Source: FOOTYMAD
Wigan Athletic in Transition
Roberto Martinez has had mixed emotions in his first year in charge and is still moulding the squad into his own image. Roberto Martinez has certainly made his mark on the club as he completes a year in charge. Fans have seen numerous changes including playing style, players departing who have served the club well (or not) and also a time to welcome new faces to the club. The latest departure of Titus Bramble indicates that Martinez wants to completely rebuild the squad in his own image, changing from the direct mentality that was used under Steve Bruce, to a more patient, fluid and controlled system. What Steve Bruce did for the club was fantastic. He kept us up when it looked like relegation was certainly on the cards. He then made a few good signings and almost took ‘Little Wigan’ into the UEFA Cup. Not many people will be happy with his transfer policy since moving north, with Lee Cattermole the first to follow Bruce to Sunderland. With numerous rumours surfacing every transfer window regarding the futures of Chris Kirkland, Charles N’Zogbia, Hugo Rodallega and Maynor Figueroa, it is understandable for fans to become disgruntled with Bruce. Now that the Bruce era has finished, Martinez has started to mould the squad into his own, signing players who will fit into his system rather than using players who are use to a rigid 4-4-2. Many who excelled in the Bruce era have gone and it is time to welcome new faces who are going to be a part of our future. Gary Caldwell is probably the favourite to take the captains armband now that Mario Melchiot, Paul Scharner and Bramble have departed and he is the perfect candidate. He was a strong character in the Celtic dressing room for a number of years and his commanding displays (Excluding Bolton and Chelsea) have put him in pole position for the role as captain. Fresh young talent in Victor Moses, James McCarthy and Mohamed Diame are key to Martinez’s plans, players he like, players he sees as part of the clubs future. At the back there is experience in Antolin Alcaraz and Steve Gohouri and the hopeful goal threat from Mauro Boselli show that our young side have a decent mixture of youth and experience to lead the way into the new era, the Martinez era. The club is still in a transition period, it was never going to be an instant transformation with bagfuls of goals, plenty of clean sheets and a top ten finish in the league. It will take time. Martinez has spoken of this, now it is a case of putting our faith in a man who only wants what is best for this club. The new season will see the club enter its 6th season in the Premier League. Time for a new Wigan Athletic to stand up. CLICK HERE FOR THE MESSAGEBOARD
