Football Season Guide

The glory days of Wigan Athletic feel like a distant memory to supporters as they head into the new season with a sense of fear and dread. 13 years ago Ben Watson headed home a famous last-minute winner against Manchester City as the Latics lifted the F.A. Cup at Wembley. Now under the unenthusiastic ownership of Mike Danson, they’re facing a second successive battle against relegation from League One. Head coach Gary Caldwell, who returned to the club in February, admits the Latics need signings “across the board.” The squad is overwhelming undercooked and they’re not ready for the big kick-off. It comes on the back of a poor campaign which threatened to turn into calamity under former head coach Ryan Lowe. Caldwell came to rescue after Lowe was sacked, slowly but steadily guiding the side away from relegation and to the safety of 16th place. One of the key factors was the form and goals of striker Joe Taylor, signed on loan from Huddersfield Town shortly before Caldwell’s arrival. Taylor is one of seven starters from the final day of the season to have left the club. There was little surprise when Bristol City finally snapped up outstanding goalkeeper Sam Tickle. Wing-back Raphael Borges Rodrigues and midfielder Callum Wright were always going to return to their parent clubs whilst Matt Smith has turned down the offer of a new deal in search of a Championship club. Jason Kerr and Will Aimson were a regular feature in the centre of defence last season but it’s clear Caldwell felt he could replace them with better players. So far only Dunfermline Athletic captain and player-of-the-season Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen has been signed in that position. Joe Walsh has the unenviable task of replacing fan-favourite Tickle. Max Power knows the club and returns after a strong season with Bradford City. Ryan Trevitt will partner him in the middle of the park if he can get himself fit. The biggest area of concern is in attack. Christian Saydee and Dara Costelloe disappointed in equal measure last season whilst supporters of new signing Sonny Perkins former club Leyton Orient would say something similar about his performances. It leaves a sense of unease that things could fall apart at the Brick Stadium.