Football Season Guide

A new era beckons at the DW Stadium after Wigan Athletic bid a fond farewell to former boss, Roberto Martinez who left for pastures new and a new challenge at Everton following the Latics relegation from the top flight. Wigan will be looking to take advantage of parachute payments to make an immediate return to the Premier League. New boss, Owen Coyle has experience in building promotion-winning sides, having prevailed in the playoffs with Burnley and he has wasted no time in rebuilding his squad following the departure of key figures such as Arouna Kone, Maynor Figueroua and Antonlin Alcaraz. Coyle has sought power and experience in attack and successfully tempted Grant Holt away from Norwich City, while Marc Antoine Fortune also arrived on a free transfer. The Frenchman has top flight pedigree from his time at West Bromwich Albion. Former England international keeper Scott Carson has returned from Turkish football to provide competition for Ali Al-Habsi. Coyle has also added a sprinkling of Championship experience with Chris McCann, James Perch and Stephen Crainey each with hundreds of games under the belt. A challenge for automatic promotion would be seen as a must given the considerable reinvestment in the playing squad this summer.