Looking at the League table at on May 3rd 2019 at 3pm, you would have thought Wigan had a really comfortable season, achieving safety by 12 points.
Weird how 4 games earlier we looked to be treading water and staring down the barrel with fixtures against Leeds and Preston on the horizon.
Then came that amazing performance at Elland road which saw Energybet favourites to win the game Leeds totally collapse against a 10 man Latics.
At 1-0 down and a man down with 75 minutes left, Wigan Athletic could have got you odds of around 40/1 to win the match 2-1. And they only went and done it.
The effect had two opposite reactions, Leeds went on to miss out on the automatic promotion spots (and going down in the ply offs), whilst Latics went on to beat Preston and Millwall whilst drawing at Birmingham.
But how will all that translate into next season? Latics need to replace Reece James for starters, the young Chelsea starlet was inspirational last season, possibly one of the best players in the League never mind the Wigan side.
It will probably take the form of another loan signing and high on the list is Toon ace Dan Barlaser who impressed last season at Accrington, but his gaffer wants to see more of him at a better level.
All the signs are that Nick Powell is looking for a big payday at Stoke City, so replacing him will be no easy task. Saying that he has been a bit part player at best for the past few months and our form didn’t really rely on him being in the side. But the lad is talented and will be missed for the odd game he did have a positive impact.
Securing Gavin Massey on another 2 year deal is massive, he was exception last season and he could well fill that hole Nick Powell leaves.
Will Grigg leaving hit the club hard and bringing in someone that will grab those 20 goals a season will be high on the list. The rumour mill is in full flow on this one with the press touting Jamal Lowe from Portsmouth as the likely target.
Sheffield Wednesday are looking hard at Samy Morsy, but the Egyptian seems settled at Wigan and will certainly form part of Cook’s plans if he stays.
Next season could well be another struggle if we don’t replace well, but the youngsters in the academy are another source we may well see being tapped into and so they should be.
We can only wait to see what happens, and seeing as most players are having a well deserved break, it probably will be a couple of weeks at least, before we see any firm movements.
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