The Burning Question: Can Wigan Start Where They Left Off?

In the second of our “Burning Question” articles our contributors attempt the seemingly impossible; to predict the form of Wigan, arguably the most unpredictable team in Premier League history.

Take last season’s exploits, for example. At the end of October 2011, Wigan’s future as a top-flight team looked bleak as they sat bottom of the table, licking their wounds after six successive defeats. By the end of January they were four points adrift of the pack and seemingly down and out but, to Roberto Martinez’s credit, the Latics ushered in one of the top-flight’s greatest ever spring cleans. From March to May the Lancashire outfit notched up seven precious victories and claimed the scalps of some of the Premier League’s biggest names. The 2-1 victory away to Liverpool on March 24 was just the start as, incredibly, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle all succumbed to a rejuvenated Wigan.

The key reason for the change was a shift in formation, using Emerson Boyce and Jean Beausejour as wingbacks in a 3-4-3 in attack that reverted to a 5-4-1 when in defence. This tactic relied heavily on the engines of Boyce and Beausejour and both duly delivered with gutsy and creative displays. Whether they are able to continue their fine form down the flanks this coming season will be crucial to the Latics’ success, as will be the goal scoring form of Franco di Santo, the most likely contender to spearhead the three-pronged attack alongside Shaun Maloney and Chelsea target Victor Moses. The early fixture list has also been reasonably kind (CHE, sot, STO, mun, FUL, sun) with only a couple of giants looming on the horizon for Wigan to bring down to size.

Mark says…
I’d really like to think that they can hit the ground running. Their incredible end of season form, defying the fixture list, was one of my highlights of last season. At one point, with Victor Moses conspiring to ensure I was ridiculed on every turn, I said some rather harsh things about Wigan in the ScoutCast – Granville will remember them well. I went home and felt so awful, I edited my rant before we published. That’s how much I admire Martinez – I’ll happily edit the ScoutCast to be sure not to upset him.

Last season was a pure victory for the likeable Spaniard and his defiant belief in a tactical system and the players he had available to implement it. While he barely registered on the Fantasy richter scale, Jean Beausejour turned out to be a key figure. The accuracy of his crosses from the left was unreal, while the previously ordinary Emmerson Boyce suddenly turned into a source of assists and goals from the right. Even Moses delivered on the potential I’d highlighted earlier in the season, while Franco Di Santo started looking like a centre-forward. I’ve seen a rag-tag bunch of individuals pull off a similar footballing feat before – but that was in Escape to Victory. Even I will hesitate to compare Moses to Pele.

Martinez has managed to hold on to what he’s got and hasn’t upset the applecart with new signings that threaten to re-organise the tactics. A 3-4-3 looks set to remain but the question is – are other teams wise to the approach and ready to counter it? The meet with Chelsea is a classic opening day clash. Previously we’ve seen Wigan hit the day one headlines for the wrong reason but, if they can prove themselves against a Chelsea defence that has looked shaky in pre-season, then bandwagons will start rolling for their home fixtures with Stoke and Fulham. For me, Shaun Maloney looks cheap. If he stays fit he could be outstanding in the budget bracket. It’s a big “if” though.

Anorak says…
The traditional summer pursuit for Dave Whelan’s Wigan has them hawking around their star talent, their headline act that finished the season with such a bang. This so often leaves the Wigan manager to pick up the pieces and prepare the team for another year without their main man. This season’s patsy appears to be Victor Moses, with Chelsea lined up to pay the top dollar. However, even if Moses remains at the DW come September, the departure of midfield enforcer Momo Diamé to West Ham has already set the tone and thinned the squad. I fear Wigan and their conveyor belt of young prospects will have a fight on their hands again.

Granville says…
It seems that every season Wigan start on the back foot, having to re-adjust to the loss of a influential player. Last term it was Charles N’Zogbia, this close season they’ve already lost Momo Diame and Hugo Rodallega and if Chelsea get their way, Victor Moses is about to join the exodus. This all points to a tough start again, although having said that, last term they started with a win and a couple of draws. Initially their fixture list is rather mixed. They play Chelsea and United in the first five games, but either side they have home encounters against poor travellers, Fulham and Stoke. Much will depend on Di Santo and the pre-season free scoring, Mauro Boselli: Jean Beausejour will supply from the flanks, but can they really deliver the goals?

Andy says…
God only knows what Wigan offer us this season. Roberto Martinez managed to get Emmerson Boyce to score two Premier League goals in a game: that miracle alone surely tells us to expect the unexpected. A team with a strike force of the often inept Franco Di Santo, the anonymous Conor Sammon and a catatonic Hugo Rodallega, somehow survived and so it’s hard to question the man at the helm. With Mauro Boselli back in the ranks, Martinez has another source of “hidden” talent to work with. More than likely, though, relegation will finally beckon.