WIGAN ATHLETIC DEFEAT WOLVES 2-1

Posted on November 6, 2016

Wigan Athletic defeated Wolverhampton 2-1in the English Championship.

The victory ensures Wigan moves from the bottom of the table as a late Will Grigg’s goal gave them full points.

Wigan started the game on a good note. Former Wolves striker Adam le Fondre scored the game’s first in the 5th minute. Max Power sent a close range cross which he converted. The visitors equalized in the 34th minute through Prince Oniangue. Oniangue sent a low finish from 18 yards, but the visitors couldn’t get a share of the point. Grigg’s goal ensured the host won the match 2-1.

Wigan’s last win was on August 13th. The victory over Wolves is the first in nine league matches, and it raises the team to the 21st position in the standings. On the other hand, Wolves went into the game with back-to-back wins against Newcastle and Brentford. At the DW stadium, their attack left much to be desired.

For Le Fondre, the night would not be forgotten in a hurry as he became the third ex-Wolves player to score against his former club in the Championship this season. He got the goal from six yards out. Wolves could have buried the game after their equalizer after Congo captain Oniangue scored.

After the recess, Danny Batth almost got a winner but his effort was stopped in time. The Lactics would savour their second victory this campaign. Wigan enjoyed more ball possession, but couldn’t get more shots into the box.

Wolves had ten shots, but only four were on target.

In other games played in the Championship, Burton played a 1-1 draw with QPR, and the Barnsley-Aston Villa affair ended the same way. Brentford thrashed Reading 4-0, while Sheff Wed defeated Blackburn 1-0. Birmingham and Preston played a 2-2 draw, but Bristol defeated Leeds 1-0. Huddersfield tops the standing with 22 points.

Injuries and defeats, it’s been a nightmare for Gary Caldwell

Posted on October 16, 2016

The early stages of the 2016-17 season of the English League Championship of Wigan Athletic has been a forgettable one as they have lost 5 matches, drawn 1 and only won 1 game out of their initial 7 games of the season.

These consistent defeats has left Wigan Athletic on the bottom spots of the English League Championship as they are located at the 23rd spot after only being able to collect 4 points from the possible 21.

Gary Caldwell is the head coach of Wigan Athletic and the 34 year old Scottish manager tried to pump his squad up with a positive vibe as he said: “We’ll be going to Norwich to win. We always set up that way, regardless of what kind of run we’re on. As a player you have to adopt a mentality of putting defeats to the back of your mind and try to perform and win the game. It will be a tough challenge, but I believe this group of players can go there and perform.”

That is the statement which was released by Caldwell before his squad had faced off with Norwich City and ultimately lost 1-2 on September 13.

Not only is Wigan Athletic suffering consistent defeats but the team of Gary Caldwell has also seen one of their more influential players as the summer signing Nick Powell was unable to play against Norwich City due to a groin problem that the 22 year old midfielder has recently been suffering from.

It still remains uncertain as to how long Nick Powell will be on the sidelines but having such a key player out of action for a club that has been struggling so much to snatch a convincing victory is a huge blow for Wigan Athletic and this could lead to even more defeats which is not what the recently promoted club wanted to go through.

WIGAN ATHLETIC BACK OUT OF PATERSON DEAL

Posted on September 7, 2016

Wigan Athletic have backed out from signing Hearts right back Callum Paterson.

The Sky Bet Championship club were attracted to the 21-year old rising star, joining other clubs keen on adding the player to their squad this summer. Championship side Newcastle were one of the top sides linked to Paterson all summer but they didn’t get him.

Scottish News outlet Daily Record reports that Wigan will not make an improved bid this summer to sign Paterson. Wigan had submitted a bid of £600,000 for the London-born defender but the Scottish club rejected the offer. The Lactics were supposed to improve on the offer but reports say they have opted out from the deal, meaning Paterson would likely remain with Hearts as the transfer window rushes for a close.

Former Celtic and Hibs defender Gary Caldwell who is the current manager of Wigan really wanted to lure Paterson back to the south of the border. Hearts would have been preparing for another approach but Wigan would have to let go. Record Sport say the major reason for the pull out is because Wigan know the capital club is holding out to get the most from the deal, and the Championship side were not prepared to drop as much as the fee could run into a million. Wigan are aware the deal with Paterson has entered its last year, with talks for a new deal stalled. Also, Robbie Neilson revealed that Paterson was an integral member of his squad, so he would not be sold cheap or for the sake of it.

Paterson has 145 games in all competitions for the Jambos in his belt. The Scottish side is looking at making a real chase at the title this season. Former Hearts forward Scott Crabbe opines that the new look of the team is enough to threaten any side in the Scottish Premier ship.

Wigan Athletic might make a bid for former player Jordi Gomez

Posted on August 14, 2016

There is news that Wigan Athletic might consider making a move for their former player Jordi Gomez.

The latter currently plays for Sunderland and may consider leaving the Premier League side during the summer. Indeed, he has been informed by the manager Sam Allardyce that he does not form part of his plan for next season and that he will be better off looking for another club.

Jordi Gomez was a favorite player among the Wigan’s fans, and he will certainly bring some additional quality to a midfield that appeared quite dull in some games. Gomez was supposed to join Wigan Athletic last January, but instead, he chose to play the remaining part of the season with Blackburn Rovers.

With Wigan Athletic having won the promotion to the Championship, the board will be keen to strengthen the team so as to be able to compete. It is believed that the Wigan coach will be given a substantial amount of money in order to bring players that will be able to bring the club upwards. Signing a player such as Jordi Gomez will definitely help to strengthen the team not only in terms of ability but also in terms of experience.

It is also believed that Wigan Athletic might also make a bid for Barnsley player ConorHourihane. The 25-year old player was instrumental in Barnsley’s successful season, and it is reported that there are many clubs that are interested in the player. Wigan is reported to have made inquiries about the player as they attempt to build a side that can mount a serious promotion push.

With a midfield consisting of Jordi Gomez and ConorHourihane, Gary Caldwell will have one of the best midfield of the Championship, and this may help them compete for a play-off place.

Wigan Athletic are only looking to add to their squad

Posted on July 16, 2016

Wigan Athletic are only looking to add to their squad and not sell any players in the summer transfer window, according to manager Gary Caldwell.

After having achieved promotion with the former FA Cup winners,Caldwell is keen towards maintaining the club’s position in the Championship. It presents a lot of difficulties sinceCaldwell is aware that the English second division is one of the toughest in the world to survive. Teams that are expected to achieve promotion at the start of the campaign could get relegated and vice versa.Caldwell wants to be well prepared and he has confirmed that there is money available to spend.

However,Caldwell is not planning to spend a significant chunk of his transfer money on players just for the sake of buying. Instead, he has a list of well researched targets who will be purchased only if they meet the requirements of the club. Furthermore, Wigan are not planning to sell any of the squad who have contributed immensely to the club’s promotion. So far, Wigan have been able to add only one player – Stephen Warnock – to the squad. The left back, though, brings valuable experience to the team after having represented numerous clubs over the last decade.

Caldwell enjoyed success in the transfer market last summer and he will be hoping to repeat the same.“I think there’s always money to spend, on the right player. And we’ve tried to identify young players, who we feel we can improve and add value to.But we also have to be sensible, and look for value in players who are free and also available for loan.We’re working hard on all those fronts to be able to attract the quality that will help the already-strong group we have here,” said the Wigan Athletic manager.

Wigan Athletic rejoiced at their return to the Championship

Posted on June 23, 2016

Wigan Athletic rejoiced at their return to the Championship, but manager Gary Caldwell says that the club need to strengthen in almost every area of the pitch.

He says that failure to do so may result in a swift return to the League One. Only a few years ago, Wigan were winners of the FA Cup. However, relegation from the top division that campaign resulted in a slide, which has been arrested only now. Caldwell has been the manager to get Wigan back to the English second division. Even though this remains a huge achievement, the 34-year-old says that the real work only begins now.

There is even a possibility that the club may consider challenging for a swift return to the Premier league from this position. Due to the excellent facilities, it may not be long before Wigan attract top quality players to the DW stadium. Caldwellclaims that he is working extremely hard in order to secure players before their rivals take advantage of the availability. Wigan have the advantage of being aware of the league status much sooner than clubs from the play-offs. Wigan were promoted automatically after finishing two points ahead of Burton Albion.

Caldwell has also been named as the League One manager of the year.“I think we’ll need to strengthen everywhere next year.And we’ve spoken to the players and told them they’ll need to get better.I’ve told them they’re all Championship players now, they’ve earned that right.But with that comes responsibility, and a standard they have to live up to.Over the summer they’ll have to be ready to come back and improve even more. I’ll get a week away with the kids, but even then I’ll still be on the phone, doing certain things,” said Caldwell about the plans for the summer.

WIGAN ATHLETIC PRODUCE SLIM MARGIN WIN OVER COVENTRY

Posted on May 5, 2016

League One side, Wigan Athletic defeated Coventry in a slim 1-0 margin but was enough to give the team the three points they required to sit atop the table.

The match played on Saturday gives Wigan Athletic a four point edge over second placed Burton Albion.

Wigan Athletic have garnered 80 points in total from 41 matches in the third tier in the English football league system. Will Grigg scored the only goal of the encounter to ensure Wigan remain winners in five straight matches. The win also extended their unbeaten run to 20 matches.

Wigan Athletic won three straight matches late last month against Bradford City, Swindon Town and Rochdale. This month, the top team has defeated Shrewsbury Town 5-1 before this victory against Coventry City.

The goal scored makes Will Grigg’s 23rd of the season, and his 15th in the last 16 games. This makes the player the first Latics striker since Nathan Ellington 11 years ago to score 20 league goals.

Former Wigan striker Marc-Antoine Fortune came off the bench for Coventry in the last 30 minutes and sparked a surge in the attack in a bid to salvage a point but all efforts were wide off the mark. The trend just continues for him marking his unhappy two-year stint.

The goal from Grigg changed the game as Conventry City sat back and always wanted a break from a counter run. The Lactics also struggled to get more goals to seal the game off till the first half ended.

The second half started with Grigg and McAleny almost adding to the tally. Grigg has gotten a brace in the last 5-1 victory where he scored two goals in the second half. He kept trying but just couldn’t add more until the half ended.

Wigan Athletic

Posted on April 3, 2016

It was a mixed fortune for Wigan Athletic Football Club in the 2012/2013 season when the club was relegated from the EPL shortly after winning the Football Association Cup.

Managed by Roberto Martinez, the club dazed all football watchers when against all odds went ahead to win the trophy after defeating Manchester City at the final.

However, the 2012/2013 FA Cup was not the first time the club was having a feel of football honours as it finished as champions of the Cheshire League during the 1933/1934 season. That victory was soon followed by another when it won the league championship.

Wigan Athletic was formed in 1932, which makes it one of the youngest clubs in the English league. Its formation came shortly after the winding up of Wigan Borough a year before.

Wigan, whose home jersey is the famous blue and white stripes; was bought in 1995 by millionaire Dave Whelan, the famous owner of JJB Sports.

Determined to maintain its status in the top echelon of English football, the club appointed one of its former players as manager. Roberto Martinez became the club’s manager during the 2009/2010 season, and recorded one of its biggest wins ever by beating Chelsea 3-1. During the Martinez’s reign as manager, the club battled for relegation, won the FA Cup against Manchester City, and eventually got relegated the same season.

The club set an unwanted record in the 2012/2013 season when it became the first team to be relegated after winning the FA Cup. The club’s relegation to the lower league left bad taste in the mouth of some of its key players and manager as it was hit by departures—notably that of Roberto Martinez.

The DW Stadium where the club plays its home matches, has a capacity of 25,138.

Some of Wigan’s key players include:
• Tim Chow
• David Perkins
• Sam Morsy
• Max Power
• Reece James
• Lee Nichols
• Jordan Flores
• Reece Wabara

Sam Morsy and Ryan Colclough are the latest signings of Wigan Athletic

Posted on March 3, 2016

Gary Caldwell has reinforced his team by making a double signing as he secured the services of Sam Morsy from Chesterfield and Ryan Colclough who arrived from Crewe Alexandra, both of them were signed for undisclosed fees.

Sam Morsy is a 24 year old English midfielder who used to be the captain of Chesterfield and he decided to pen a 2 and half year long deal with Wigan Athletic meanwhile Ryan Colclough opted to sign a 3 and half year contract with the English League One club.

After both of these deals were officially complete, the head coach of Wigan Athletic, Gary Caldwell told the media that these have been players that were in his watch-list for quite some time now as the Scottish manager said: “They are players we have been keeping a close eye on so to be able to get both over the line now is a major boost for us.’’

“We saw their talent first-hand in matches this season and they both were both standout players in matches against Chesterfield and Crewe respectively. They are exactly the type of players we want at Wigan Athletic, young and hungry, but with plenty of experience at this level at the same time as having the ability to progress and play in a higher division.’’

Wigan Athletic is located in the top spots of the English League One and Gary Caldwell is hoping that their fine form continues on as promotion is the main objective of the team in this season and the Football League Championship is within their reach.

Even though Gary Caldwell signed these players only a few days ago, he is already thinking about which players to bring into the team next and he is targeting Sunderland’s Jordi Gomez. It’s believed that Wigan Athletic will attempt to sign the 30 year old Spanish midfielder during the summer transfer window.

Gary Caldwell says that the club should start doing well

Posted on January 21, 2016

Wigan manager Gary Caldwell says that the club should start doing well in the home matches if their league position is to improve substantially.

After continuous relegations, the club finds itself in League One in the space of a few years. They have targeted a return to the Championship, but it is proving much difficult than expected. The club are 6th in the league table with several points already separating them from the table leaders. It looks like the club will have to settle for a play-off place, which is highly speculative, in order to reach the Championship.

Caldwell, though, still believes that the club will be able to achieve automatic promotion. However, he says that a huge improvement in home form has to take place in order to do so.Caldwell was speaking after the club recently fought heavily and managed a 3-2 win over Gillingham. This victory ended two back-to-back 1-0 losses at the hands of Burton Albion and Blackpool.Caldwell says that it is normal for every team to go through a blip, but are recovering from it is the test of a character of the team. The DW stadium has been a fortress in the past, but the club has taken only 21 points from a possible 33 this season.

“We had a little blip, I think every team has it. You’re not going to go through a season with everything plain sailing.You have to deal with that and we have on the road, which was more pressure.We’ve regrouped in terms of getting results, now we have to get our home form back on track – especially against teams above us in the league.The home games now become very important. We have to go in front of our own fans and win,” said the manager.