Latics v Manchester City - Premier League Preview

The Latics welcome the Champions Manchester City to the DW Stadium in Wednesday night’s televised game, as they go in search of back to back home wins for the first time this season.

Roberto Martinez must deal with an injury crisis as he prepares to do battle against Roberto Mancini’s unbeaten team. Shaun Maloney and captain Gary Caldwell face late fitness tests ahead of the game, with stand in skipper Ivan Ramis also struggling with a hamstring injury which forced him during their last gasp win against Reading.

Jordi Gomez

Better news for Martinez is that he is likely to be able to call upon James McArthur and Franco Di Santo, who both featured off the bench on Saturday. Midfielders Albert Crusat and Ben Watson miss out, while winger Ryo Miyaichi and defender Antolin Alcaraz remain on the sidelines.

The Latics will be keen to avenge last season’s 1-0 defeat at home to City and will also look to bring an end to a run of five consecutive defeats against the blue half of Manchester.

Martinez will be looking for his side to build on the comeback win at the weekend and will once again look towards hat-trick hero Jordi Gomez to inspire and create. The gifted Spaniard has been the victim of continual abuse from certain sections of the DW crowd, but his display against the Royals will have gone a long way to silence the critics.

Vincent Kompany

As for the visitors despite still being unbeaten Mancini will not be happy with his side, knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage for the second consecutive season, many believe nothing but a second title will ensure he holds onto his job.

French international Gael Clichy remains on the injury list having missed the last two matches with an ankle problem. Captain Vincent Kompany felt no ill effects after his 90-minute performance against Chelsea on Sunday.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell is making progress but not ready to feature, while right-back Micah Richards remains out.

Joleon Lescott is fit again after injury, but the England international is not expecting to replace Matija Nastasic in the starting XI.

Despite the difficulty of the task ahead of the Latics they will be confident of once again upsetting the odds, and will only need to look back to when they beat the then current Champions Manchester United at the DW Stadium.

Home form needs to be more consistent if they are to avoid another battle to avoid the drop, and a third win of the season in front of their own fans would be very welcome.

Liverpool v Latics - Premier League Preview

The Latics prepare ahead of trip to Anfield on Saturday afternoon, as they look to continue their impressive recent record against the five time European Champions.

Roberto Martinez’s men will have fond memories of their last trip to Anfield, when they left with all three points which sparked the great escape of last season, into life. Despite a number of changes at Anfield since March, the Latics will be confident of continuing Liverpool’s awful home record in 2012.

Gary Caldwell

Having spoken in the week about his vision of a top ten spot, Martinez will be keen to ensure his side pick up and recover from last weekend’s defeat against West Brom. Having also turned down the opportunity to take the Anfield hot seat he will be keen to show Liverpool and their fans, what his side can really do.  

Liverpool are currently on an unbeaten run of six league matches, but the frustration continues as they have only secured two wins during this run. Luis Suarez has been at the heart of pretty much everything that has been good for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season and poses the main threat.

Martinez has had good news on the injury front ahead of the short trip to Merseyside, with on loan Japanese Ryo Miyachi star likely to return to the match day squad after missing the last month’s action. The influential James McArthur will be given right up kick off to prove his fitness, as the Scottish international recovers from a dead leg.

Franco Di Santo & Lionel Messi

Long term absentee Antolin Alcaraz will miss out once again, with the Paraguayan international Alcaraz making steady progress during his long term rehabilitation.

The Latics look set to stick with roughly the same XI that started last week, with James McArthur possibly replacing last week’s man of the match Ben Watson.  Martinez will also have newly capped Argentine international Franco Di Santo to call upon as he returned from his duty unhurt if as did Oman international keeper Ali Al Habsi.

A similar performance to the one they predicted at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago is exactly what is required on Saturday afternoon. A disciplined performance through tout the spine will frustrate Liverpool and will ensure that the crowd get on their back and will allow for the Latics to be just as expressive on the ball as they were in March.

Consistency is key if the Latics are to indeed kick on and make the push for a top half finish, a run of unbeaten games is needed if they are to avoid the usual mid winter despair.

Latics v Tottenham - Premier League Preview

The Latics are aiming to bounce back from their midweek cup exit at the hands of Bradford City, as they go in search of back to back league wins for the first time this season, against in a form Tottenham at White Heart Lane.

Roberto Martinez opted to make nine changes to his starting XI on Tuesday evening, and is likely to call upon the same side that secured their first home league win of the campaign against West Ham last weekend.

Franco Di Santo

Long term absentees Albert Crusat and Antolin Alcaraz are still unavailable while Ryo Miyaichi is still struggling with injury following his return from international duty with Japan.

The Spaniard will be looking towards striker Franco Di Santo to the line, who was rewarded for his fine recent form with his first senior international call up for Argentina, for their friendly with Saudi Arabia this month.

Despite also being knocked out of the Capital One Cup in midweek, Spurs head into the game in great form and currently find themselves in fourth spot. The Latics will have to ensure that the influential Gareth Bale is kept quiet, as he netted three times against them last season.

Three seasons ago the Latics suffered a humiliating 9-1 defeat at White Hart Lane, but followed that up with a 1-0 win of their own, the following season.

Gareth Bale

Having been able to pull off a number of great escapes in previous seasons, this campaign has been seen by Martinez as a significant one, where he is keen for his side to be genuinely considered as an established Premier League side.

In order to achieve this, a level of consistency must me maintained, as Martinez explained to the media on Friday afternoon: “Now is the time to bring consistency in performances and results which is where our focus is right now.”

“We know it’s going to be a tough game for us but our aim is to carry on the good football shown against West Ham United last weekend, taking that level of performance to White Hart Lane to be as good as we can be.

“There are lessons to take from our last two away games against Sunderland and Swansea City, aspects of our game that need to improve if we are to get a positive result on the road.”

In what is already shaping up to be a tough November, with Liverpool, West Brom, Reading and the Champions Manchester City to come. Martinez and his team know that the next month will determine their season and they will be looking to pick up something on the road and will of course have fond memories of their last trip to North London when they beat Spurs’ rivals Arsenal.

Latics v Bradford City - Captial One Cup Fourth Round Preview

Roberto Martinez is set to use Tuesday night’s cup tie as an opportunity to give his fringe players some valuable game time, as he sets sights on a place in the last eight of the competition.

League Two’s Bradford City are the opposition on what will be the first game under the floodlights of the DW stadium this season and they will be confident of causing an upset.


Mauro Boselli


The Latics are set to be without on loan Arsenal midfield Ryo Miyaichi who also missed the weekend’s victory against West Ham, the Japan international has been sidelined with a troubling groin injury for a few weeks now.

Definitely out are Antolin Alcaraz and Albert Crusat, with manager Martinez unable to provide an expected return date for both just yet.

The Latics will be without Scottish international midfielder James McArthur who picked up his fifth booking of the season late on during Saturday’s defeat of West Ham, with David Jones, Ben Watson and Jordi Gomez all battling for a start in his place.

Record signing Mauro Boselli is set to start and will be keen to impress once again, having netted three times in his two previous cup outings. Youngster Callum McMannaman is also set to feature after a number of promising substitute appearances this season.

The tie provides the Latics with a great opportunity to progress into the last eight of a major trophy and will have many dreaming of a cup run reminiscent of the 2005/06 season.

Jordi Gomez

Bradford City arrive in decent form, having exceeded pre season expectations to date, but manager Phil Parkinson is set to be without a number of key players. City midfielder Ricky Ravenhill will serve the first of his three-game ban after being dismissed for violent conduct in the 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion at the weekend, while Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver are also almost certain to miss out as well after picking up injuries at the Pirelli Stadium.

Gary Jones may not feature on Tuesday evening either after Parkinson acknowledged that the midfielder might not be ready for two games in four days, following his return to first team action, and Craig Forsyth will definitely miss out as the winger is cup-tied after already playing in the competition for Watford.

Martinez will be keen to see his side progress and crucially ensure that they can gather some real momentum, and move away from the danger zone in the league.

As with the earlier rounds, he will also want to see that the same hunger and desire from his fringe players, as he will be look to freshen up his first XI over the course of the winter period.

Nottingham Forest 1-4 Wigan – Latics Show Class to Progress

The Latics resisted a second half comeback from Nottingham Forest, to ease into the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Roberto Martinez’s men headed into the clash keen to avoid yet another upset, and despite deciding to field a number of fringe players, his side outclassed their Championship counterparts.

Argentinean international Mauro Boselli opened the scoring when he got on the end of a pin point delivery from Ronnie Stam.

The goal seemed to relax the Latics and they soon doubled the lead with a stunning 30 yard strike from Maynor Figueroa which stunned the Forest faithful into applause. The impressive Jordi Gomez got in on the act with a sublime right foot effort before the break, and ensured the Latics headed into the break with a three goal cushion.

Within seconds of the second half commencing Forest struck back with a wonder goal of their own, from Simon Cox which left Ali Al Habsi with no chance. 

Despite the dismissal of captain on the night Antolin Alcaraz, the Latics held firm and Callum McManaman wrapped up victory, after great link up play with debutant Ryo Miyaichi.

Having made several changes from Saturday’s victory against Southampton, Martinez will have been delighted with a performance that showed plenty of promise. With all of his first team strikers now having registered within the first three games the now faces a pleasant selection headache ahead of the Stoke clash.

At times Mauro Boselli’s movement was second to none, and despite not having the little bit of luck required early on, he made himself available to comfortably net his first goal of the season.

There is no doubt that anywhere around the box the Argentine is deadly and with so much midfield creativity now on hand, he could well make his second chance at the DW stadium count. 

For the first time in a long while the Latics can look forward to the third round draw, and will now prepare for the visit of Stoke City on Saturday. Martinez and co will be very confident of securing their first home victory of the new season at the second time of asking.

Latics Ready To Continue Their Stay

As the Latics prepare for their eighth consecutive season amongst the elite, following a summer of uncertainty, fans will be delighted  with the business done in the market and crucially holding onto manager Roberto Martinez.

The immediate post season was an anxious affair, at one point it looked almost certain that Martinez would be on his way out. Two of the biggest names in England came calling, first of all Aston Villa, as they did twelve months earlier, asked the question, but were quickly rebuffed by Dave Whelan.

Roberto Martinez

That was just the start five times European Champions Liverpool were next to show an interest. It seemed almost certain that he would be making the short move to Merseyside but in came Whelan. For a week or so we were all treated to the ‘Dave Whelan’ show, with minute by minute updates of his manager’s movements, and for good measure he threw in the odd one liner.  For me Whelan, is free to say what he likes about his club, he took us to the promise land and we are preparing for an eighth season upsetting the establishment. 

Liverpool eventually decided to go with their ‘first’ choice Brendan Rodgers, who let’s not forget really did just pick up where Martinez left from his time at Swansea.

Let’s not forget at one stage it looked as if a deal bringing Martinez’s right hand man, Graeme Jones, to South Wales to join Swansea was going to happen, thankfully all non playing staff remain at the DW.

This season the Latics must build on the back of the last campaign. Unfortunately they aren’t able to throw money around, but have invested wisely.

Ivan Ramis

The arrival of Fraser Fyvie will bolster the midfield and the young Scot will be confident of emulating James McArthur and James McCarthy, in becoming a fixture in the starting XI.

Several players have left on free transfers, including Chris Kirkland. Former regulars Mohamed Diame and Hugo Rodellega left to pursue careers in the capital, after not playing a part in the great escape.

Ivan Ramis will provide some much needed competition to the backline, and his signing will have delighted fans, after it was revealed the former Real Mallorca man had rejected West Ham to join the Latics.

With the ongoing saga over the future of Victor Moses likely to run until the end of the transfer window, Martinez acted in securing the loan deal for Ryo Miyaichi from Arsenal.

The Japanese international is one of the hottest prospects to have ever come out of Asia, and will be given the chance to play regular games this season.

Arouna Kone 

The most recent arrival caught many off guard, Ivorian international striker Arouna Kone joined in midweek on a three year deal. Having played in Holland and Spain the former Levante man will be expected to lead the line, he netted on 15 occasions last season and a similar return for the Latics will guide them away from trouble.

If the Latics can get off to a bright start this season could well see Martinez build on the momentum his side gained at the back end of last season. A tough run over the festive period awaits, consistent form across the whole of the season will be required in order to avoid the usual late dash for survival. Latics fans would love to see a mid table finish and perhaps a cup run. 

Latics Land Japanese Star

The Latics have completed the season long loan signing of Japanese international Ryo Miyaichi, from Arsenal on Monday evening.

The signing is a real coup for the Latics as they have beaten off a whole host of rivals to the signature who looks set to play an integral part in manager Roberto Martinez’s side, this season.

He becomes the first ever Japanese player the club has ever had, and becomes the third addition to Martinez’s squad.  

Ryo Miyaichi

This will be Miyachi’s third loan spell away from parent club Arsenal since he joined them back in January 2011. He followed a spell with Feyenoord in Holland with a 6 month stint with Latics rivals Bolton at the back end of last season.

He went on to make 12 appearances for Bolton and netted in the FA Cup win at Millwall, but was unable to help in the fight against relegation.

To date his chances in the Arsenal first team have been limited to only League Cup ties, but he comes to the DW with a growing reputation as one of the hottest prospects to have come of Asian football.

He recently made his full international debut in May, when he appeared as a substitute against Azerbaijan, having made a number of squads prior. He has represented Japan across various age levels and exposure to first team football in the Premier League, will ensure that he becomes a feature of his national side.

Many believe long serving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, was keen to see Miyaichi move to a club that plays a flowing passing style of football.

With the impending transfer of Victor Moses to Chelsea, Miyaichi is seen as the perfect short team solution as the market currently doesn’t represent true value for money.

Having come through a full pre season with Arsenal, he is certain to be involved in the curtain raiser to the Latics eighth season amongst the elite.

Latics Prepare For Life After Moses

Victor Moses’ has moved a step closer to a move to European Champions Chelsea, following advanced talks between the two clubs. 

This evening the BBC have reported that owner, Dave Whelan met with officials from the London club on Wednesday, to finally bring an end to the saga. 

It is understood that Chelsea must match the valuation put in place by Whelan, which it is believed to be in the region of £8.5 million, and Moses has been informed that he will remain at the club if a deal is not struck.

Victor Moses 

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is believed to be a big admirer of the Nigerian international, and is keen to include him in his squad ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City. Ironically in the first game of the new Premier League season, Moses is likely to make his competitive debut against his former employers as they visit the DW on the opening weekend. 

Latics boss Roberto Martinez will be keen to secure the services of a replacement for Moses. Arsenal’s Japanese international Ryo Miyaichi, is believed to be on radar along with the view of a loan deal. On the permanent side of things Stoke City’s Jermaine Pennant and Blackpool’s Matt Phillips are being monitored.

Ryo Miyaichi 

We will wait and see if another striker is brought in to bolster the front line, with Argentinean pair Franco Di Santo and Mauro Boselli expected to lead the line.

It is crucial that the Latics move quickly in the market in order to ensure that they have players in place ahead of the start of the season, with just over a week until kick off, the countdown is well and truly on.

Ramis Signs Up

The Latics have beaten rivals West Ham to the signing of Spanish centre, Ivan Ramis, for a fee to believed to be around £4.5 million.

It was announced last weekend that Real Mallorca has agreed a fee with the Hammers for the 27 year old, but following a week of discussions, he has decided to join up with fellow Spaniard Roberto Martinez.

Ivan Ramis 

Ramis arrives at the DW stadium on a three year deal, and will provide the Latics with much needed experience at the heart of the defence. He becomes Martinez second signing of the summer following the arrival of Fraser Fyvie, and could well make his debut in the pre season clash with his former club, Real Mallorca on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere the Latics will be keen to see a conclusion to the long running Victor Moses saga. Chelsea are believed to be preparing one final bid for the Nigerian international, unless it meets the club’s valuation, Moses will remain at the DW.

Ryo Miyaichi

A move to Stamford Bridge for Moses, could well signal the arrival, of Belgian international Roman Lukaku on loan. Arsenal’s Japanese international Ryo Miyaichi has been linked with a season long move, although a loan move for Wales captain Aaron Ramsey seems unlikely. Finally Martinez has ruled out a move for free agent and former Latic Emile Heskey.