Pre Season Wigan – Signings, Fixtures and The World Cup

Many apologies for my recent absence of blogs, like many I have been busily studying for mid semester exams and watching the World Cup. However, seeing that the tournament is over its half way mark, I have turned my attention towards covering Wigan’s pre season.

Due to World Cup fever and tournament hysteria, the lead up to the 2010/11 Premier League season has been very quiet. Of course, at the conclusion of the tournament, clubs from around the world will begin to splash the cash for some of the in form players. Just one of these many players was smarty snapped up by the Latics before the tournament even began, this of course was the Paraguayan fullback Antolin Alcaraz, who has started in the majority of games for his country and even managed to score against a miserly Italian defence. The fact that Paraguay have only shipped one goal all tournament says a lot for Alcaraz’ current form.During the tenure of Roberto Martinez, many latin American players have been brought in, which has effectively changed the latics into a more attack minded side. His signings thus far have been Alcaraz and more recently promising Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli. I am not sure whether it is particularly encouraging that he was recommended by Juan Sebastian Veron, a player who struggled in the league. However, he will hopefully bring another dimension to the Wigan forward line. A player like Boselli will offer sheer pace and when combined with the lethal Hugo Rodellega this should hopefully bring in a few more goals in the coming season. Just to provide a statistic, Boselli scored 32 goals in 57 appearances at Estudiantes, which is more than a goal every two games!

Promising new signing Mauro Boselli

Although Wigan’s new signings have so far been positive, their fixtures for the upcoming season look rather difficult. In the first match we play Blackpool away and despite the club being the smallest in the Premier League’s history, they will surely be no easy beats, as newly promoted clubs usually play one of their best matches of the season on the opening day. A win in this match is vital given the games that lie ahead in the months of August and September.  In the next match we play Chelsea, and the latics defeated them last season, the 8 nil flogging on the last day is still strong in the memory. After that Wigan face Tottenham, Sunderland, Man City and Birmingham, which are all extremely difficult games.

What would serve Wigan well and what was lacking last season is to take every game as they come and not under estimate any of their opponents. Greater consistency is also expected from fans such as myself as the latics were unable to win two straight games last season.

Heres hoping for a fantastic conclusion to the World Cup and a few more transfers in the upcoming month for Wigan

Category: Pre Season