The phrase that generally comes to mind for the opening game of a new campaign is ‘start as you mean to go on’, and by goodness I think we certainly did that this afternoon.
Granted, Villa weren’t at their fluent best, and seemed a long way from the team that put four past Steve Bruce’s men last season. But, as they say, you can only beat what’s put before you, and Wigan did so in fairly emphatic style.
The media gave Wigan absolutely no chance, with all but a couple of so-called ‘pundits’ that like to see themselves as ‘thinking outside the box’ predicting a win, if not a complete walkover, for Aston Villa. On the basis of competitive action, these were justified: on last season’s form, there would only ever be one winner. This isn’t last season, though, and the Villains, for the most part, weren’t quite at the game.
Likewise, John Carew, buoyed by a cracking midweek performance as Norway eased past Scotland, played no part due to an injury in the warm-up. On a different day, and with a bit more luck, he may perhaps have inspired Aston Villa to their expected win over the Latics.
It’s only just struck me that Latics have decided to officially launch their new Dutch-inspired away strip the day after England played Holland in an international friendly. Either this is all one big coincidence or these marketing types really know what they’re doing.
Actually, it’s more than likely the latter, as the kit launch even made Sky Sports News in the form of Dave Whelan, or Moneybags Whelan, as he has become known in the last 24 hours.
More on that later, but yes, the fact Mario and, erm, Rids(?) have put in appearance at the club shop to mark the occasion would seem to back up the theory that big-time sensibilities are beginning to kick in, at least where merchandising is concerned.
Well, I suppose we ought to face the fact we are a Premiership side now, and deserve some top-flight marketing. Top marks on that front, and I’m sure the Tangerine Dream will sell bucketloads as a consequence (despite the fact 50% of our fanbase seem to despise it, if experience is anything to go by).
For Latics fans old and new, a day that will live long in the memory is May 8 2005, the day Little Wigan reached the Promised Land: The Premier League.
A couple of years ago, I started work on a short video to commemorate the Latics’ promotion. Don’t ask me why it took so long, but over the weekend I got the chance to put some finishing touches to it and have finally got it online.
Whilst the England cricket team were rolling back the years over at Headingley with a performance more reminiscent of 1995 than 2005, Latics fans had their own bout of nostalgia on Saturday as the Three Amigos were once again reunited at the club that made their names. Well, probably.
As Isidro Diaz, Jesus Seba and of course Roberto Martinez emerged from the tunnel to the strains of Fatboy Slim’s Praise You, it was as if they’d never been away. After a warm reception and brief photocall with Dave Whelan, Issy and Jesus stayed on to sign some autographs while Bob retreated to the dressing rooms to gee up the Latics players for his home managerial debut.
Dan Farrimond 2008-2011. The views expressed on this site are those of biased northerners and should not be taken entirely seriously. Jesus Was A Wiganer is in no way affiliated with Wigan Athletic, Jesus Seba or the Wiganer Pub, Hindley.
