Paul Cook is expected to ring the changes for the trip to The New York Stadium tonight in the first round of the Carabao Cup with Jamie Jones, Alex Bruce, Jamie Walker and Gary Roberts all expected to start.
After both sides achieved promotion to the Championship last season having suffered relegation the previous season, the game won’t feature high on either sides list of priorities and Cook has already informed supporters of his priorities after the defeat to Aston Villa at weekend.
Paul Cook: “The league is our total and utter priority, this year, the FA Cup as well. So there will be a lot of changes on Tuesday night for our supporters who are travelling. I wouldn’t want people to travel across and be disappointed with the team selection. We respect every competition we’re in but these games are really tough on the legs and we’re in a very competitive league and we’re going to make sure the team selection is based around that.”
Leo Lopes and Kal Naismith could make their competitive debuts after featuring in pre-season but not making the field in either of the two opening league fixtures. The game will not go to Extra Time this evening should the score be level after 90 minutes. Under a new initiative for the completion, the game will head straight to penalties with the more recognised and traditional ABAB system replacing the ABBA farce used last season and in our win over Blackpool in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Rotherham Memories
Wigan Athletics first visit to The New York Stadium was a relegation battle in 2015 that went the way of The Latics after two Jermaine Pennant free kicks earned a valuable 2-1 win. The victory was the 4th successive away win during somewhat of a revival under Malky Malkay but ultimately a shocking run of home form wasn’t enough to save the club from relegation or indeed to save Mackay his job.
