Well the fifth and final installment of the player who have had excellent season for Latics. And I am finishing up with our resident starlet, Victor Moses is of course a player that is under a lot of speculation and looks set to leave this summer as he won't sign a new contract. Or more his agent is advising him not to bother, rather stupidly.

Yet in his first full season Moses has down rather well in the Premier League. It took him a while to get into it, but once the winger got us to the status as the creative player in the team, then he fitted in and took the role on. In the end Moses finished up having scored six times and made six assists in 37 games.

Continue reading this post »

This was meant to go out yesterday, but having gone out, and then read that Martinez was on his way to the red half of Liverpool (oh wait that is Liverpool). But anyway this post isn't about Roberto, my anger on that score will come later on.

We are here though to talk about a player who has played in about every left sided position this season. Personally I feel that it has been our Honduras left back's best season for a couple of years. Maynor Figueroa had looked slow and was caught out often last year. But he has improved over the summer, and now he has adapted his playing style to play on the left side of the centeral defence.

Continue reading this post »

I missed one yesterday in looking at Latics's player of the season. So instead you are going to get today. The first of the two is our resident ever present in goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi. Would you believe me if I said he hasn't missed a game since signing (ones that he has been allowed to play in, he missed last seasons games against Bolton). And that is just one of the many reasons why he is such a joy to have at the club.

When Ali was signed on loan two summers. I will admit I was a bit skeptical, there were other keepers available, and when I has seen the Omanian play I hadn't been very impressed. But then two games and ten goals later, which have killed Chris Kirkland's Wigan career. Ali Al Habsi stepped up to the plate. And well the rest as they say is history.

Continue reading this post »

The younger and Irish of our two James' has been a player that we have expected big things from since his arrival in 2010. Yet the midfielder has yet to spark into the explosive form that he had looked on the verge of in 2011 before Fabrice Muamba ended it witha crunching tackle.

Yet this season our midfielder has been an ever present in Martinez's midfield this year. And we wouldn't have had it any other way. His continual effort levels have always made the Latics faitfull appretiate him. And this season he has started to add that spark of vision and tactical thinking of a player we thought we had signed.

The only downside for McCarthy this season is that he hasn't scored. After numerous attempts and close shaves at goal. James couldn't score. A shame really has his season performances deserve a goal, and had he started scoring then we may not have had such a rough season.

Continue reading this post »

So first up to have their season looked at, is our captain and the clubs winner of player of the season. As I type this, he is winning our vote. And really it is no surprise that a player who has become a fan favourite would win this year award. Gary Caldwell has had a mixed Wigan career so far, when we signed him in the January of 2010. Many people felt that he would come and revitalise our defence.

And he did do that for a time. Showing the characteristics that had made him Scotland's best center back. Strong in the tackle and always putting his body on the line. But after a hip operation last season he never really hit his best, but when he did it still wasn't at the level we expected.

Continue reading this post »

It’s that time of year again. Where after a very long and hard slog, we come down to saying what our best bits were, it gives that lighter tinge even on the darkest of seasons. So today and for the rest of this week, I am looking for you player of the season.

There have been many players this year that have stood out at parts from the season. From Ali Al Habsi in goal continually doing his best, to Gary Caldwell leading the line and taking the ethos of Martinez’s coaching onto the pitch.

So there are many that we can choose from, and I hope it isn’t an easy decision. The official fans perspective went to Gary Caldwell. But wonder if the (of course more prestigious award) of Pie Eaters Footie player of the season, will go to our captain. It’s your turn to choose, comment below if you want to add anyone else to the shortlist (also listed below).

Each day this week I am going to review one of the players season’s in depth and look at what makes them a worthy candidate and then release the winner next Monday. It’s that simple. So get voting.

Shortlist

Gary Caldwell

Ali Al Habsi

Victor Moses

James McCarthy

Maynor Figueroa

With the season only a month gone, next seasons fixtures have been released and allowed us to start to dream about the ties that wait ahead for Latics in the Premier League, and start to plan our days at the DW Stadium for the coming year.

So what are the important fixtures that will stand out next year? Well Latics will play all promoted clubs in our first three games. Good luck or a curse? Looking back last season we saw Blackpool drawn as our first home game, and that turned out to be very much a curse rather than good luck. Year later will lessons be learnt, I think so?

Continue reading this post »

With the season up, here are the key stats from the games.

Top Goal-scorer: Charles N'Zogbia 10 (9 league, 1 cup)

Most Assists: Charles N'Zogbia 8

Biggest Home Win: Wolves (2-0)

Biggest Away Win: Blackpool (3-1)

Biggest Home Lost: Chelsea (0-6)

Biggest Away Lost: Arsenal (0-3)

Biggest Attendants: West Ham United (22,043)

Lowest Attendants: Wolves (14,402)

Most Appearances: Ali Al Habsi 39 (League 34, Cup 5)

Most Points Gained in a Month: May (7 Points)

Least Points Gained in a Month: August and March (3 Points)

Longest Unbeaten Run: Six Games (September to October)

Longest Winless Run: Five Games ( November to December and January to February)