Football Season Guide

It’s been a tumultuous few years for Wigan Athletic since Dave Whelan sold up back in 2018. The Latics were relegated from the Championship in 2021 having been deducted points after going into administration. They were promoted back in 2022 only to be relegated again in 2023. Shaun Maloney provided some much needed stability but was sacked in March after it was decided he wasn’t the man to take them any further. That task falls to Ryan Lowe, who has made an inauspicious start with just two wins in his first dozen matches as they finished in 15th place. In his defence he inherited a bloated squad with several injuries, and he has begun to shape his squad over the summer. Goals were a real problem last season and they have lost leading goalscorer Dale Taylor, who returned to parent club Nottingham Forest following a successful season-long loan. Clearly a priority, the arrivals of Christian Saydee from Portsmouth, Dara Costelloe from Burnley and Paul Mullin, on a season-long loan from Wrexham, should collectively provide a solution to those issues. Otherwise there is plenty of strength already in the squad. Sam Tickle is one of the best goalkeepers in the division. Jason Kerr and Will Aimson formed a strong central-defensive partnership. James Carragher brings versatility alongside his clear potential. The centre of midfield is stacked. A fit-again Matt Smith could be really influential alongside Callum Wright, who has signed on a season-long loan from Lowe’s former club Plymouth Argyle. Playmaker Ronan Darcy replaced fans favourite Thelo Aasgaard in January and he’ll be hoping to make his mark this time around. There is also an abundance of wingers, which allows for rotation and flexibility. One or two more shrewd additions and the Latics could be one of the dark horses this season.