Football Season Guide

There was a lot of optimism surrounding Wigan a year ago as they managed to return to the Championship at the first time of asking and few could have predicted that they would end up being relegated from the second tier so easily after only one year. Gary Caldwell, who was relegated with them to League One a year-and-a-half earlier and then lead them to promotion, lost his job early in the season. His replacement, Warren Joyce, was unable to steady the ship as the Latics were relegated. They ended the season with interim coach Graham Barlow in charge. However, the club obviously did not need a lot of time to identify their desired new manager as Paul Cook joined from Portsmouth on the last day of May. With Wigan winning the FA Cup and having their eight-year top flight stay ended four years ago, their ultimate goal is to return to the Premier League but their mid-term goal is to return to the second tier and Cook will be under pressure to achieve that immediately. Despite their relegation, the Latics have managed to keep the core of the squad together. Matt Gilks, Stephen Warnock and Jake Buxton are the only players of real note to depart. Having said that, the Latics have been rather cautious in the transfer market and have made only four signings so far, with tricky winger Gavin Massey being the most notable addition to the squad. Wigan's problem last season was a lack of cohesion rather than a lack of quality. They would have probably stayed in the Championship had they clicked better and, if Cook manages to get this group of players to play anywhere near their full potential, Wigan will be serious contenders to bounce straight back up.