Going Down?: Wigan Athletic

Last updated : 26 March 2010 By Paul Farrington

What were your expectations at the start of the season? Have they been matched?
We're always happy to remain a Premier league club as essentially we are punching above our weight. We've had such a phoenominal rise through the leagues we're still in dream land.

What with the change of manager over the summer we could have as easily finished in a European spot as we could rock bottom of the league.

Has the manager done a good enough job?
Roberto Martinez has his principles and knows how he wants to play his football. We're very much in a transitional period as we move from the results driven football of prior regimes towards the more aesthetic football adopted by Martinez. It's taking time but the signs are certainly there that long term Roberto Martinez is the best man for Wigan Athletic Football Club.

Predictions

Remaining fixtures:

Man City (A)
L

I think the key games are the visits of both Portsmouth and Hull to the DW Stadium. If we can pick up six points from those two then we are home and dry.

I am sorry to say it but I can't see Iain Dowie keeping the Tigers up and Burnley are going to fizzle out without a fight.

Fulham (A)
D
Portsmouth (H)
W
Arsenal (H)
L
West Ham (A)
D
Hull City (H)
W
Chelsea (A)
L
Points: 39

Will you stay up? What position?
Yes, I think we will finish 16th position, just above Wolves and West Ham. Pretty much as the table is now.

The bottom 3:
18. Hull City
19. Burnley
20. Portsmouth

Paul Farrington is editor of Wiganer.net