Wigan : The Next Phase

Momentum and confidence if these were commodities, then their share price would be higher than rhodium. When a team or an individual has momentum they hold onto it for as long as possible and to ensure the decline isn't as steep. The other side of the equation, losing becomes a habit leading to a lack of confidence and momentum which lowers morale and is difficult to arrest the slide without major changes in personnel and attitude which take times to adjust.

At the end of last season Wigan Athletic were one of the few teams who didn't want the season to end when it did. After a poor start where relegation was looking likely, they turned it around playing some high quality passing football and getting results eventually surviving comfortably relative to their positon at Christmas.

On the back of that form, the question was Wigan: Where To Now? . Finally Victor Moses was sold to Chelsea, where his career will stall as he needs playing time at this stage of his career not get saddle soreness from warming the bench. Wigan should have held out for money but the best part of business this season was retaining Roberto Martinez as manager especially after the annual silly season speculation on his future.

Not quite there

Wigan's start to the season has been mixed. As with Roberto Martinez sides they tend to struggle early as they incorporate new signings into the specific system that Martinez wants Wigan to play. Naturally it's easier to get adjusted to the Stoke City or West Ham where the ball bypasses the midfield and a chimpanzee with minimal training could fit into their systems. Once the players get used to it, then we have seen the results for the Latics.


Roberto Martinez

Of the five league matches so far, only the Stoke City match at home would classify as 2 points thrown away. Wigan had more than enough chances to bury Stoke, but that's the old Wigan disease of not converting chances, it only takes a defensive lapse to be punished. The first 15 minutes against Chelsea and last half against Man United were poor. Defensively they lost their shape and discipline, this is the easiest part of the game to get right, yet the most neglected. No, it doesn't mean having 10-0-0 but it's about reading the play and having good decision making.

What the season has confirmed so far that the gap between the starting 11 and the squad players needs to close. Yes, the two League Cup wins which the reserves have shone has been positive though it's at a lower level.

Depth

Watson and Gomez should never start together, yet they are among the first subs to used. Gomez while he has good technique his decision making is poor, he passes when he should shoot and vice versa. With he and Watson the passing tempo is so slow than the Over 45s pub team could get men behind the ball. Wigan are at their best when the tempo is varied and not so narrow which was a problem against Fulham, a team they've also struggled with.

For all the stick he gets Alcaraz not being at the centre of defence is a big loss. It took him time to adjust to the EPL , once he adjusted, his partnership with Caldwell flourished and his presence helped Caldwell in other areas. Yes, can tinker in other areas but Alcaraz/Caldwell are the best defensive combination which leads on to the new recruit Ivan Ramis. There have been some differing views on Ramis, it was down to him that Chelsea scored their two goals so early, he got a bath and tough introduction into the league. Yes, he defended like Harald Ramis in that match and the price tag at the time was high. It'll take time for him to adjust and think eventually he will do so, currently he has a way to go.


Franco Di Santo

A few things Fulham match showed was that Wigan miss Franco di Santo. Never thought that I'd say that and mean it. Yes, I have been pretty critical of di Santo previously, he was one along with Beausejour who wished last season hadn't ended when it did. He gained confidence from that, while he'll never score plenty of goals he can hold the ball well, has good technique and his presence has helped Kone settle in quickly. Di Santo/Kone has shown promising signs of a fruitful partnership which is something Wigan has lacked previously.

When di Santo wasn't there, the attacking options were poor with Beausejour just hitting crosses and hoping for the best. Kone needs the ball to feet to be most effective and di Santo is a perfect foil. Ryo Miyaichi and Callum McManaman showed some positive signs in their cameos against Fulham. As the season progresses, hope they will get more opportunities and develop as Wigan need pace and width to stretch the defences to create space for Maloney, Kone and di Santo.


Arouna Kone

So far the season hasn't been bad for Wigan, but they need to improve their home form. The squad players have to take their opportunities when offered. Controlling the tempo when in possession was vital to their revival, not just pedestrian passes which do nothing except build up possession stats.

Saturday's match against Sunderland is an important one even at this stage of the season. Hopefully they remember the positive memories of the fixture last year where they did the football a world a favour and helped Steve Bruce get sacked. More importantly a win here can create positive momentum in the pursuit of an improved final league position.