Season shape-up - Wigan

19 June 2009 15:36
The early part of Wigan's summer has been dominated by managerial upheaval and speculation about the future of Antonio Valencia, but supporters will now want to see action as a new era dawns at the JJB Stadium. Lewis Rutledge considers what could happen between now and the end of August. What's happened so farThe managerial merry-go-round seemingly never ends and Wigan have had to contend with the departure of Steve Bruce after 18 successful months with the club, when they should have been dwelling on a 2008/9 Premier League campaign which was generally positive despite a late slump. The Latics had then hoped to make a swift appointment after agreeing a deal with former player and highly-rated young manager Roberto Martinez, but a compensation wrangle with Swansea forced a delay and meant that his first press conference did not go ahead in scenes similar to Bruce's no-show in November 2007. Martinez, eventually confirmed on 15th June, has wasted no time in making his first signing after capturing Jordi Gomez on a three-year deal. He brought the midfielder to Swansea on loan and feels he can succeed in the top flight. Transfer business has otherwise had to remain on the back-burner due to the managerial upheaval but certain issues had already been decided prior to Bruce's move to Sunderland, such as the future of on-loan Egyptian forward Amr Zaki. Zaki moved to the JJB Stadium from Zamalek last summer and initially took English football by storm, but the goals dried up and he also infuriated Bruce with his 'unprofessional' behaviour, repeatedly failing to return from international duty on time. Wigan opted not to make the switch permanent and, having already lost key players like Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey in the January transfer window, it appears more could be on their way through the exit door over the next couple of months. Antonio Valencia has terrorised Premier League defenders for three years but looks likely to be wearing the red of Manchester United next term after chairman Dave Whelan confirmed their interest and stated that he had already received initial offers. Mido is due to return to Middlesbrough after a loan spell with Wigan during the second half of last season, but it is unclear whether he would want to play in the Championship and Bruce had hinted that he would be open to extending the striker's stay. The new boss may feel differently. Henri Camara and Antoine Sibierski were not offered new contracts at the end of the season, while reports have suggested that Bruce could raid the Latics for some of his former players. Olivier Kapo and Paul Scharner have also been tipped to leave the club and there has been speculation regarding a loan move for Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner and a swoop for Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo. What they needWigan's major problem last season was a lack of goals and their final tally of 34, which was helped by Zaki getting off to such a flyer, was better only than relegated Middlesbrough. Colombia international Hugo Rodallega showed some promise towards the end of the campaign but this is still an area that needs addressing and the new manager will want to bring in a more experienced frontman. The Latics are strong defensively and well organised too, but it will be important to keep hold of Titus Bramble, a revelation last term, and to sign at least one creative midfielder. Whelan will give whatever financial backing he can and will reinvest money from the expected sale of Valencia, who could command a fee of around £20million. What they'll getValencia is set to leave to raise funds for new arrivals but the managerial change makes it difficult to predict with any certainty who might come in. Martinez is likely to recruit four or five players to freshen up his inherited squad and may look to Spain for technically gifted professionals who are not necessarily household names. He also regards many of those he worked with at Swansea as good enough to play in the Premier League and others could follow Gomez in making the move to Wigan. Have your say on who Wigan should bring in by filling in the feedback form below...

Source: SKY_Sports