The Future Is Bright.. Blue & White: Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic will kick off next season in the third tier of English football having been relegated last night after Rotherham's 2-1 win over Reading. The same result also confirmed Millwall's relegation, however the relegation comes as no surprise to many Latics fans following Saturday's 1-0 loss to Wolves. That result meant Wigan needed Reading to beat Rotherham and for them to lose at the weekend, ensure they win against Brentford and hope Millwall didn't win too.

In fact Wigan would have been relegated to League One if it wasn't for Rotherham's three point deduction for fielding an illegible player. New manager Gary Caldwell has overseen four games since taking over the reigns from Malky MacKay and has continually drilled in the 'believe' message we've seen over the years at the club. That is what he is planning to do as he looks to help the clubs troubles and help them rise back to 'the promised land.'

Caldwell has very much got the backing of chairman David Sharpe, who took over from his grandfather Dave Whelan last month as he has given the Scot a contract extension till the end of next season, where he hopes to get the club back into the Championship at the first time of asking. "All we want is promotion at the first time of asking, it's very much in our aims to build on that and then you never know, the sky is the limit," says Sharpe.

It's a strange scene for the Latics fans, back in 2013 they had won the FA Cup and on top of the world it seemed, though a week later they were relegated into the Championship. Last season they narrowly lost in the playoff semi finals to Queen's Park Rangers who later earned promotion by beating Derby. Though this season has been a season to forget, first Uwe Rosler tried to continue where he left off, only to leave the club languishing in mid-table, Malky MacKay then came in to fail, leaving the club in danger of relegation and finally in came Caldwell in a last ditch attempt to try and save failed.

Wigan have now released a number of players Marc-Antoine Fortune, Ali Al Habsi, Jermaine Pennant, Emmerson Boyce, Gaetan Bong and Lee Nicholls contracts are all set to expire, though Caldwell is interested in trying to renew Nicholls contract calling him "one for the future." Wigan are indeed favourites to regain promotion to the Championship, followed by play-off losers Swindon Town and Sheffield United.

Really well written! Will be interesting.

That FA Cup loss still haunts me... I do love Emmerson Boyce, shame to see him leave Wigan, some say he still has Gareth Bale in his back pocket.

Gemma - Thanks Gemma, means a lot.

Griffo - Haha, sorry about that Boyce was very much a hero, it was a big shame to see him leave really and I'd agree with that statement haha.

Gary Caldwell has made his first signing as Wigan boss after bringing in Middlesbrough winger Yanic Wildschut on loan until the end of the season. The Dutchman will be looking to make an impact for the Latics after struggling to settle into the 'Boro squad since moving from Heerenveen, despite the masses of potential he has at his disposal. The 23 year old made 11 appearances last season, scoring two goals in that time since completing his £400k move.

After the signing Caldwell said, "I'm delighted to bring in Yanic, he is a top player and he possesses something special. I strongly believe he can really make an influence at this level and hopefully I'm right because he shown why Middlesbrough bought him in Holland and I believe Yanic is quite the coup, if I'm honest, hopefully he can settle into the club and show us what he's made of."

Yanic Wildschut also put on his Twitter earlier today, "Delighted to be joining Wigan on loan until the end of the season. It's a fantastic club and I'm confident I can achieve great things here this season, thanks for all the support from all the fans who have welcomed me already."


Wigan have also renewed the contact of young goalkeeper Lee Nicholls, giving him a new two year deal after he was expected to be released along with the likes of Marc-Antoine Fortune and Emmerson Boyce, who recently joined fellow League One side Blackpool. Nicholls is expected to be loaned out to League Two side Plymouth Argyle however after the club recently accepted an offer, saying they like Nicholls to be playing first team football.