Latics Season Review 2024-25

Summary

Wigan Athletic concluded the 2024-2025 season in 15th position in League One. Their campaign also included participation in the FA Cup, where they reached the Fourth Round, the EFL Cup, where their journey ended in the First Round, and the EFL Trophy, where they progressed to the Round of 32. Key statistics for the season reveal Dale Taylor as the leading scorer in league matches with 11 goals, while Thelo Aasgaard topped the scoring charts across all competitions with 13 goals before his mid-season transfer. The average home attendance at the Brick Community Stadium was approximately 9,946. Assessing whether Wigan Athletic had a “good” season requires a nuanced perspective, acknowledging their comfortable retention of League One status and a noteworthy FA Cup run, balanced against a mid-table league finish and early exits in the other cup competitions. Avoiding relegation offered a degree of stability, particularly considering the club’s recent history of financial difficulties and points deductions. Finishing in 15th place out of 24 teams positions them in the lower half of the league, indicating performance above the relegation zone but below the promotion contenders. This level of stability could be viewed as a positive step for a club working to overcome past challenges.

League One Performance

Wigan Athletic finished the 2024-2025 League One season in 15th place, accumulating 56 points from their 46 matches. Their overall record comprised 13 wins, 17 draws, and 16 losses. The team’s goal tally stood at 40 goals scored and 42 goals conceded, resulting in a goal difference of -2. This slight negative goal difference suggests that while their defence was relatively sound, the team might have benefited from greater attacking prowess, potentially contributing to their mid-table standing.

Examining their performance at home and away reveals a balanced split in points. Playing at the Brick Community Stadium, Wigan Athletic recorded 7 wins, 7 draws, and 9 losses, while their away fixtures yielded 6 wins, 10 draws, and 7 losses. Interestingly, their away form resulted in 28 points, matching their home points total. This slightly better performance on the road could indicate a tactical approach or mental fortitude that was more effective in away environments, possibly through counter-attacking strategies or reduced pressure compared to home games.

Comparing this season’s outcome to the previous campaign highlights a minor downturn in league position. In the 2023-2024 season, Wigan Athletic finished in 12th place, meaning they dropped three places in the league standings this year. This slight regression in league performance might suggest challenges faced during the season, although factors such as player departures and the ongoing process of rebuilding following financial constraints need to be considered for a comprehensive evaluation.

Throughout the season, Wigan Athletic experienced both highs and lows. Their most significant victory in League One was a 4-0 away win against Bristol Rovers, demonstrating their capability for dominant performances. Conversely, their heaviest defeat came at home against Birmingham City, who triumphed 3-0. Notably, towards the end of the season, the team demonstrated improved form, embarking on a seven-game unbeaten run, as acknowledged by manager Ryan Lowe. This positive momentum at the season’s end suggests a growing cohesion and tactical understanding within the squad. However, this period of strong performance followed an inconsistent run of results throughout much of the campaign, indicating potential difficulties in maintaining consistent performance levels over the entirety of the league season.

Cup Competitions Review

Wigan Athletic’s journey in the FA Cup saw them progress to the Fourth Round. They commenced their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Carlisle United in the First Round, requiring extra time to secure the win. This was followed by another extra-time win in the Second Round, where they defeated Cambridge United 2-1. Their Third Round match resulted in a more straightforward 2-0 away win against Mansfield Town. Their FA Cup run concluded in the Fourth Round with a 1-2 home defeat to Fulham. Reaching the Fourth Round of the FA Cup is a respectable achievement for a League One club, providing both on-field competition and potential financial benefits. While victories against lower-league opposition are anticipated, navigating through multiple rounds signifies a degree of success in this prestigious competition. The eventual loss to a Premier League side like Fulham is a common outcome for teams outside the top tier.

In the EFL Cup, Wigan Athletic’s participation was short-lived. They were eliminated in the First Round after a 1-1 draw with Barnsley, followed by a 2-4 loss in the penalty shootout. Exiting the EFL Cup at such an early stage can be seen as a setback, possibly indicating a prioritization of league form or a lack of squad depth to effectively compete in multiple competitions during the initial phase of the season. While penalty shootouts can be unpredictable, the First Round exit meant an early end to their involvement in this cup competition.

Wigan Athletic also participated in the EFL Trophy, where they were placed in Northern Group C alongside Carlisle United, Morecambe, and Nottingham Forest U21. They finished second in their group, securing qualification for the knockout stages. Their group stage performance included one win, one draw (which they won on penalties), and one loss. However, their progress in the knockout rounds was halted in the Round of 32, where they suffered a 2-3 defeat to Chesterfield. Advancing from the group stage of the EFL Trophy represents a positive step, demonstrating competitiveness against their group opponents. However, failing to progress beyond the Round of 32 meant their impact on the latter stages of the tournament was limited.

Key Performance Indicators

The top goal scorers for Wigan Athletic’s 2024-2025 season provide insights into their attacking output. Dale Taylor emerged as the leading scorer in League One with 11 goals. Across all competitions, Thelo Aasgaard was the top marksman with 13 goals, although he transferred to Luton Town during the January transfer window. Having a designated goal scorer is crucial for a team’s success, and Taylor’s contribution in the league was significant. The departure of Aasgaard, who was the leading scorer overall, mid-season could have potentially affected the team’s goalscoring capabilities in the latter part of the campaign.

Attendance figures at the Brick Community Stadium reflect the level of fan support throughout the season. The highest attendance recorded was 15,445, while the lowest was 7,419. The average home league attendance stood at 9,946. This average attendance indicates a solid base of support for a League One club. The variation between the highest and lowest attendances likely depended on factors such as the opponent’s popularity, the day of the week the match was played, and the team’s recent form leading up to the game.

Analysing significant wins and losses provides further context to Wigan Athletic’s season. As previously mentioned, their biggest league win was a 4-0 away victory against Bristol Rovers, showcasing their potential to perform strongly. Their most substantial league defeat was a 0-3 home loss to Birmingham City. Examining the fixture lists also reveals a notable 2-0 away win against Bolton Wanderers in December, who finished higher in the league table. These results highlight the team’s capacity to achieve positive outcomes against strong opposition, alongside instances where they fell short against other teams in the league.

Manager and Fan Perspectives

Manager Ryan Lowe offered his assessment of the 2024-2025 season, stating he was “pleased on a whole” with the team’s performance. He highlighted the fact that Wigan Athletic secured their League One status with several matches remaining, emphasizing the progress made throughout the campaign. While acknowledging a desire for more victories, Lowe expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall development from their previous position. Looking ahead, he conveyed a positive outlook for the next season, emphasizing the importance of strategic recruitment to further strengthen the squad. The manager’s perspective suggests a recognition of the season’s challenges and an overall contentment with achieving the primary objective of remaining in League One, while also indicating future ambitions for improvement.

The sentiment among Wigan Athletic supporters presents a more complex picture. The “Happy Fan Index 2025” surprisingly placed Wigan Athletic third in the League One ranking of “most miserable supporters”. This suggests that, despite the team avoiding relegation, a significant portion of the fanbase may have experienced dissatisfaction throughout the season. Potential reasons for this could include the team’s style of play, inconsistent home form, or perhaps lingering frustrations related to the club’s past financial difficulties. However, defender Luke Robinson acknowledged the fans’ “unwavering support” throughout the campaign. This might indicate that while overall sentiment as captured by surveys could be negative, the dedicated core of supporters continued to provide encouragement to the team during matches. The existence of online fan forums such as Cockney Latic and the Wigan Athletic Supporters Club forum provides platforms for fans to discuss and express their opinions on the club’s performance, although the provided information does not include direct quotes reflecting the overall assessment of the season from these forums. These online communities serve as valuable barometers of fan sentiment throughout the year.

Overall Season Evaluation

In summary, Wigan Athletic’s 2024-2025 season saw them achieve their primary goal of retaining their League One status with relative comfort. Their FA Cup run to the Fourth Round was a noteworthy positive, while their early exits in the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy were less successful aspects of their cup campaigns. Their mid-table league finish in 15th position represents a season of consolidation, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the club’s recent financial challenges and the manager’s assessment of progress. However, the indication of fan dissatisfaction from the “miserable fans” survey suggests that the on-field performance may not have fully met the expectations of the supporters.

Ultimately, whether Wigan Athletic had a “good” season is subjective and depends on the criteria used for evaluation. For a club with aspirations of promotion, finishing in 15th place would likely be considered disappointing. However, considering the club’s recent history and the immediate priority of establishing stability in League One, the season could be viewed as one of modest progress and consolidation. The fans’ perspective, as suggested by the “miserable fans” survey, indicates that there is still room for improvement and that future seasons will need to demonstrate more compelling performances to fully satisfy the Wigan Athletic faithful.

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