Our “under-the-microscope” look at this week’s DGW teams continues with Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic. Wigan, the only team of the Doubles that play both games at home – hosting Stoke, then Bolton at the DW Stadium- are a source of frustration with a series of inconsistent performances, but if they manage to hit form, could well be worth the investment…
The Opponents
This week’s opponents Stoke are notoriously difficult travellers, and have picked up just one away win in the league all season. So far this season, they have, almost unbelievably, scored a mere 4 goals on their Premiership travels in 11 games, though in fairness are difficult to break down, having conceded just 13 goals in return. However, Tony Pulis’ side come into the match having failed to find the net in their last five away games, last scoring away from the Britannia in a 2-1 defeat at Hull, on 8th November.
Bolton seem to be getting tougher at the back under Owen Coyle; having gone all season without a single league clean sheet, they have now picked up two consecutive cleanies at home. Away, however, they have yet to not concede, and much also relies on how the team adjust to losing Gary Cahill to injury until probably the end of the season. At the other end of the pitch, Bolton have only scored three goals in the five league games under Coyle, suggesting a toughness at the back has possibly blunted their attacking edge.
Current Form
Wigan come into the DGW on the back of a decent away performance at the Stadium of Light last Saturday, in a 1-1 with Sunderland. Previous to that, they have lost at home to Everton and away to Blackburn Rovers, and beaten Wolves 2-0 at Molineux. Roberto Martinez’s team have won only one of their last six home league games, drawing three and losing two.
To a degree, though, form goes out the window with Wigan. Martinez’s men are, quite possibly, the most unpredictable team in the Premiership. This is the team who have beaten the likes of Villa away and Chelsea at home, but can easily crash and burn at places like Portsmouth. The Wigan boss has recently called for the crowd to make a difference in the upcoming week, saying:
“These are important moments in our season that we need to be ready for, and it’s about time we started getting the points our performances deserve.”
Rotation Risk
Being knocked out of the FA Cup was perhaps a blessing in disguise for Wigan; as Martinez himself admitted, it’s best they can now concentrate wholly on the Premiership, and being only two points off the drop zone, will be looking to climb to safety quickly. The Wigan boss was a busy man in the January transfer window, adding four players to the squad, as he attempts to get more consistency from his charges.
The likes of Paul Scharner, having previously been positioned as an attacking midfielder, may now be under threat from newcomers such as Victor Moses, but still started the Sunderland game. As this chalkboard shows, he was positioned more right midfield this time round, suggesting yet another alternative position.
Hugo Rodallega has been pretty much nailed on as a first choice pick this season, but with Moses and new loan signing Marcelo Moreno both able to play up top in Martinez’s favoured 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 formation, it may well mean less match-time for the big Colombian. With the new signings still bedding in though, it’s too early to be certain yet.
Potential Targets
Charles N’Zogbia
By some distance, the safest Wigan investment. In spite of the club’s indifferent form, Charlie has still managed to pick up Bonus Points in 9 of his last 14 games, making it a total of 19 altogether. He’s pretty much a guaranteed starter on the right of a front 3 that has seen the left-footer’s performances this season being compared to Lionel Messi by a slightly over-excited Martinez.
His form has certainly caught the eye of FPL managers, too; since the turn of the year, N’Zogbia’s price has risen by a healthy 0.4m, as he continues to offer decent returns.
Predicted Return: 1 assist, 1 clean sheet, 3 FPL Bonus Points.
Hugo Rodallega
His on-pitch position was prone to rotation earlier in the season; mainly played as a lone striker, Rodallega occasionally shifted to the left of a front three to accommodate the likes of Jason Scotland up front. The introduction of James McCarthy to the Wigan first team, however, has seen Rodallega’s position as centre forward pretty much cemented. His great start to the season has tailed off, though, and Rodallega has found the net just once in his last 9 league games.
The club’s penalty taker, he has missed from the spot twice in recent months, but should still be the one to step up if any are awarded. Given the poor away form of both opponents, this coming DGW should get him back in amongst the points again. In spite of his recent lack of form, Rodallega has still managed to rack up the same number of Bonus Points as N’Zogbia so far this season.
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 2 FPL Bonus Points.
James McCarthy
Since the turn of the year, the young midfielder has started every one of Wigan’s four league games, missing out on just five minutes action. Weighing in with 1 goal, 1 assist and 1 BP, McCarthy has settled on the left of the front three and is now showing the form that made him Young Player of the Year in Scotland last season. Having now proved he is worthy of a start to Martinez, he seems to be part of the first XI without question.
Predicted Return: 1 assist, 1 clean sheet.
Paul Scharner
Listed as an FPL defender, Scharner was a decent punt for an out-of-position player earlier in the season, where Martinez played him just behind a lone striker. Now, with the new January acquisitions Moses and Moreno more suited to such a role, it seems like his attacking returns will diminish. Martinez still found a starting role for him last weekend though, seeing Scharner’s versatility as a plus point. With both DGW opponents dire away form, Wigan could definitely pick up at least one clean sheet from the two games, and Scharner is still more of a danger in the opponent’s penalty box than any other Wigan defender.
Predicted Return: 1 clean sheet.
Victor Moses
Arriving at the club with glowing references, Moses is another who is able to play in a variety of positions. With McCarthy and N’Zogbia firmly holding down both front-wide roles, Moses could perhaps best find game minutes situated just behind Rodallega. Introduced to the proceedings late on Saturday, this upcoming DGW should see Moses given a chance to integrate into the Wigan first XI, with Martinez looking for more potency up front. His all action style could well catch the eye of the Bonus judges, offering an alternative to N’Zogbia as the Chris Eagles of the DW Stadium.
Predicted Return: 1 clean sheet, 1 FPL Bonus Point.