Latics’ Honduran connection was out in force at the club shop today as Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa were on hand to launch a limited edition poster celebrating Figs’ 60-yard goal against Stoke in December.

Attendees could also attempt to recreate the wonder strike out in the DW car park, where a training goal had been set up near the West Stand ticket office. As it transpired, not many managed to score — even from a distance ever so slightly shorter than sixty yards — though Hendry and Maynor had no problem at all.

A group of schoolkids, probably bussed in to ensure at least someone turned up on a Thursday afternoon, cheered heartily as Figueroa successfully placed the ball into the net just as he had done four months ago.

Read the rest of this entry »

Brucey wants Fig Roller

It’s being reported once again in this morning’s press that former Latics gaffer Steve Bruce wants Maynor Figueroa to follow him to Sunderland. The whole thing is certainly no secret, as Bruce has been trying to nab the Honduran for a good few months; since he left for the Black Cats, in fact.

Bruce, who first brought Figueroa to the Wigan in December 2008, has already captured former Latics man Lee Cattermole and wants to boost his defensive credentials ahead of what he hopes will be a European-challenging 2009/10 campaign. Sunderland currently lie eighth in the table, two points behind an ailing Liverpool and just four points away from a European cup spot.

Fans of both Wigan and Sunderland will no doubt remember Bruce’s protracted battle for Cattermole, who eventually left Latics for a fee in the region of £8million, only to be injured in just his eighth competitive game for the Black Cats. Many claimed the ‘curse of Wigan’ had struck once again, but in truth, this type of injury is always on the cards with a player such as Catts.

Figueroa faces up to another four weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a serious knee injury during Latics’ 3-1 win over Burnley last month, but is expected to recover in time for the January transfer window. Figures in the region of five or six million are being touted, though you can expect Dave Whelan to scrap for every extra penny.

Read the rest of this entry »