Wigan Athletic F.C. season 2008-09

This article chronicles the 2008/2009 Premier League season for Wigan Athletic.

July/August 2008

The Wigan club began their fourth season in the English Premier League for the first time with Steve Bruce as the manager of the club. The off season saw the club sign a number of players which included Middlesbrough's highly rated young midfielder Lee Cattermole, Birmingham City pair Daniël de Ridder & Olivier Kapo (Both players had previously played under Bruce when manager at Birmingham) and little known Egyptian striker Amr Zaki who was ranked as the #1 striker according to FIFA rankings [ [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11682_3851650,00.html Amr Zaki seals Wigan switch] ] .

The club saw no forced sales during the transfer window, with players like Emile Heskey, Paul Scharner, Luis Antonio Valencia & Wilson Palacios decided to commit their futures to the club rather than move away. The club did however allow Julius Aghahowa, Salomon Olembe, Josip Skoko, Andreas Granqvist, Marlon King & Marcus Bent to leave the club.

During the off-season the Latics played in seven friendlies (all away from home} to prepare for the new Premier League season. The first game was on Saturday, 19 July away to FC St. Veit which Wigan won comfortably 3-0. The next game was played on Tuesday, 22nd July against Bundesliga opposition Eintracht Frankfurt from which the Latics were defeated 2-0. A further away game in Germany was played on Friday, 25 July against another Bundesliga club Hannover which finished 2-2.

Wigan's first friendly played on English soil was held on the 29 July at Barnsley which saw the Latics give a debut to new midfield signing Lee Cattermole. The Wigan club smashed the Yorkshire outfit 6-0 with goals from Marlon King, Emile Heskey, Luis Antonio Valencia, Michael Brown and a brace for new boy Daniel De Ridder. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3010217,00.html Wigan Hit Tykes For Six] ] . Wigan made the short trip to Sheffield on 2 August to play Championship club Sheffield Wednesday defeating them 3-2. Wigan later travelled to Scotland to face SPL side Hibernian on 5 August, winning 1-0 before finishing off their pre-season with an impressive victory over Dutch side Utrecht 1-0.

Wigan's first Premiership game was away to West Ham United on the 16 August with the home side victorious thanks to a Dean Ashton brace of goals. Wigan finished the game the better side according to reports and had the better possession and territory overall for the whole game but could only muster one goal, from debutant Amir Zaki, losing 2-1. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3002946,00.html Deano double for Hammers] ]

On 24 August Wigan played their first game at the JJB Stadium against last season's Premier League runner's up Chelsea. The game began badly for Wigan who, already without first choice goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, gave away a free kick after just 4 minutes of play just outside the box which was scored by Chelsea's Deco. Despite going down early the Latics rallied and performed valiantly against one of the superior Premier League sides and pressed for an equalising goal which in the end was in vain and Chelsea ran out 1-0 victors. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3023066,00.html Deco fires Blues top] ]

On 26 August Wigan played against Notts County at the JJB Stadium in the second round of the Carling Cup which led to a comprehensive 4-0 victory for the hosts. Many of Wigan's fringe players, including striker Henri Camara shone in this one-sided affair with goals coming from Camara (2), Zaki & Tomasz Kupisz. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3046864,00.html Wigan ease through] ]

On 30 August Wigan played away to Premiership newcomers Hull City in a Premier League game that, if Hull won, would lead them to the top of the table. Wigan however where not to be thwarted three times in a row and thrashed Hull 5-0, the clubs biggest victory in the Premiership. Hull began woefully with poor defending leading to an own goal by Sam Ricketts from a Kevin Kilbane corner within 5 minutes. Luis Antonio Valencia added a second on the counter attack and despite some decent resolve from Hull they where finished after an Amir Zaki strike just after the hour mark made sure of the result. Later goals were added by Zaki and Emile Heskey. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3003076,00.html Five-Star Wigan Maul Tigers] ]

eptember 2008

Wigan's next home fixture was played on 13 September against Sunderland, a fixture which had caused controversy within the town due to the decision to move a Rugby League fixture the previous day by owner Dave Whelan to allow the pitch to be in good condition for the game against Sunderland, a move which angered many Wigan Warriors fans. The game itself started well for Sunderland who dominated the game and eventually led to Sunderland's opening goal, scored by Wigan defender Titus Bramble as the defender tried to clear the resulting corner and headed into his own goal. Wigan finished the half the better side and came out after half time much the same but struggled to find the equaliser. The game became a more even affair nearer the end of the second half, with both side posting good chances. It was Wigan who would break Sunderland's resistance however with another goal from Amr Zaki equalising matters for Wigan before Lee Cattermole was given a red card in the final minutes of the game. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3003171,00.html Wigan fight back to earn draw] ]

On 16 September Wigan announced the signing for former Birmingham & Ghanian international goalkeeper Richard Kingston, released after the 2007/2008 season from Birmingham, on a three-year contract after a successful trail period. [ [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11682_4154554,00.html Latics Seal Kingston Deal] ]

On 21 September Wigan travelled to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur. The last time Wigan faced Tottenham they were heavily defeated 4-0 but performed much better against a struggling Tottenham side who before the game were rooted to the bottom of the Premiership. Wigan had a few decent chances within the game but struggled to dominate the game for large periods with only Tottenham's toothless attacking plays keeping Wigan in the game. A controversial penalty appeal was also dismissed after Maynor Figueroa tripped Spurs midfielder Aaron Lennon in the box only to have his appeals dismissed by referee Steve Tanner. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3023082,00.html Latics in Spurs Stalemate] ]

On 28 September Wigan face Manchester City at the JJB Stadium. Goals from Antonio Valencia from long distance, and Amr Zaki after a penalty gave Wigan there 2-1. The lone goal score for Manchester City was scored by Vincent Kompany.

2008 Squad

:"As of 1 September 2008."cite news
title = 1st Team
url = http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10429,00.html
publisher = Wigan Athletic FC
accessdate = 2007-09-03]

Current squad

Out on loan

2008 Fixtures

Fixtures/Results

Current League Table

League table

References

External links

* [http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk Official website]
*dmoz|Sports/Soccer/UEFA/England/Clubs/W/Wigan_Athletic/|Wigan Athletic