The eagerly anticipated Championship fixtures were announced at 9am this morning with Wigan Athletic travelling to Bristol City on the opening day of the 2016/17 season.
Former manager Owen Coyle returns to the DW Stadium when he brings his Blackburn Rovers team for Latics first home game on Saturday 13 August. On the following Tuesday they have another home fixture against Birmingham City.
Latics complete August with an away fixture at Nottingham Forest and a home game against Queens Park Rangers.
Latics have some mouthwatering fixtures this season and they will travel face Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday 24 September and play them at home on 18th February.
They will play recently relegated Premier League clubs Norwich City away on 13th September and at home on 31 January, Aston Villa away on 10th December and at home on 18th March and Newcastle United at home on 13th December and away on 1st April.
During the Christmas and New Year holiday period they will play Rotherham United away on Boxing Day, Derby County away on New Years Eve and Huddersfield Town at home on 2nd January.
Latics complete the Championship campaign at home to Leeds United on Sunday 7th May.
THIS COMPETION HAS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner Joe Dixon.
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There’s just no stopping Will Grigg! To celebrate Will’s 28 goals in 43 appearances Let’s Hang On and Art of Football have come together to offer all our supporters a fantastic opportunity to win a ‘Will Grigg’s On Fire’ print or T shirt.
The Art of Football only produce a limited number of each design, so your prints and T shirts, like any good piece of art, are exclusive and completely original.
We are giving away a £25 gift voucher to spend at Art of Football. To enter simply answer the following question and email the answer with your name and address to: competition@art-of-football.com
‘Which two teams was Will Grigg promoted with from League One before joining Wigan Athletic?’
It’s that Simple. The competition closes on 31st May 2016 and the winner will be announced soon after. The winner will receive an email from Art of Football to confirm your requirements.
Gary Caldwell has some difficult decisions to make over the next few days as he puts together his retained list for next season.
He will want to show loyalty to the players that won the League One title but he also knows that some are not good enough to make the step up to the Championship.
Caldwell will want to add more quality as Latics seek to maintain their progress and make an impact in a tough division.
The manager and his recruitment team are already scouring the leagues for new players, so I’ve put together a list of five players that Caldwell should be considering.
Goalkeeper – Andy Lonergan
The 32-year-old Fulham keeper has reputedly been offered a return to the North West with Latics. The former Preston, Leeds and Bolton keeper played 31 games for Fulham last season but may not be part of manager Slaviša Jokanović’s plans for next season.
The 6ft 4in shot stopper would provide strong competition with the current No.1 Jussi Jaaskelainen. The signing could also see the departure of Lee Nicholls, as Latics have several good young keepers such as Dan Lavercombe available as back up.
Centre-back – Harry Maguire
Former Latics loanee Harry Maguire would make a superb acquisition to the squad. Maguire impressed in his loan spell at the DW Stadium and was one of the few successes during Malky Mackay’s period in charge.
The highly rated defender has only made 22 league appearances for Hull City this season and many observers believe that the 23-year-old deserved to be selected more often.
The Tigers’ boss Steve Bruce has sometimes chosen to play his son Alex over Maguire and this has not gone down too well.
Newly promoted Middlesbrough and Burnley are said to be interested in signing Maguire, who would cost in the region of £3m, but Latics could be tempted to step in and offer him regular first team football in the Championship. Much will depend on which division play-off bound Hull are in next season.
Midfield – Jordi Gomez
The FA Cup winning midfielder could return to Latics next season. Loved by many and criticized by a minority for his style of play, Gomez was a creative force during the good times under Roberto Martinez.
There was a possibility of him returning on loan from Sunderland in the last transfer window, but he went on to have an impressive loan spell at Blackburn Rovers under manager Paul Lambert.
Gomez doesn’t appear to be in the plans of Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce and with uncertainty at Blackburn following Lambert’s departure; a return to the DW Stadium could be on the cards.
Striker – Conor McAleny
Everton loanee striker Conor McAleny has made a very good impression during his loan spell at Latics scoring four goals in 13 appearances.
The Liverpool born striker has previously been on loan in the Championship with Cardiff and Charlton and should have no problem stepping up to that level.
McAleny has one year left on his contract at Goodison, but he seems unlikely to break into the first team given their wealth of strikers and a move to Latics would make sense.
Striker – Sam Winnall
The Barnsley striker has been a big success in League One this season with 21 goals in 43 league appearances. The 25-year-old Winnall has been a major factor in Barnsley’s rise into the play-offs and looks capable of scoring goals at a higher level.
Leeds United had an offer for the striker turned down in January, but the Tykes may not be able to hold on to him if they don’t make it through the play-offs.
Let the transfer speculation commence!
This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 13th May 2016.
It was a surreal afternoon at the DW Stadium as Wigan Athletic celebrated the League One title by losing 4-1 to play-off chasing Barnsley.
Latics were assured of the trophy prior to kick off and looked to be dominant on the pitch when they took a 10th minute through the league’s Golden Boot winner Will Grigg. But the Tykes drew level through Sam Winnall’s 33rd minute penalty.
The match turned in Barnsley’s favour on 44 minutes when Winnall added a second after some sloppy play by the home team.
Reserve keeper Lee Nicholls making his first league start in goal in place of Jussi Jaaskelainen then failed to keep out Conor Hourihane’s effort from the edge of the area on 56 minutes and was too easily beaten by Josh Brownhill’s free-kick from 30-yards on 74 minutes.
Chris McCann showed his frustration by kicking out at Adam Hamill in added time and was dismissed.
Barnsley celebrated qualifying for the play-offs at full time but it was Latics who celebrated with the League One Trophy and are certain to be playing Championship football next season.
Gary Caldwell made three changes from the team which won promotion at Blackpool last Saturday, with Jason Pearce, Yanic Wildschut and Lee Nicholls replacing Sam Morsy, Reece Wabara and Jussi Jaaskelainen.
The DW Stadium looked splendid under blue skies with a big crowd of 18,730 providing a great atmosphere.
Latics opened strongly and were looking likely to score from the kick off with Yanic Wildschut threatening down the left hand side.
Latics went ahead on 10 minutes through Will Grigg after good work by Wildschut.
The flying Dutchman beat his marker down the left and pinged in a cross, the ball hit a Barnsley defender’s hand and then fell to Grigg who tapped home his 25th league goal of the season and 28th overall.
It looked as though Latics would go on to add further goals but some complacency crept into the home team’s game and the visitors drew level from the penalty spot.
Latics gave the ball away needlessly on the edge of the area and as Ashley Fletcher broke into the area he was brought down by Stephen Warnock. Sam Winnall converted the penalty kick to draw the Tykes level.
The visitors had now got a foothold and pressed forward through Winnall, who was denied by Nicholls from close range on 42 minutes.
Barnsley were ahead on 44 minutes when Latics once again failed in defence to cut out the danger.
Nicholls saved from Lloyd Isgrove but only managed to parry the ball back into the danger zone and Winnall was on hand to score from close range.
Early in the second half Latics did have opportunities to draw level through substitute Ryan Colclough. First his goal bound effort was blocked by a defender in the area and later when he was cleverly played through by Grigg, his strike was was ruled out for offside.
However, it was Barnsley who scored next to increase their lead. Conor Hourihane shot from the edge of the area and although Nicholls appeared to have the effort covered the ball sneaked inside the post.
With around 15 minutes remaining the Tykes completed a convincing victory through Preston North End loanee Josh Brownhill. The midfielder hit his free-kick from 30-yards-out and the Latics reserve keeper should probably done better.
Gary Caldwell will have learned some useful lessons about his players during this final league one game. It should help his planning for next season and for the hard decisions he will have to make about who is in next season’s Championship squad.
Despite defeat on the day, Latics were in jubilant mood after the game as they celebrated with the League One trophy in front of the joyous home supporters.
The fans and players then proceeded to paint the town centre blue and white and their celebrations went on into the early hours of Monday morning.
The Latics promotion party has continued all week and there will be more celebrating on Sunday when they are presented with the League One trophy.
David Sharpe, Dave Whelan, Jonathan Jackson, Gary Caldwell, the coaching staff and players should all be congratulated for producing such an exceptional season to remember.
Latics have stormed back to the Championship, losing only once in the last 24 games and with a vastly superior goal difference over their rivals.
Leicester City’s Claudio Ranieri should win the manager of the year in the Premier League but Gary Caldwell is surely the manager of the year in the Football League.
Many thought it was a risky appointment when Caldwell took over last April. In his first appointment, the youngest manager in the league was tasked with getting Latics promoted and at the first time of asking.
It would have been too tall an order for many managers but Caldwell has delivered in spades. He has been steadfast in his football beliefs and stuck to his principles when things weren’t going so well.
Caldwell has built a team, which thrives on possession, builds from the back and plays the ball on the ground. He always prepares very well and researches the opposition, but the main priority has always been to get his own players performing at their best.
The manager has always said they would take one game at a time and yet there was always a long-term strategy to get Latics promoted.
It was a brave decision to clear out most of last season’s team and it could so easily have backfired. But the recruitment of players has been very impressive with a mix of young and experienced professionals.
There were some expected successes in captain Craig Morgan, goal scorer Will Grigg and creative midfielder Michael Jacobs.
But also some players who could have been seen as a risk have made a massive impact, in particular, Player of the season David Perkins and runner up Max Power signed from relegated clubs Blackpool and Tranmere.
Caldwell added greater quality as the season went on with the recruitment of winger Yanic Wildschut, striker Ryan Colclough and midfielder Sam Morsy.
The manager also made great use of the loan system by bringing in Everton striker Conor McAleny and the experienced defender Stephen Warnock from Derby County.
The planning for this season started last April when Caldwell was first appointed and the board and manager are already looking ahead to next season in the Championship.
Latics will want to maintain the momentum from promotion and try to make a big impression next season.
They have the nucleus of a very good team but they will need to add more quality in key positions if they are to be challenging near the top.
I’m expecting an experienced keeper as back up for Jussi Jaaskelainen. Another centre back will be required to provide defensive cover for Craig Morgan, Jason Pearce and Donervon Daniels. Plus they are likely to add another striker to share the goal scoring responsibility with Will Grigg.
But whatever the signings the fans will be expecting more great things next season as Latics look to emulate Leicester’s incredible rise from League One since 2009.
This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 6th May 2016.
Wigan Athletic secured promotion and effectively the League One title with an emphatic 4-0 victory at crisis club Blackpool. Latics are three points ahead of second placed Burton Albion with a massively superior goal difference with only one game to play.
After a lethargic opening 45 minutes Latics clicked into gear with four second half goals. Chris McCann’s volley from the edge of the area on 60 minutes gave them the lead before winger Yanic Wildschut scored two goals in quick succession.
League One’s leading goal scorer Will Grigg completed the rout on 85 minutes when he volleyed home from McCann’s flicked header.
Latics’ players, manager Gary Caldwell, owner Dave Whelan and Chairman David Sharpe celebrated on the pitch at the end of the game in front of the 3,000 jubilant fans.
The first half was a scrappy affair and Latics struggled to get into their stride and the Seasiders had some good opportunities to take the lead. Jussi Jaaskelainen saved superbly from Jack Redshaw and Mark Cullen should have done better when he fired wide with only the Wigan keeper to beat.
Latics were lacking a cutting edge going forward and with Sam Morsy out of sorts in midfield manager Gary Caldwell introduced winger Yanic Wildschut after only 39 minutes.
Blackpool were proving to be resilient opponents and Latics were a shade lucky going into the interval on level terms.
Wigan were much improved after the interval and Wildschut proved to be the crucial game changer. They went ahead on 60 minutes when Chris McCann smashed home a superb volley from 18 yards.
The Seasiders resistance faltered and Wildschut soon grabbed a quick double on 70 and 72 minutes.
McCann charged forward and set up the Flying Dutchman and he cut inside and slotted the ball into the far corner past Colin Doyle.
Two minutes later McCann found Will Grigg who played a clever ball to Wildschut and the winger cut inside before rifling a shot which took a slight deflection off a Pool defender and into the net.
Latics were rampant now and Wildschut was tormenting the Pool defence with a series of blistering attacks. He should probably have grabbed at least a hat trick but in the final minutes it was the League One’s leading goal scorer Will Grigg who added the fourth.
Conor McAleny’s corner was headed on by McCann and Grigg was on hand to volley home from close range for his 27th goal of the season.
The result confirmed Latics quick return to the Championship as League One Champions and Blackpool will almost certainly be playing League Two football next season.
Latics players celebrate with the fans at full time
A successful partnership – Chairman David Sharpe and manager Gary Caldwell
What a sensational season it’s been at Wigan Athletic. Many fans worried about the prospect of a young chairman and an untried manager running the club but David Sharpe has steadied the ship and Gary Caldwell has risen to the challenge of a quick return to the Championship.
There have been so many memorable moments on the pitch during this campaign but here are my five personal highlights:
1. The first signs that Gary Caldwell’s team were moving in the right direction came against Scunthorpe United during a night game at the DW Stadium in August.
Latics gave the Iron a great lesson in pass and move. The visitors had no answer to Wigan’s style of play, which was reminiscent of the dominant performances produced during the Roberto Martinez days.
Latics demonstrated how to outplay their opponents with some top quality football. The 3-0 score line did not flatter the team who could have won by many more on the night.
Latics were still a work in progress but they produced the kind of football that had the fans purring. It had been evident in the opening games what they have been trying to achieve, but this was the first time that the team had fully clicked together.
2. Latics recorded their first away win of the season in September with a dramatic comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 at Chesterfield.
With nine minutes of normal time remaining Latics looked to be down and out, but Leon Barnett’s volley, Craig Davies’ penalty and Jordy Hiwula’s last-minute winner produced an amazing smash-and-grab victory.
There were some amazing scenes in the away end when Hiwula won the game and Latics fans celebrated with a crazy mini pitch invasion.
3. Latics staged another amazing comeback against second placed Gillingham in January. They had trailed the Gills 2-0 after 60 minutes but turned the game around for an incredible 3-2 victory.
It was a defining moment in Latics’ season as they overhauled a Gillingham team who had previously looked likely to secure automatic promotion.
Latics had fought back through Will Grigg and Max Power and then Captain Craig Morgan produced a stunning 96th minute header to send the DW Stadium into raptures.
4. In February Latics moved into second spot in the table with Yanic Wildschut’s 91st minute winner at Walsall and leapfrogged Walsall and Gillingham in the race for promotion.
They had taken the lead in the first half with a 30-yard screamer by Conor McAleny, but they were pegged back by a long-range strike on 68 minutes.
With both sides going for the winner it was the Flying Dutchman Wildschut who scored a stunning individual goal to give Latics a massively important three points.
5. In April Latics moved to the top-of-the-table with a 5-1 mauling of Shrewsbury Town. The Shrews had taken a surprise lead on 28 minutes but Latics quickly got back on level terms through Conor McAleny’s superb 20-yard volley.
After the interval Yanic Wildschut fired home after McAleny’s shot came back off the post and they quickly added a third when Jason Pearce headed home Max Power’s corner.
Will Grigg converted a penalty on 66 minutes and then finished off a splendid day for Latics by adding a fifth in the 90th minute when he side footed Power’s cross into the net.
Latics produced another highlight last Saturday when they thrashed Southend 4-1, but the biggest highlight of the season should come at Blackpool tomorrow when they not only confirm promotion but also the League One title.
This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 29th April 2016.
The home team were on the offensive right from the start and almost scored in the first minute, when Stephen Warnock drove forward and unleashed a powerful drive which the Shrimpers keeper Ted Smith was unable to hold and Michael Jacobs headed the rebound over the crossbar.
Yanic Wildschut was proving a constant danger down the left hand side and with a little more composure in front of goal he should have got on the scoresheet.
But Latics were not to be denied and they made the breakthrough on nine minutes through Chris McCann.
Jacobs drove forward and set up McCann just inside the area and the midfielder finished low into the far corner past the Shrimpers keeper.
Latics were in fine form and were looking likely to score with each attack.
McCann hit the post on 14 minutes with a low drive, but Latics added a second on 17 minutes through the prolific Will Grigg.
Wildschut’s effort from the edge of the area came back off the post and the ball fell to Grigg who made no mistake from close range.
Latics were producing wave after wave of attacks and Southend were offering little resistance much to the disgust of their manager Phil Brown.
Wildschut, Grigg, McCann and Jacobs all had chances before they increased their lead on 36 minutes through Grigg.
Michael Jacobs bisected the Southend defence with a superb pass and the striker added his 26th goal of the season with a delicate chip over the advancing keeper.
It should have been more before the interval, as Jacobs went close and the Southend defence continued to chase shadows.
Latics continued their onslaught at the beginning of the second half and it was not long before they added a fourth.
Jacobs released Wildschut down the left and the winger drove forward before setting up Jacobs with a low pass, and the midfielder smashed the ball into the top right hand corner of the Shrimpers net.
It seemed only a matter of time before Latics would add further goals.
Will Grigg was looking for his hat-trick and he nearly managed it on 57 minutes, he was one on one with the Southend keeper but he saw his effort go just wide of the upright.
Four minutes later Grigg had a goal disallowed for offside after a great team move.
The outstanding Warnock drove forward and had his shot parried by Smith, and Grigg was on hand to finish but the linesman unfortunately ruled it out.
Grigg had another great chance on 74 minutes when he met substitute Conor McAleny’s low cross from the right, but he blasted wide of the target.
On another day the division’s leading marksman could easily have had six, but he had to settle for two goals with two games still to play.
As Latics eased off, Southend managed a consolation goal in bizarre circumstances when Craig Morgan inadvertently deflected David Worrall’s cross into his own net.
Latics saw out the rest of the game with little difficulty and with news that Walsall had been beaten 4-0 at Bradford filtering through, promotion to the Championship was virtually confirmed.
Latics moved closer to the League One title at Burton Albion
It wasn’t the most convincing performance against Burton on Tuesday night but a resolute Latics still moved a point closer to the League One title. They maintained a three-point gap over second placed Burton and a six-point gap over third placed Walsall.
Latics have an impressive goal difference of +33, compared to +18 for the Saddlers and +16 for the Brewers and it could prove to be like an additional point in the title race.
Last Saturday’s defeat at Doncaster was Latics’ first in 21 games but the other promotion candidates have all been dropping points on a regular basis. Burton have not won in their last six matches and Walsall have only won three of their last six games.
Both still have some tough fixtures to come with Walsall still to face play-off contenders Bradford City and Burton must overcome sixth placed Gillingham.
Next up for Latics are Southend United and it is a fixture they will need to win to maintain the gap at the top.
The Shrimpers are in a poor run of form and have only won once in their last six games, after briefly toying with the play-off places, they have now slipped to 13th in the table.
Gary Caldwell will be determined for his team to guard against complacency but Latics will also need to improve on their last two performances.
Defensively they have been vulnerable to set-pieces. Against Doncaster they conceded two headers from corners and at Burton another header from a free-kick.
Going forward they have plenty of options but they must ensure that Will Grigg is given the service that will fire him to the League One Golden Boot. A return to the starting line-up for flying winger Yanic Wildschut is therefore surely a must.
Latics will be boosted by the return of key midfielder David Perkins after his one-match suspension. Perkins presence will give the team a big lift and he will be determined to make up for his sending off in the rare defeat at Doncaster.
The 33-year-old never stops running and he has been central to the team’s successes. He has been the most consistent performer this season and he is the glue that holds the team together. His terrier like qualities should help the team to get over the finish line.
This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Friday 22nd April 2016.
League One leaders Wigan were held to a 1-1 draw by Burton in a hard fought encounter at the Pirelli Stadium.
Latics remain in pole position for the title and are three points clear of second placed Burton with three to play. Third placed Walsall are six points behind Latics with four to play.
Latics went ahead on 8 minutes when Michael Jacobs’ cross-shot evaded everyone and found the Brewers net.
The home team levelled on 38 minutes when Tom Naylor rose at the back post and headed home Matty Palmer’s free-kick.
The Brewers threw everything at Latics in the second half, but the away team held firm and maintained their advantage at the top going into the last three games of the season.
Gary Caldwell made four changes to the team beaten at Doncaster. David Perkins was missing due to suspension while Donervon Daniels, Leon Barnett and Yanic Wildschut were replaced by Michael Jacobs, Reece Wabara, Chris McCann and Craig Morgan.
Latics started on the front foot and were on the attack right from the kick off.
After only eight minutes they went ahead through Jacobs. The tricky midfielder cut in from the right hand side and curled his effort past John McLaughlin and into the far corner of the Brewers net.
It was a great start for the 1800 travelling army of Latics fans.
Latics were on top for most of the first half, but Burton gradually clawed themselves back into the game and they drew level just before the interval.
Palmer floated in a free-kick from the left and Tom Naylor rose at the back post to head the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Burton maintained their momentum at the beginning of the second half and Latics had to defend in numbers to stem the tide of attacks.
Conor McAleny was replaced by Yanic Wildschut in the 60th minute as Latics looked for an attacking outlet on the break.
Both teams showed great commitment throughout and there were some crunching tackles but neither team were able to create many clear goal scoring opportunities in the second half.
Haris Vuckic replaced a tiring Michael Jacobs on 70 minutes as Latics looked to unlock a solid Burton defence.
Vuckic did have a shot blocked, before Grigg fired over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.
Duffy then had a chance for Burton but headed over in the 88th minute.
McCann might have won it for Latics in the 90th minute, but he too blazed over the crossbar after good work by Wildschut had set him up.
In the end a draw was probably a fair result, but Latics will be the happier of the two teams vying for the title going into the final three games of the season.
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