Tomorrow afternoon, Roberto Martinez will return to the Liberty Stadium for the first time since departing some 28 months ago. He and fellow ex-Swan Jordi Gomez were met with a frosty reception when a good 3,000-strong troupe of Swansea fans travelled to the DW for a Carling Cup Fourth Round tie last October, so I…
It’s been just under three months since Wigan’s near-miraculous great escape, and we’re already back in action for a brand new season of Premier League football. After such an intense finish to 2010-11, you’d have thought we might have been afforded a little more time. I for one am still recovering from the madness, and…
All the fun of a pre-season friendly, captured in glorious jpeggedness for your viewing delectation. Refer to the following gallery of photographs for a taste of the atmosphere at the DW Stadium, which saw the début of Wigan’s new home strip and more presentation-related mirth than you can squeeze into a fun-size serving of jamón…
Victor Moses was on the scoresheet as Latics rounded off a successful pre-season with a 1-0 win over Villarreal. The Nigerian, who’s been tipped by many –including myself– to fill a Charles N’Zogbia-sized hole, was set up wonderfully for an almost unmissable chance by Franco Di Santo seconds prior to the half time whistle. But…
After such a heart-stopping spring, we’ll all have been grateful of three months’ rest and relaxation. I know I certainly was, but the new season is almost here and it’s time to dig out the old scarf and Thermos for another hard-fought campaign. At the moment, I’m slightly apprehensive, but I’m sure this Sunday’s contest…
When one looks back on 2010/11 campaign, one will tend to remember the exploits of Ali Al Habsi and Charles N’Zogbia who played a large part in keeping the Latics afloat for another glorious season of Premier League football. Someone who, far from entering into the equation, may not even garner a mention is our…
Following 48 hours of intense speculation over the Spaniard’s future, Roberto Martinez has opted to stay at Wigan Athletic, putting pen to paper in a contract that will keep him at the club for three more years. It is thought Martinez rejected a deal with Aston Villa worth around twice his current contract because of…
As soon as it became clear Gerard Houllier would not return to manage Aston Villa, rumours about who should replace him began to fly. One of those in the running was Wigan’s own Roberto Martinez, who was immediately instated as the bookies’ third favourite when chairman Randy Lerner expressed an interest in the Spaniard. It…
The decision of who will win JWAW Goal of the Season 2011 is less clear cut than last year, which saw Maynor Figueroa take not only the Latics award but BBC’s Premier League-wide accolade as well. To genuinely beat a goalkeeper from 60 yards is quite remarkable, and it was always going to be hard…
This past season has seen more intrigue, magic, terror and excitement than an X-rated Harry Potter novel. A better comparison might be the 2006‐–07 Premier League campaign, which also saw Wigan scrape through by the skin of a skinny supermodel’s rice pudding. Actually, that’s a stupid comparison as the likes of Kate Moss would most…
If you reckoned nothing could top Wigan-West Ham, then the almost excruciating events of yesterday may well force you to rethink. It wasn’t a classic game of football by any means, and by pure footballing standards it was relatively tame in comparison. In football, however, context is everything, and you’d have been a fool to…
Latics ensured their Premier League survival with a significant away win, only their fourth of the season but arguably the most decisive. The tension and nerves of last week’s classic encounter with West Ham were simply hors d’oeuvres for today’s main course, which predictably proved nigh on indigestible for great periods. But did Martinez’s side…