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Wigan Athletic head into the 2021/22 season with renewed optimism after a horror period plagued with administration and a near escape from back-to-back relegations.
The Latics have undergone an impressive yet hectic pre-season under manager Leam Richardson who has worked tirelessly to assemble a side that are already being tipped to reach the play-off places.
Having completed the season with only six senior players on their books, Wigan have had to completely rebuild a side that finished 20th in League One last season and survived a second straight relegation by a point.
Their rebuild has been welcomed with a sense of optimism and belief ahead of an eagerly anticipated season, with plenty of positive signs both on the pitch and off. The Latics head into the new campaign off the back of an unbeaten pre-season which included victories over Championship sides Stoke City and Preston North End.
Transfers
Wigan have had an impressive window so far which has seen eight new arrivals with plenty more expected before deadline day at the end of the month.
Seven of the signings have been brought in as free agents, with Stephen Humphrys, who signed for an undisclosed fee from Rochdale, the only newcomer to cost the club money. The forward, who scored 10 League One goals last season, has already made a positive impression during pre-season having scored three in five.
The Latics surprised many with the spectacular signing of Charlie Wyke, who turned down a new contract at the Stadium of Light. The former Sunderland striker scored 26 goals last season, the second-highest in the division, and his scoring ability can hopefully boost a side that finished as the sixth-lowest in the goalscoring charts last campaign.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Wigan have acquired the services of former Manchester United reserve goalkeeper Ben Amos from Charlton Athletic. The shot-stopper kept 17 league clean sheets for the Addicks in 2020/21, and his arrival provides healthy competition for current number one and skipper Jamie Jones.
Despite their business so far, plenty more signings are expected at Wigan due to Richardson’s lack of satisfaction with the current depth of his squad.
“We need six or seven more bodies in- and not just bodies, good players and good people. To compete at this level, we are still way off where we want to be squad wise and squad depth.”
Here’s the full list of Wigan’s signings to date: Max Power (Sunderland), Jordan Cousins (Stoke City), Tom Naylor (Portsmouth), Jack Whatmough (Portsmouth), Gwion Edwards (Ipswich), Amos, Humphrys and Wyke.
Richardson looking forward to the task ahead as permanent manager
Richardson is preparing for his first season as Wigan’s permanent manager having spent the last four years at the club as assistant to Paul Cook, and then as caretaker manager following the conclusion of John Sheridan’s dismal spell in charge.
The former Accrington Stanley manager completed the task assigned last season, but the one on the cards this season provides a much tougher ask, although so far, he appears to have excelled.
Assigned with the task of rebuilding a squad from scratch, Richardson has assembled a strong side on paper that are tipped for a strong season that has started with an unbeaten pre-season.
“Pre-season is always tough but I’ve really enjoyed it to be honest.
“You forget this group has only been together for four and half weeks and that last month we had very few staff and very few players- it’s been a very testing time.
“But everyone has been working so hard to get some good people into the football club, and although its only pre-season, winning is much better than losing.
“The main thing now is looking for those signs, the continuity in relationships, and how the training ground work is transported onto the pitch.
“We have a huge task to be competitive in every game, but it’s a task we’re very much looking forward to.”
Targets
Having experienced relegation from the Championship in 2020 to surviving a second straight drop by a point last season, Wigan’s main target for the campaign ahead will be to stay clear of the trouble.
However, with the quality of their incomings, the Latics are being tipped by many to have a successful season and to be up there challenging the likes of Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland for a play-off place.
Wigan’s start to the season will be tough as it begins on Saturday with a trip to promotion-favourites Sunderland, before consecutive home matches against relegated Championship sides Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers.
The Latics’ tough start presents the perfect opportunity for Richardson’s side to showcase early on just what exactly the squad is made of, and how far they can go in a league stacked with top sides.
Key Player
New signing Wyke could play a crucial role in firing the Latics to a high-positioned finish, especially if he can replicate his goal-scoring numbers from last season.
The striker strengthens Wigan’s options in the final third alongside Will Keane, the club’s top scorer last season, and Callum Lang, who finished as the highest scorer in pre-season. The addition of Humphrys, who proved his threats last season, should also improve the Latics in an area where they have struggled in previously.
Youth Prospect
One prospect who has already made a name for himself in a blue and white shirt is attacking midfielder Thelo Aasgaard.
The talented 19-year-old featured heavily in his debut season which he finished with three goals and two assists, two of those came in Wigan’s crucial 4-1 win at Doncaster Rovers towards the end of the season.
The youngster also featured twice in Wigan’s history-making FA Youth Cup run two seasons ago, alongside the highly-rated defender James Carragher, son of ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
However, despite his involvement in pre-season, Carragher is yet to sign a professional contract, despite one being offered, and after attracting interest from elsewhere, he may choose to follow academy starlet Sean McGurk out the door instead of working his way into a high aspiring Wigan side.
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