Wigan

[BL3]

I'm sure their fans had a whale of a time in Hungary or wherever they played

No doubt BB and BL3, my point would be that whilst Wigan are in Europa League next season I predict they won't make it past the group stage and it's a group stage as UEFA changed the format

That's even better. They're guaranteed at least 2 away games.

At least 3 away games...

Different format to what I thought then..

Yep, four teams in each group. They play each other home and away.

Remember Pompey getting AC Milan in the group stage? Wigan might get the likes of Roma or Lazio, Valencia, or any of the teams that don't make it through the Champions League qualifiers.

[boltonboris]

Yep, four teams in each group. They play each other home and away.

Remember Pompey getting AC Milan in the group stage? Wigan might get the likes of Roma or Lazio, Valencia, or any of the teams that don't make it through the Champions League qualifiers.

That'd be shit though, because they probably won't win. So their memory of watching their time compete at the Mestalla or the Stadio Olimpico in a European competition will be totally irrelevent

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

martinez staying is bigger than any single player for them. if he does and they keep most of their squad, they'll probably be faves to get back up. big if though.

You sure they've got the bottle for this division? I'd say they're almost as likely to go straight through it like Wolves. Players will disappear, and it's not like they've got the Wigan Roar to depend on...

You can't criticise them for a lack of bottle...

Oh I can, m'friend, and I will: Wigan bottled it against Arsenal last night, just as they bottled it at home to Swansea and in many of the other 18 games they've lost this season. Wouldn't stun anyone to see Martinez walk away, followed by their best players, and they'll be left with a raggy-arsed bunch of confused mercenaries and outmuscled kids playing in front of 4,000 in Dave Whelan's back garden.

They'll have Europe, though, so they'll enjoy that.

[TKIZ!]

martinez staying is bigger than any single player for them. if he does and they keep most of their squad, they'll probably be faves to get back up. big if though.

You sure they've got the bottle for this division? I'd say they're almost as likely to go straight through it like Wolves. Players will disappear, and it's not like they've got the Wigan Roar to depend on...

You can't criticise them for a lack of bottle...

Oh I can, m'friend, and I will: Wigan bottled it against Arsenal last night, just as they bottled it at home to Swansea and in many of the other 18 games they've lost this season. Wouldn't stun anyone to see Martinez walk away, followed by their best players, and they'll be left with a raggy-arsed bunch of confused mercenaries and outmuscled kids playing in front of 4,000 in Dave Whelan's back garden.

They'll have Europe, though, so they'll enjoy that.

We can all agree that Wigan will enjoy their 3 trips to Europe then?

[jaffka]

Not quite sure why the insane one thinks that winning the cup is bad????

I look back at our history and am proud of our previous wins, I would love to seeds Winona in, my life time. Winning that Sherpa van trophy was marvellous.

[mrplow]

Not quite sure why the insane one thinks that winning the cup is bad????

I look back at our history and am proud of our previous wins, I would love to seeds Winona in, my life time. Winning that Sherpa van trophy was marvellous.

I'd take an FA Cup win and relegation over finishing 17th in a heartbeat. And I wouldn't turn my nose up at three away games in Europe either.

[boltonboris]

martinez staying is bigger than any single player for them. if he does and they keep most of their squad, they'll probably be faves to get back up. big if though.

You sure they've got the bottle for this division? I'd say they're almost as likely to go straight through it like Wolves. Players will disappear, and it's not like they've got the Wigan Roar to depend on...

You can't criticise them for a lack of bottle...

Oh I can, m'friend, and I will: Wigan bottled it against Arsenal last night, just as they bottled it at home to Swansea and in many of the other 18 games they've lost this season. Wouldn't stun anyone to see Martinez walk away, followed by their best players, and they'll be left with a raggy-arsed bunch of confused mercenaries and outmuscled kids playing in front of 4,000 in Dave Whelan's back garden.

They'll have Europe, though, so they'll enjoy that.

Arsenal away, going for the Champions League against Wigan fighting relegation and playing 3 days after a cup final. I think an Arsenal win was always going to be on the cards. So it should've been too.

That group of Wigan players has got a serious amount of spirit. They've turned it on for the last few years in massive games and saved themselves, they'd also just won a cup against the wealthiest club in the world.

As I said, I don't think you can claim they've got no bottle.

feck, I sound like Tim Flowers

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Arsenal away, going for the Champions League against Wigan fighting relegation and playing 3 days after a cup final. I think an Arsenal win was always going to be on the cards. So it should've been too.

That group of Wigan players has got a serious amount of spirit. They've turned it on for the last few years in massive games and saved themselves, they'd also just won a cup against the wealthiest club in the world.

As I said, I don't think you can claim they've got no bottle.

feck, I sound like Tim Flowers

Shan't try to do a Flowers/bottle joke, though it must exist.

Dude, you're allowed to love Wigan. But as ever, they've just grabbed a few romantic headlines at the end of another season in which they've struggled to reach 1ppg. Between Bonfire Night and Valentine's they won two games in 16. Where was their bottle when they were getting whupped 3-0 at Newcastle or getting turned over at home by Sunderland? They've won four home games all term: where's the bottle there? Arsenal was the ninth time they've conceded three or more goals: bottle?

Maybe Martinez leaving would help them. I may be wrong - it's been known – but I think there's a fair chance that among the muck and bullets of the second tier, he might be as clueless as the bloke who took us down. For the record, Martinez has presided over 151 top-flight games and won 156 points; whatever the constraints, on that PPG rate few managers would survive, let alone be lauded.

We'll have to see. I hope I'm right, partly because it'll help us, partly because they hate us.

[Enoch]

I don't dislike the club, but I do think they're in for a rough ride.

[BWFC_Insane]

Arsenal away, going for the Champions League against Wigan fighting relegation and playing 3 days after a cup final. I think an Arsenal win was always going to be on the cards. So it should've been too.

That group of Wigan players has got a serious amount of spirit. They've turned it on for the last few years in massive games and saved themselves, they'd also just won a cup against the wealthiest club in the world.

As I said, I don't think you can claim they've got no bottle.

feck, I sound like Tim Flowers

Shan't try to do a Flowers/bottle joke, though it must exist.

Dude, you're allowed to love Wigan. But as ever, they've just grabbed a few romantic headlines at the end of another season in which they've struggled to reach 1ppg. Between Bonfire Night and Valentine's they won two games in 16. Where was their bottle when they were getting whupped 3-0 at Newcastle or getting turned over at home by Sunderland? They've won four home games all term: where's the bottle there? Arsenal was the ninth time they've conceded three or more goals: bottle?

Maybe Martinez leaving would help them. I may be wrong - it's been known – but I think there's a fair chance that among the muck and bullets of the second tier, he might be as clueless as the bloke who took us down. For the record, Martinez has presided over 151 top-flight games and won 156 points; whatever the constraints, on that PPG rate few managers would survive, let alone be lauded.

We'll have to see. I hope I'm right, partly because it'll help us, partly because they hate us.

I agree with what DSB said.

He only survives cos he wears long coats and is Spanish and talks foreign.

My opinion. If he was called Steve Smith the media would say how shite he was.

In fact I'd reckon Paul Jewell's record at Wigan was more impressive. Anyone want him as manager?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

In fact I'd reckon Paul Jewell's record at Wigan was more impressive.

Mixed.

Under Paul Jewell, they finished 10th (51pts) and 17th (38).
Under Steve Bruce, they finished 14th (40pts) and 11th (45).
Under Bob Martin, they finished 16th (36pts), 16th (42), 15th (43) and 18th (35 so far).

Jewell disappointed after he left Wigan, as did Bruce to a lesser extent. Martinez may soon have to tiptoe out into that wide Whelan-free world.

I think RM's an intriguing manager who makes some interesting tactical decisions, but you don't hear half as much about how Steve Bruce had Hull playing three at the back for most of the season then switched it to 4-4-2 for that crucial game against Cardiff...

[BWFC_Insane]

So Jewell at Wigan got 1.17ppg.

Bruce got 1.12ppg.

Martinez has averaged 1.03ppg.

So yeah I think saying that Martinez has much to do to prove himself and currently is way overhyped is fair. Nay more than fair.

I'm not saying he's no good, he just hasn't proven it yet over any sort of a sustained period. Bumbling along at 1ppg is hardly something to be overhyping.

Interesting to see where he goes next and what he does.

[si2008]

Dave Whelan has said on tv that Martínez will not go to everton as they not a bigger club than Wigan...and wigan will be back next yr in the premiership.i do think the guy is off his rocker...

Also first club i know to have a parade next monday for going down ha ha

[YtarmyYtarmy]

Not quite sure why the insane one thinks that winning the cup is bad????

I look back at our history and am proud of our previous wins, I would love to seeds Winona in, my life time. Winning that Sherpa van trophy was marvellous.

I'd take an FA Cup win and relegation over finishing 17th in a heartbeat. And I wouldn't turn my nose up at three away games in Europe either.

Totally agree with this I really want to see Bolton win a pot before I die, and we've had a couple of near things over the last few years, here's hoping !!

[jaffka]

Not quite sure why the insane one thinks that winning the cup is bad????

I look back at our history and am proud of our previous wins, I would love to see us win a cup in my life time. Winning that Sherpa van trophy was marvellous.

<EDIT> as in predictive text, seeds Winona makes sense

[bobo the clown]

Not quite sure why the insane one thinks that winning the cup is bad????

I look back at our history and am proud of our previous wins, I would love to see us win a cup in my life time. Winning that Sherpa van trophy was marvellous.

<EDIT> as in predictive text, seeds Winona makes sense

I did wonder.

You need to incorporate "seeding Winona" now & again. It could develop to be up there with "the Ugandan question".

[Bruce Rioja]

What's the Ugandan question?

[mrkint]

What's the Ugandan question?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22470691" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bruce Rioja]

What's the Ugandan question?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22470691" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ah, cheers. Whenever I think of Uganda I think of this.

[LeverEnd]

8 against-the-odds years in the prem end with an FA Cup win, a European campaign and a crack at promotion (perhaps via Wembley again) the following year. Not too bad really.
Finishing 15th-17th gets very old tiresome when you've been in the Prem more than a couple of years.
I worked in Wigan for two years until Jan 2013 round the corner of the DW and several Wigan fan colleagues were actually looking forward to going down last year before the Great Escape because they wanted to win more games they lost for their money.
I think they'll struggle next season, but the fans will remember the FA Cup win and Euro games for the rest of their lives.