by David Wilson on September 1, 2010
For the first time Premier League teams had to name a 25-man squad for the first half of the EPL season and there was a couple of surprises.
All 20 clubs had to submit a squad of up to 25 players containing no more than 17 players who do not qualify as homegrown. Homegrown players are classed as players who “irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday”. Read more... (1279 words, 1 image, estimated 5:07 mins reading time)
by Damian Cooper on August 31, 2010
So as the dust settles until January, three of the seven transfers that were being rumoured as the day began actually happened. Gyan, Di Santos and Hleb all making the moves they were expected to make as the day started. Once again though as predicted, the 24 hour rolling news channels were making up their own stories. If Scott Parker had left West Ham in this transfer window then the Chariman would have had to leave West Ham as well. He came out weeks ago with a statement that would have made his position unteneable if Parker had gone. Yet the television got a lot of coverage out of the nothing story that he was on his way to Spurs. Read more... (329 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
by Damian Cooper on August 1, 2010
It’s time to consider the prospects for Wigan Athletic this season as we continue to work our way up the table. The season marks Roberto Martinez’s second full season (well at least he hopes it will be) at the helm.
The most notable foray in to the transfer market by the Spaniard this Summer was the capture of Mauro Boselli from Estudiantes. The Argentine striker set the Latics back six million pounds. With just two national caps to his name, the forward brings with him an excellent scoring record from the Argentine League. In 57 appearances for Estudiantes he scored 32 goals. The Wigan boss will be hoping Boselli can settle in to the team quickly and forge an exciting partnership with Rodallega. Read more... (466 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)
by Patton Hunnicutt on May 7, 2010
Wigan has a potential championship-deciding match with Chelsea this weekend. If Wigan can pull something out against Chelsea then they spoil Chelsea’s whole season in one feel swoop–and United would be ripe to step in and take the Premier League title from the Blues. However, this seems like a pipedream when a team that isn’t very good suddenly decides it wants to do something great. Roberto Martinez said so: Read more... (330 words, 2 images, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
by Patton Hunnicutt on March 30, 2010
photo credit: gordonflood.com
A hat-trick in 19 minutes–geez!
Carlos Tevez put in hat-trick against Wigan and in the process became the most lauded man in the building and the shadiest man in the building.
He scored 3 goals in the final 19 minutes of the match to give Man City the 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic. That’s a pretty amazing feat considering how difficult it is to score just one goal in a match.
However, Tevez was also involved and compared to harsh challenges in the match. Tevez leapt in the air over a challenge and Wigan’s Gary Caldwell led with one leg. Somehow this challenge resulted in a red card for Caldwell. Read more... (334 words, 2 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
by David on March 16, 2010
James Milner delivered an inspirational performance as Aston Villa closed in behind the Champions League chasing pack with a 2-1 win at Wigan.
The midfielder further enhanced his claims for an England World Cup place by scoring a second-half winner as Villa edged an absorbing Barclays Premier League encounter against the Latics.
Both sides created numerous chances as they chased points for contrasting reasons but the quality of 24-year-old Milner, who claimed his 10th goal of the season, proved the difference. Read more... (260 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)
by David on February 17, 2010
This was not a game that will ever be shown on a Premier League highlight DVD as Wigan and Bolton fought out a 0-0 draw that left both sides deep in trouble at the foot of the Premier League table Wednesday.
Wigan came closest to breaking the deadlock when Charles N’Zogbia cut in from the right, passed two defenders but saw his shot hit the inside of the far post. Bolton’s Matt Taylor had three good chances to score but failed on a wet, miserable night. Read more... (154 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)
by David Wilson on June 4, 2009
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is certain that Roberto Martinez will be confirmed as the club’s new manager in the next 24 hours.
The Latics have been given permission to open talks with the Swansea boss following the departure of Steve Bruce to Sunderland.
Liberty Stadium chief Huw Jenkins granted Wigan’s request to approach their highly-rated manager once a settlement package, believed to be in the region of £2million was agreed.
Former Latics favourite Martinez, one of the club’s famed ‘Three Amigos’, is now set to hold talks with chief executive Brenda Spencer to finalise his switch to the Premier League side. Read more... (480 words, 1 image, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on May 13, 2009
Michael Carrick’s late winner moved Manchester United to within a point of a third successive Premier League title with a battling victory at Wigan.
Hugo Rodallega brushed off Nemanja Vidic to give Wigan a shock lead after 28 minutes. Substitute Carlos Tevez’s outrageous flick diverted in Carrick’s shot to level for United after 61 minutes. And Carrick sealed a crucial win to put United on the brink of glory with a 20-yard finish four minutes from time.
United struggled in the face of Wigan’s resilient challenge – but Sir Alex Ferguson’s celebrations after Carrick’s winner emphasised the importance of these three points and how close his side now are to drawing level with Liverpool’s record tally of 18 titles. Read more... (553 words, 1 image, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on May 13, 2009
Manchester United can take a massive stride towards securing a third successive title as they visit Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
United clinched last season’s Barclays Premier League crown with a 2-0 win at the JJB Stadium on the final day of the campaign and they can all but seal it again as they return to the happy hunting ground.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men need four points from their remaining three matches to be sure of being Premier League champions for an 11th time. Victory over the Latics would enable them to wrap it up at home to Arsenal on Saturday to equal Liverpool’s top-flight record of 18 titles. Read more... (234 words, estimated 56 secs reading time)
