Author Archives: ianhaspinall

Unknown's avatar

About ianhaspinall

Communications specialist, Wigan Athletic fan & blogger, interested in music, arts & culture.

Shaun Maloney’s Squad Overhaul: Young Talent and Experienced Additions | Season 2024/25 Preview

Posted on August 7, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic go into the 2024/25 League One season in a much stronger position than last season when they had to contend with an eight-point deduction and transfer embargo. Shaun Maloney’s team finished in a creditable 12th place despite all … Continue reading →

Posted in Baba Adeeko, Charlie Hughes, League One, Sam Tickle, Shaun Maloney, Thelo Aasgaard, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer Reading 2024 – The Best Football Books

Posted on July 3, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Here’s my recommendations of the best football books of recent months for reading on the beach or by the pool. Kick off the summer with one of these great reads. Review – Answered Prayers: England and the 1966 World Cup … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazil, England, Football Book Reviews, Gordon Milne, Pat Nevin, Scotland, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Review – Smart Money: The Fall and Rise of Brentford FC by Alex Duff

Posted on June 11, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Alex Duff’s book tells the story of Brentford FC’s transformation from lower league also-rans to the Premier League through the use of quantitative data analysis and good coaching. When Duff first starts following Brentford in 1978, they are an unfashionable … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Duff, Brentford, Football Book Reviews, Late Tackle magazine, Quantitative Data Analysis, Sports Betting, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Maloney’s men end the season on a high note – Wigan Athletic 2 Bristol Rovers 0

Posted on April 28, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic produced some sublime football in a convincing 2-0 victory against Bristol Rovers at the DW Stadium Latics created plenty of early chances and they deservedly went ahead when Josh Magennis steered home Luke Chambers’ cross on the half … Continue reading →

Posted in Jonny Smith, Josh Magennis, League One, Shaun Maloney | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Latics spoil Pompey’s promotion party – Portsmouth 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on April 20, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic spoiled the League One champions Portsmouth’s promotion party with a deserved 2-1 victory at Fratton Park. Latics went ahead in the 22nd minute when Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers scored his first goal for the club. The visitors had … Continue reading →

Posted in Callum Chambers, Josh Magennis, Kusini Yengi, League One, Portsmouth, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Review – O Jogo Bonito! Brazil’s 1970 World Cup Samba Party by Gary Thacker

Posted on April 17, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Gary Thacker’s latest book is the story of probably the greatest football team in the history of the World Cup. ‘O Jogo Bonito’ is Portuguese for ‘the beautiful game’ and the Brazilian World Cup winning team of 1970 truly defined … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, Brazil, Football Book Reviews, Gary Thacker, Late Tackle magazine, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Latics damage the Imps play-off hopes – Lincoln City 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on April 15, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic ended play-off chasing Lincoln City’s 16 game undefeated run with a stunning 2-1 victory at the LNER stadium. A free-flowing move by Latics resulted in them taking the lead in the 20th minute. Jonny Smith curling a superb … Continue reading →

Posted in Charlie Hughes, Danny Mandroiu, Jonny Smith, League One, Lincoln City, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics scrape a draw against the Addicks – Charlton Athletic 2 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on April 10, 2024 by ianhaspinall

In a scrappy game Wigan Athletic gained a point in a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic at The Valley. In an uneventful first half Charlton took the lead on 19 minutes when Charlie Hughes sliced a long ball into his … Continue reading →

Posted in Charlie Hughes, Charlie Kelman, Charlton Athletic, Chuks Aneke, League One, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Latics dour draw suits the Valiants – Wigan Athletic 0 Port Vale 0

Posted on April 7, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic once again failed to impress in a dour 0-0 draw with relegation threatened Port Vale at the DW Stadium. The Valiants benefitted most from the draw as they moved out of the League One relegation zone as Cheltenham … Continue reading →

Posted in League One, Port Vale, Sam Tickle, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Latics out-fought by clinical U’s – Cambridge United 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on April 2, 2024 by ianhaspinall

Relegation threatened Cambridge United defeated Wigan Athletic 3-1 with a brace from Gassan Ahadme at the Abbey Stadium. The hosts went ahead from their first attack in the 11th minute. James Brophy provided a low delivery from the left and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge United, Danny Andrew, Gassan Ahadme, League One, Martial Godo, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment