many new players. (more…)
Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook has expressed his delight after the club managed to beat the Championship drop with two games to spare. The Latics have found themselves in a relegation heap in the past few months but they have managed to survive the threat with back-to-back triumphs over Leeds United and Preston North End.
Speaking after the win over Preston, Cook said: “We’re delighted. When you start off a season like we did, so strong and playing so well, we all thought staying up might be a formality. But then you get into the winter, injuries kick in to key players, and it’s a really tough time for the club. In the lowest moments we all thought about possibly getting relegated. But football is a long, long season, and you have to stay the pace. League tables don’t tell lies, everyone finishes where they deserve to finish, and we’re delighted to be staying up.” (more…)
Wigan Athletic earned a tough draw away to Birmingham City last weekend. The Blues scored early with Lukas Jutkiewicz slotting past Wigan keeper Jamie Jones. However, the Latics responded quickly by hitting the posts midway into the half and also saw a good chance blocked on the line by Wes Harding.
Wigan continued to pile the pressure and finally got their reward on the stroke of halftime as star player Nick Powell scored via a deflection from outside the 18. The second half saw chances few and far between as both clubs were content to hold out for a draw. (more…)
Wigan Athletic’s executive chairman Darren Royle has said that the club are not in a desperation stage with regards to the future of Nick Powell. The former Manchester United graduate has just three months remaining on his existing deal with Wigan Athletic but Royle has indicated that the club are not overly worried about the situation.
Speaking to The Wigan Post, Royle hailed the talents of the forward and suggested that the club would like to keep him on an extended deal. He added that talks are still ongoing regarding a probable extension and he is hopeful that the 24-year-old commits his future to the club, he said: “Nick’s a wonderful talent, and at times unplayable. We’d love to keep him here, I think it’s just an ongoing dialogue-type situation. (more…)
Wigan Athletic are currently five points off the relegation places in the Championship with 14 games to go. The club recently took a break in the weekend with no fixture to play and made a warm-weather trip to the middle east for a training camp.
The training camp was a moment for the players to recharge their batteries after a gruelling season which has seen the club surpass expectations. After winning promotion from League One last season, Wigan was the bookie’s favourites to be relegated from the Championship this season. (more…)
Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook said that his players will have to fight hard if they want to win their next game against Rotherham. He said that their opponents are a really good team and that it will be very difficult to get a result there.
He said that Paul Warne has made a great job as the coach of Rotherham and that his players always give their best on the pitch. He said that this will not be an easy game and that they will have to make sure that they prepare well for the game. (more…)