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Wigan Athletic: Returning Strong

Started on 21 February 2014 by Joe
Latest Reply on 22 February 2014 by ChloeAJLee
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Recently, I have had a couple of successful-ish stories on the site, and even though I struggle to stick with many of them, I have written about them in a story form for you guys to read. However, I wanted to change the way I did things. I always manage top division sides, always title contenders, and have never really delved into lower league action. Hopefully this time will be slightly different, and you guys will enjoy my story as much as I will.

Why Wigan Athletic?



Not long ago, I heard of the news that Wigan midfielder Ben Watson had suffered a horrific double leg-break. It immediately made me think back to the FA Cup Final at Wembley last year, where he bagged the winner late on against Manchester City with a bullet header. It was a fairytale story, but Wigan still were relegated, leaving them in the Championship. Hopefully, I will be able to take them to greater things again.

From a Football Manager point of view, the prospect of the Europa League while playing in the Championship was very promising, as well as the large transfer budget to rebuild the squad my way.


Wigan win FA Cup




Wigan Athletic claimed the first major trophy in their 81-year history when Ben Watson's last-minute goal won the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.

Roberto Martinez led his side to a 1-0 win with a strong, attacking performance against Manchester City, who had Pablo Zabaleta sent off six minutes from time. They fully deserved their win against the pre-match favourites. Substitute Ben Watson, who broke his leg in November and had missed much of the season, sent Wigan’s fans into euphoria when his header from Shaun Maloney’s near post corner looped over keeper Joe Hart and into the far side-netting while the board went up showing the 3 minutes of added time.

The goal was just reward for Wigan, whose drive and intensity was in sharp contrast to the lacklustre display served up by City as last season's Premier League champions who end this campaign empty-handed. It completed a miserable day for manager Roberto Mancini, which began with reports that was about to be sacked and replaced by Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini and ended with a defeat that left City's hierarchy looking on stone-faced from the Royal Box as Wigan celebrated.

And when this final is remembered, the performance of Wigan's Callum McManaman will be recalled alongside Watson's goal after a magnificent, and close to unplayable, display of wing play which gave City defender Gael Clichy a busy afternoon. It was also a moment of sheer joy for Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, who broke his leg playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolves at Wembley. He led the team out, then watched in delight as they lifted the treasured trophy.

Wigan will now have to focus on the Barclays Premier League now, as they prepare to escape relegation to the Championship, meanwhile Manchester City will now focus on retaining second place in the league.
Good start and good luck :)
Nice start, good luck !


Wigan relegated from Premier League




Wigan Athletic have been relegated from the Premier League just days after winning the FA Cup. The team were beaten 4-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a must-win game. Arsenal's victory puts them a step closer to a place in the Champions League. But for Wigan, it's the end of eight seasons in the top flight of English football.

Tired Legs


All the pre-match debate was about how well Wigan could recover from their historic FA Cup win over Manchester City just three days earlier, but manager Roberto Martinez picked the same starting line-up at the Emirates Stadium. It was clear from early on that there were some tired legs on the pitch and Arsenal were keen to take advantage of that, with goals from Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and two from Lukas Podolski.

After the final whistle Martinez stayed upbeat: "We will keep defying the odds, keep moving forward and make sure this football club has an incredibly bright future," he said. But when asked about his future at the club, he answered: "This is not the time for that."

This throws Martinez’s future into turmoil, especially as the rumours that he will leave to join Everton at the end of the season, as he will surely not manage Wigan in the Championship.
Pompey: Cheers mate, hope you enjoy it :)

Bebero: Thanks, hope you enjoy the story as well :)
I'm in a Wigan fan yey! It makes me cry the fact they went down, I love them so much <3 hopefully you can guide them to the prem again!

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