Football Season Guide

Abdallah Lemsagam’s shadow looms large over Boundary Park as his chaotic ownership continues to lurch from controversy to crisis. Consistency and stability have been alien concepts, with the premature end to last season due to the Covid-19 pandemic barely registering on the scale. Laurent Banide lasted barely a month into the campaign before being sacked and was replaced by Dino Maamria. Their league position seems almost irrelevant with everything else going on. The Latics somehow pulled off a coup in the signing of striker Danny Rowe from AFC Fylde and, despite a disappointing set of results, things seemed to be heading in the right direction before Maamria was sacked in July. He was immediately replaced by Harry Kewell, who is clearly desperate to get back into the management. Less than a month into the job he faces a threat of transfer embargo with Lemsagam in a wage dispute with seven players over Covid-19 pandemic. Allegations of the owner’s interference in team selections continue with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Carl Piergianni’s loan moves being made permanent. Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor, defender Sido Jombati and midfielders Bobby Grant and Conor McAleny have plenty of league experience but it will be off-the-pitch matters that define the Latics season.