Pete, Ned and Danielle gave us their thoughts ahead of the 15/16 campaign for a Wigan Athletic side who will hoping to bounce straight back following relegation last term.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
The season was a total, unmitigated disaster. We began as promotion favourites and ended it relegated. In between we went from the end of August until the middle of April not winning a home match (we barely scored a goal for much of that spell too). Our chairman embarrassed himself and our club (not least with his own entry into the urban dictionary) and stood down. We lost two managers (the less said about either, but the second one in particular, the better) and our FA Cup heroes that were sill at the club seemingly lost interest and left. It was a terrible season that had many fans questioning what we could do to reclaim our club. From that pessimism gradually comes an optimism and I - like many other Latics - can't wait for the season to start.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
Lots of players left at the end of last season and so we needed plenty of new additions. Others - seemingly not representing 'value' for their salaries or part of the demotivated group that brought embarrassment on the team last year - were either pushed or jumped and moved on, and players who were probably too good for League 1 (Perch and McClean) left too. Our new chairman said we needed in the region of 15 new players and we stand around that mark. I think there will be ten new players in the starting XI on Saturday. On paper I am very impressed with Grigg, our new centre forward, O'Donnell, who will keep goal, James, the new leftback and Morgan who immediately endeared himself to the fans by seemingly turning down Bolton to join us. Some of the other signings excite too. But there are lots of new players and the reality is that some will be successes and others less clearly so. The team will also take time to gel, as reflected in our 'mixed' pre-season results.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
On paper, we still need a bit more attacking pace and width, probably down the right hand side. I would be surprised if we had seen the end of our recruitment drive but we can't really know the answer to this question until we've seen them play. And one great thing about this league is that fixtures seem to come thick and fast.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Pretty much all of them. It's been 12 years since we left this level and we have lots of friends and rivals here. I can't wait to visit a new ground (to me, and to us as a football club) in Coventry City's Ricoh Arena on Saturday (whilst on that subject - respect to their fans in their battles on that issue). But there are lots of local derbies for us.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
I only have hopes for my own team - but Sheffield United look strong, settled and with our old 'Flapper' Adkins as manager and Bury look to have strengthened well. But - who knows? It's a division full of surprises for us (hopefully many will be good).
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
It's a new squad, so I'll be looking out for players in it! I don't want to heap pressure of Will Grigg but we hope he can repeat his goalscoring form that he showed for MK Dons (uggh) with us.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
Again, this is so hard to predict. I don't know the strength of our own team or that of the opposition. The residuals of parachute payments mean our budget is healthy at this level and our young chairman says we'll 'smash' the division and end with '100 points'. Pre-season is the time for optimism but most of us fans don't quite feel like he does. OK, so my heart says promoted but my head says that a new team will take time to bed in and the place could descend into panic if we're 20th come November. I suspect the reality will be somewhere in between the two scenarios. If we can be around 10th at Christmas I think the new team will have gelled and we'll have a strong chance of getting into the play-offs by the end of the season (and maybe even winning them). In reality, we just need to improve on last season's dismal, dismal display (on and off the pitch). So, plucking a position out of the air, I'll go for 6th.
Here are Ned's thoughts.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
From my perspective, last season was the worst in Wigan Athletic history. Everything went wrong. From Uwe Rosler's initially promising transfer dealings, to the appalling appointment of Malky Mackay, Dave Whelan's subsequent defence of it, to the loss of identity on and off the pitch, and ultimately, relegation. The atmosphere at the club was as dark as it has ever been, with a dressing room that had seen greater turnover in a year than any other in the country. For a period of time, it felt as though the club had lost its direction and the strong ethos that had guided it so successfully for so many years prior. The darkness was finally lifted, however, when Gary Caldwell was installed as manager with a handful of games to go. Though he couldn't steer us to safety, his impact was immediate – we saw a welcome return to the footballing values, both on and off the pitch, of his former manager and mentor, Roberto Martinez.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
It's hard to assess them at this stage – there are so many of them. On paper, and in theory, yes. Will Grigg is exactly the type of striker we have been unable to secure for years, a tricky all-rounder with a proven goalscoring record in the league we're in, and experience playing in a lone role. Craig Morgan appears an excellent signing in the defensive department, with important leadership skills and experience to build an organized unit around. Michael Jacobs will hopefully provide the much needed flair to unlock defences, while Max Power looks a cultured player. Reece James from Manchester United sounds well-suited to the tactical systems likely to be employed by Gary Caldwell, seamlessly switching back and forth from traditional full-back to wing-back roles. Richard O'Donnell should be a reliable keeper and is accomplished in this division.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
I feel we need another flair player or two, be that a winger or a second forward capable of playing in the hole behind Grigg. Another dribbler. At the moment we look a bit reliant on Jacobs producing a moment of magic. Craig Davies, the most likely to partner Grigg up front, has a bad injury record, and Billy McKay hasn't quite come off yet at Wigan – I'd also be on the lookout for another striker, perhaps on loan until Grant Holt makes his comeback.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Coventry City, tomorrow. While we need to be patient with what is essentially a brand new squad and rookie manager, I think most of us Latics fans just can't wait to get the new season under way and banish the demons of yesteryear. There is a real feeling of goodwill and optimism around the club – a fresh start for everyone – and we just want to start enjoying watching and supporting our team again.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
Sheffield United sound like the team to watch after their near miss last year. Even more so after signing ex-Latic Conor Sammon! He may have only scored one goal for us in thirty-ish appearances, but it was a good 'un! Sparked the comeback against West Ham which kept us up for another glorious season of Premier League play. He should be quality at League 1 level.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
The obvious ones are Will Grigg and Michael Jacobs – proven performers in this division with goals and flair respectively. But I'm personally really hoping one of our loanees from Everton, Francisco Junior, takes advantage of the fresh start we're giving him and fulfils some of his huge potential in midfield. Roberto wouldn't have sent him to us if he didn't think he had something to offer. One massive question mark is Grant Holt. His signing two years ago has been an unmitigated disaster, with injuries, loan spells, differences of opinion, and managerial changes combining to keep from making any impact other than draining the club's coffers on his big wages. But if, and this is a big if – he can make a full recovery to a serious knee injury at age 34 – he could be something of a wild card in this division and mend a strained relationship with the club's fans. It'll be fascinating to see.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
A slow start to the season as the team beds in. Mid-table by Christmas and play-offs all things told.
Finally here are Danielle's thoughts on the season ahead.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
I feel we did awful but I believe things have never gone well since Owen Coyle was manager it's like we haven't picked up and been the team I know. I do also believe some players who have now left also never helped the situation we faced while in the championship it seemed a few wanted to jump ship and I do believe some of them are to blame for our current situation!
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
This is the happiest me and many other fans have been there seems to be a fresh feeling around the club that hasn't been here for a while. Additions such as Reece James, Will Grigg and Max Power are great signings along with a few others, It shows what our goal is and that's to obviously get promoted.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
I do think another Goalkeeper would help as I am not overly impressed with Lee Nicholls at the moment I do hear that Chris Kirkland is on the verge of rejoining Wigan. I think too many signings could work against us so I'd play a few games and then decide if additions are needed!
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Wigan fans love to go to Local teams so Blackpool away is always a good game to look forward to and often brings some good football.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
I think one of the teams in League 1 this year to watch out for is Sheffield United! They do look a very strong team and I do think they will do very well hopefully along with us.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
I think the players to look out for are players like Will Grigg who had a great goal scoring record at MK Dons I'm hoping he will be good for us and get the goals needed, I am impressed with the signing of Reece James as well because I know that Nottingham Forest and Fulham where interested in signing him it's great to see us fight of championship clubs for a great player! The other player I think will also do the team well is Michael Jacobs who signed from Wolves if he plays as the number 10 just behind the striker he could really do well in the Wigan team.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
I'd like to think we would be challenging for promotion with the players we have is be hoping for top 5 however it worries me that maybe all the changes in the transfer window could work against us only time will tell.
I feel we did awful but I believe things have never gone well since Owen Coyle was manager it's like we haven't picked up and been the team I know. I do also believe some players who have now left also never helped the situation we faced while in the championship it seemed a few wanted to jump ship and I do believe some of them are to blame for our current situation!
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
This is the happiest me and many other fans have been there seems to be a fresh feeling around the club that hasn't been here for a while. Additions such as Reece James, Will Grigg and Max Power are great signings along with a few others, It shows what our goal is and that's to obviously get promoted.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
I do think another Goalkeeper would help as I am not overly impressed with Lee Nicholls at the moment I do hear that Chris Kirkland is on the verge of rejoining Wigan. I think too many signings could work against us so I'd play a few games and then decide if additions are needed!
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Wigan fans love to go to Local teams so Blackpool away is always a good game to look forward to and often brings some good football.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
I think one of the teams in League 1 this year to watch out for is Sheffield United! They do look a very strong team and I do think they will do very well hopefully along with us.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
I think the players to look out for are players like Will Grigg who had a great goal scoring record at MK Dons I'm hoping he will be good for us and get the goals needed, I am impressed with the signing of Reece James as well because I know that Nottingham Forest and Fulham where interested in signing him it's great to see us fight of championship clubs for a great player! The other player I think will also do the team well is Michael Jacobs who signed from Wolves if he plays as the number 10 just behind the striker he could really do well in the Wigan team.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
I'd like to think we would be challenging for promotion with the players we have is be hoping for top 5 however it worries me that maybe all the changes in the transfer window could work against us only time will tell.
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