Nickname(s): Latics
2008/2009 Position: 15th
2007/2008 Finish: 14th
Coach: Steve Bruce (England)
Stadium: JJB Stadium (25,138 capacity)
Key Players: Amr Zaki, Antonio Valencia, Wilson Palacios
History:
Wigan is one of the “newer” teams in English football as they were only founded in 1932. They are also one of the newer teams in the EPL as they have only been up in the top flight since 2004/2005. They are popular with the locals, but they have always had to compete with the nearby rugby team, the Wigan Warriors, for attention. As a result, they have one of the poorest attendance records in the EPL.
Wigan’s history of winning doesn’t begin until 1995 when David Whelan, a former Blackburn player, purchased the squad while it was suffering in the third tier. By 2005, Whelan had the Latics in the EPL, and they have not looked back since. It always hasn’t been pretty for Wigan, but they have managed to stay afloat for four seasons, which isn’t bad considering their history (or lack thereof).
Steve Bruce took over this club after a disastrous start to last season. Bruce is a former Man U star and was well known for his frenetic style of play, which he called “rampaging”. He is also known for being an “in demand” manager, and he could always end up leaving the Latics if a better offer came along. It would be a shame if he did, because he could make Wigan into a mid-table team.
Legends: Andy Liddell, Jimmy Bullard, Kevin Langley
American Sports Doppelganger: The Dallas Mavericks
2008/2009 Prediction: 15th
