betting
Wigan
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Martinez pumps enthusiasm
The fans never seem to believe in their team with attendances reaching record low peaks one season after the other. Whelan’s investment does not look like being ready to give good return anytime soon but manager Martinez has shown great belief in the squad and that is what will keep them pushing relegation troubles aside for another year running.
Coach: Martinez
Tactics: 4-4-1-1
Players In: Boselli, Di Santo, Stam, Cleverley, S. Caldwell, McArthur, Al Habsi, Alcaraz
Players Out: Bramble, Koumas, Routledge, Scotland
Current Probable Formation: Kirkland, Boyce, Alcaraz, G. Caldwell, Figueroa, Stam, Diame, H. Thomas, N’Zogbia, J. McCarthy, Rodallega
Martinez’s obsession with South American players has its roots in his desire to entertain fans with football that is attractive enough to gather crowds as big as those which their rugby counterparts in the city manage all season long. It has been a lost battle until now with fans still preferring to enjoy the success of their rugby side rather than suffer with the Latics in a Premier League table which rarely gives as much satisfaction. They are not the cream of the crop amongst the lot in football and this is not to the spectators’ liking.
Nonetheless neither chairman Dave Whelan, for whom the DW Stadium is named, nor Martinez will be giving up hope despite the clear inability of the team in providing for a mid-table struggle this season. Besides, there still would be no guarantee that the fans will turn to filling up the stands in that case either. The distorted and unrealistic expectations of the lot may have been permanently affected and moulded into the current state by the city’s rugby team.
The group of players composing the squad is not one to
underestimate. They are a very good side when evaluating individual technique
and Martinez has got them playing well over the years too. What is true,
however, 
is that they have never developed the right mentality to face the big
teams effectively. Last season was their first time that they had managed to
defeat teams from the big four …and they did that in style by defeating
champions Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool at the DW Stadium.
Rodallega and N’Zogbia, 15 goals amongst them last season for Wigan, are the young duo that will be guaranteeing the goals. Back-up players in that advanced section of the team will be Argentina duo Di Santo and Boselli, the latter costing €7.5 million for the club. Not to mention Moses who scored six in 18 appearances for Crystal Palace in the Championship last season. He is the youngest of the forwards and should thus feature less than the rest if injuries to his competition do not ease his way into the first team.
The goals are there but the defence is not one to keep clean sheets often. In fact that should be a rarity over the 38 Premier League games. Their backline was the second worst last season, surpassed only by Burnley which over a season conceded a total of 82 goals. The Latics were just three goals shy from sharing that embarrassing stat with the now relegated Burnley.
The defence has undergone many changes too so that aspect won’t help either. What had been a pillar in defence, in good times and bad times, has now left the Latics and more than a handful of fans will be sighing in relief. Titus Bramble was in fact the protagonist of many blunders but others would have remembered his occasional solid displays. Somebody like Steve Bruce, who opted to sign him on board at Sunderland. Martinez has brought replacements – Alcaraz, Stam and Caldwell. Paraguayan central defender Alcaraz should command a place in the starting line-up immediately, partnering Ivory Coast international Gohouri. Stam will be in direct competition with the more experienced Boyce. Stam, in fact, despite the many common factors linking him to his namesake and ex-Manchester United stalwart, is yet to prove his worth in a top European league.
Predicted finishing position: 16th
The attack should not be giving any headaches as Martinez keeps insisting with his South American contingent and fast football. The defence of the Latics has undergone some changes, however, and this will mean that some time will be required before what already looks like a weak backline gets tweaked to decent levels. This should not compromise their bid to keep playing amongst the top English clubs for another season next year.
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