2012/2013 Season
Review:
After
the inevitable ‘Great Escape’ we have come to expect from Roberto Martinez’s
Wigan last season, he once again strengthened to attempt to ensure that Wigan
avoid the last weeks’ scramble for points. Signing Arouna Kone, to provide some
pace and clinical finishing, along with Ivan Ramis, James McCarthy and James
McArthur (providing commentators with a nightmare few months working out which
was which!), he watched his Wigan side start with a 0-2 home defeat against
Chelsea. More promising, and perhaps representative, was the 2-0 away win the
following game at St. Mary’s. September proved a more testing month in the
league, with the Latics collecting only one point, and slipping into the
relegation places by the end. Two thumping 4-1 victories in the Capital One Cup
gave them something to save, and this saw their form eventually improve.
October
began in a much better fashion, with a home draw against Everton, before
picking up their first win in 7 league games at home to West Ham. However, a
poor defeat on penalties to League 2 side Bradford ended Wigan’s Capital One
Cup good results. This type of form is comparable to early season forms of
previous seasons, where they have needed their traditional ‘Great Escape’ when
we get into spring. November also mirrored this form, with the Latics taking
only three points out of their five league games in the month. Relegation form
in anyone’s book, and one that Wigan would need to improve if they wanted to
avoid the drop. This season, more so than many before it, seemed to have an air
of inevitability about Wigan’s relegation, and there was widespread belief that
Wigan’s upturn in form would come too late.
December,
the busiest month of the season, is essential to a successful season. Without a
consistent string of results, a side will invariably fall short of their
objectives for the season. Wigan, unfortunately for them, failed to
significantly improve their recent form, picking up only four points during the
month. Particularly disappointing was that the games were mostly against sides
around them in the table, making it even more imperative they achieve results. However,
the month, and year, did end on a positive note, with a convincing 3-0 away
victory at Aston Villa, giving them hope for better fortune in 2013.
January
started with a 0-4 home demolition by Manchester United, sweeping away all
momentum. The start of the FA Cup then signalled a chance to escape their weak
league form, and start again on an even keel.
Unconvincing 3rd and 4th Round successes against
Bournemouth and Macclesfield did little to quash the nerves around the side,
and no league win in the month further exacerbated an already hopeless looking
situation. After the two busy months, Wigan seemed to re-find themselves. February
saw Wigan really find their cup form, dominating Huddersfield on their own
patch, winning 4-1, and following that up with a 3-0 success at Reading in the
league. This led pundits to conclude that the club’s cup form could be the key
to the preservation of their league status in the coming months.
March,
if we ignore the 0-4 hammering at home to Liverpool, was an exceptionally
successful month. A shock win at Goodison Park in the FA Cup 6th
Round, meaning a trip to Wembley, started things off well, with three goals in
four first half minutes to put the home side on the ropes. Successive wins against
both Newcastle and Norwich then gave the Latics genuine hope of another ‘Great
Escape’. Including these games, Wigan went on a five game unbeaten run,
including a victory against Millwall in the FA Cup Semi. Whilst the game was unfortunately
marred by violence in the Millwall end, Wigan thoroughly outplayed their
Championship opponents, winning the game 2-0. Two successive league defeats
followed the euphoria of achieving an FA Cup final, which severely dented their
survival hopes, but a draw at home to Tottenham, followed by an away win at
West Brom once again reignited the Wigan fans’ hope of survival, leaving them
just three points adrift. However, a 2-3 defeat at home to Swansea left their
Premier League status hanging by a thread, and it was not the best preparation
for arguably their biggest game in their short history.
The FA
Cup Final against Manchester City, in which Wigan were the 9/1 long shots,
started with City on the front foot, forcing Wigan keeper Joel into a number of
good saves. However, as the game went on, it became more and more obvious that
Roberto Martinez had got his tactics spot-on, with Callum McManaman in
particular standing out. The second half continued in the same vein, with the
Latics dominating both possession and chances, and once Pablo Zabaleta had been
sent off for City, the inevitable occurred. Ben Watson’s 91st minute
header sent the Wigan end into delirium and left many rubbing their eyes in
disbelief. The final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation on the touchline and
in the stands. A first major trophy in their history, and a thoroughly deserved
win.
Unfortunately,
they were unable to celebrate their FA Cup victory for long, before being
plunged into despair at the Emirates. A 4-1 defeat just four days after their
Wembley heroics meant their relegation was confirmed. Some may say it is about
three seasons too late, however I genuinely think the Premier League will miss
Wigan’s indescribable late season form each season. Pundits have said that
Wigan only play well ‘when the clocks go forward’. They cannot afford to do
that next year, or they will be finding it very hard to stay in the highly
competitive Championship.
Overall,
if you had offered the FA Cup to the Wigan side at the start of the season in
exchange for relegation, they probably would have taken it. Promotions occur
every year, but a cup final is probably a once in a career opportunity for
these Wigan players. As for their manager, they may face a struggle to keep
him, as he is too good to ply his trade in the second tier. I fear for Wigan,
as the Championship is notoriously competitive, and getting back up is not
easy.
Player of the Season:
Arouna Kone – Based on the FA Cup run, I would say McManaman. However,
based on the overall season, I have to go with the big Ivorian. Eleven goals in
your first season is a good return, especially when you consider the position
of the club. His pace and finishing ability will leave him in demand from other
Premier League clubs next season, perhaps the promoted sides.
Game of the Season: Manchester
City 0-1 Wigan – Perhaps the easiest selection I have had to make. An historic
day for the club and the city, and the best illustration that you should never
underestimate the underdog. Bringing back shades of Sunderland vs Leeds, and
the Crazy Gang’s heroics against Liverpool a decade or so later, Wigan’s
success will live long in the memory, and shows us just why the FA Cup is so
revered.
Summer Transfer
Targets (What I Think They Need): Keeping Roberto Martinez, whilst a huge
challenge, is their most important aim of this pre-season. I fully expect that
this will be a summer of more exits than entrances for Wigan Athletic, with
many of the club’s FA Cup heroes in demand. This makes it impossible to judge
exactly will be needed, but they need to retain a core from the current squad
to build a Championship equivalent around.
Transfer Gossip
Links:
In:
None
Out:
Franco Di Santo (Lazio, Bologna, West Brom, ST),
James McCarthy (Newcastle, CM), Maynor Figueroa (West Ham United, CB), Callum
McManaman (Everton, RW), Roberto Martinez (Manager, Everton)
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