Striker Adam Le Fondre joins Latics from Cardiff City

The anticipated late rush of transfer activity materialised on deadline day as Wigan Athletic added a further three players and three went out on loan.

Striker Adam Le Fondre, winger Nathan Byrne and striker Kaiyne Woolery all signed, while Sam Morsy, Jack Hendry and Ryan Colclough were loaned out.

It’s been a hectic summer for the club as 14 players have now joined and 20 have been released, sold or loaned out. But what of these transfers are Latics now in a stronger or weaker position at the close of the transfer window?

Here’s my appraisal of the new signings and departures.

Stephen Warnock – The permanent signing of Warnock was one of Gary Caldwell’s easier decisions and the former Derby, Liverpool and England defender has already shown this season what an asset he will be in the Championship.

Jake Buxton – The experienced centre-back was missed during his recent suspension but he is likely to be an important player and should cement his place in the back three in the coming weeks.

Alex Gilbey – Player of the Year at Colchester United and the 21-year-old midfielder has already impressed in his early games for Latics.

Nick Powell – Still only 22-years-old and capable of great things. The creative midfielder has made a good start to his second Latics career. If he can stay fit and contribute more goals he could help push the club towards the top end of the table.

Adam Bogdan – Bogdan has already proved to be a good shot stopper, but he also has a tendency to make important mistakes and this could prove his undoing. If it doesn’t work out for him at Wigan, one of last season’s top performers Jussi Jaaskeleinen can fill the No.1 spot.

Dan Burn – The young defender had a difficult time at Craven Cottage and has had a poor start to his Latics career. Caldwell will be looking for a major improvement if the big defender is to make it into the starting eleven.

Kyle Knoyle – The young defender has yet to make a starting appearance as he unfortunately broke his arm in pre-season and will be out for some time.

Shaun MacDonald – The experienced former Bournemouth player has quickly settled into his defensive midfield role and should prove a steadying influence on some of the younger players around him.

Luke Garbutt – The Everton loanee has played at the top level but he struggled at Fulham last season. Looks good going forward but could also struggle with the physicality of the Championship.

Jordi Gomez – The talismanic Spaniard is capable of making a big impact during his second spell at the club. Gomez is renowned for his creativity, can play the killer pass and chips in with his fair share of goals.

Reece Burke – The big defender comes highly recommended and was Bradford City’s Player of the Year last season. Should prove his worth in the coming weeks.

Adam Le Fondre – The well-travelled striker has made 451 league appearances and scored 175 goals during his career. Latics will be looking for him to rekindle the type of prolific goal scoring which saw him hit the net 10 times in his first 12 outings for Rotherham United in 2009/10.

Nathan Byrne – Caldwell has been on the look out for a right wing-back and Nathan Byrne seems to fit the bill. The former Wolves and Swindon player has 146 league appearances behind him and he is still only 24-years-old. Byrne is quick and energetic and he has scored some spectacular goals.

Kaiyne Woolery – The young striker played 19 times for Bolton last season scoring twice in five starts. Gary Caldwell rates him highly but he may find it hard to break into the first team this season.

Despite the signings some fans have been critical about the loan departures of Sam Morsy to Barnsley and Ryan Colclough and Jack Hendry to MK Dons.

However, with all the new arrivals at the club these three were unlikely to get game time in the Championship, it is better for them to go out on loan and play regularly elsewhere. They can always return to the club in the future if Caldwell thinks they will make the grade in the Championship.

Overall the Latics squad now looks much stronger than last season, as they have two good quality players in every position on the pitch.

Not only have they secured better players during the transfer window but they have also managed to hang on to their best players. There were rumours of departures for Will Grigg, Craig Morgan and Yanic Wildschut, but with these and other key players staying, the club can be very pleased with the transfer window.