Season Review: Wigan Athletic

Last updated : 28 May 2009 By Paul Farrington
How did your season go? Did Wigan finish where you expected them to?
The season went really well for us. We have another season of top flight football to look forward to and an eleventh placed finish certainly adds credibility to our stock.

We were safe long before the end of the season and I think if we had held onto Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey we could have had a shout of Europe. However as a Wigan fan, you have to be pleased with survival in the top flight for a fourth season.

Who was Wigan's player of the year?
Titus Bramble swooped all the awards at the end of season dinner and unsurprisingly as he's played so well and consistently for the season. He is going some distance to shake off his error prone name and Latics supporters have really taken to him.

Antonio Valencia has had another flying season and is isnteresting all the big teams.

Maynor Figueroa is another big plus. He joined for a nominal fee from Deportivo Olimpia in Honduras and has gone on to be an ever present at left back this season.

Who were the best players you saw play against Wigan?
Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashely Young looked superb at our place when Villa tore us to shreds in a 4-0 demolition.

The usual suspects also feature. Steve Gerrard always looks a cut above, whilst Wayne Rooney is unstoppable on his day.

Cristiano Ronaldo never seems to do well against us, although I'm not complaining.

What did you make of Hull City?
We somehow managed a 5-0 win at your place early on in the season despite not really playing well. I think that was a harsh result but us Wiganers weren't complaining.

I think your start to the season emulated our first season in the top flight whereby we had a superb start to the season but struggled after Christmas.

I was pleased to see the Tigers survive as the Premiership will be a much richer place with Hull in it instead of Newcastle.

Where do you need to strengthen this summer?
Without doubt we need to add some fire power to our side. We have just one registered striker in Hugo Rodallega and we need to add at least two proven forwards to that.

A creative midfielder would also be a bonus.

Who'll be on their way out?
It looks like we'll be losing Antonio Valencia to either Manchester United or Real Madrid. Although we would prefer him to stay, the £21 million will be a big comfort.

Henri Camara and Antoine Sibierski are likely to leave on free transfers after their contracts expire this summer.

Wigan's best 11 of the season?
Pollitt
Melchiot Boyce Bramble Figueroa
Valencia Cattermole Palacios N'Zogbia
Heskey Rodallega

Paul Farrington is editor of Wiganer.net