The South American Influence

As we said goodbye to a memorable 2011/12 season on Sunday, I caught up with the BBC’s South American Football expert, the Legendinho, Tim Vickery on Friday evening, and discussed his thoughts on the current South American contingent at the DW Stadium.

Franco Di Santo

In his second full season at the DW Stadium, since arriving from Chelsea back in the summer of 2010, the Argentinean has improved greatly.

Franco Di Santo

Having started out at Audax Italiano in the Chilean Primera Division, he made a real impression, and Tim expressed his disappointment, at his decision to move to Chelsea: “I was disappointed when he joined Chelsea, he’d been playing so well for Audax, scoring goals not only in the league but in the Copa Libertadores. (the continent’s equivalent of the Champions League). It was the wrong move at the wrong time.”

Having bagged 7 times this season including crucial strikes against Arsenal and Newcastle, the number 9 has won the adoration of fans, and is set for a big future at the club.

Tim pointed out that Di Santo will gain confidence from this season and will go from strength to strength: “He’s a versatile striker, who can play anyone along the front line, and we’ve seen over the last few months what he can do, given a run of games.”

With reported interest from Stoke City and considering his ill-advised move to Chelsea, perhaps think twice ahead of any move away from Wigan, as the club will play a huge part in his all round development.

The key for Di Santo is goals, as is the case with any forward, if he can get into double figures for the first time in a Wigan shirt next season, it will go a long way to improving his game and crucially the Latics as a club.

Jean Beausejour

Having been relegated with Birmingham City at the end of last season, his January arrival was met with some scepticism by fans.

Against the odds his arrival sparked a revival in the Latics form, and he has played a huge part in the club winning seven of their last nine games.

Jean Beausejour

Tim talked up the versatility that the Chilean international offers to the Latics: “To any team, he offers so much versatility; he can play in a number of positions even left wing back. His club career has floundered unlike his international form which secured his move to England, following the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, where his side impressed at times.”

His flexibility and work rate allowed for manager Roberto Martinez to implement a complete change of formation, in order to fight against relegation. It was seen as a bold move and a gamble in hindsight, that has certainly paid off, and Tim expressed his delight at the success that Beasuejour has had at the Latics: “I am delighted that he has come off at Wigan, he is sure to play a huge part for the club next season.”

Antolin Alcaraz

The Paraguayan international has formed a reliable and solid partnership with captain Gary Caldwell during the run in.

He has chipped in with goals also from set pieces, with the crucial opener against Stoke City back in March, and his late winner at Blackburn will live long in the memory.

Having played his entire career in Europe notably with Beira Mar in Portugal and Club Brugge of Belgium, he has settled into life in the English top flight quicker than most South American’s.

Antolin Alcaraz

Tim spoke of Alcaraz's ability to lead the backline: “He was unheard of in Paraguay when he won his first cap, since then he has flourished paying at the World Cup and he scored a memorable goal against, the then, World Champions Italy.

He came into the squad to add height, he does perhaps lack the class of a true quality centre half, but he has done very well to settle in, in England and is reliable.”

For Alcaraz he like many at the club will fast forward through the first half the end of season DVD, but will take serious encouragement from his form in the back end of the campaign. 

He is likely to link up with Caldwell once again come August but will expect some serious competition, as the Latics will go out to add defensive cover, in the transfer market. 

Wigan 3-2 Wolves - Boyce Double Rounds Off Memorable Season

A memorable double from club legend Emmerson Boyce ensured the Latics signed off the season in great style, in front a full house on Sunday afternoon.

The result sees Roberto Martinez’s men finish off in 15^th place, after an incredible run, saw them pick up seven wins from their final nine games.

Franco Di Santo & Hugo Rodallega

Already relegated Wolves looked to dampen the party atmosphere when they took the lead through winger Matt Jarvis, whose terrific effort left Ali Al Habsi with no chance, after only nine minutes.

The Latics were not behind for long and soon levelled up, when Argentine striker Franco Di Santo’s deflected left the visiting keeper flat footed. Moments later Boyce’s fine header put the home side ahead, from a Jean Beasejour corner.

Boyce sealed the points late into the second half, with a stunning strike after great link up play with Hugo Rodallega, who is set to leave the club.

Dave Whelan & Ali Al Habsi

Steven Fletcher’s late goal took some of the gloss off the day, after a defensive mix up, again gave Al Habsi no chance.

The game had very much a feel of an end of season affair, but few inside the DW would complain; only eight weeks ago the club looked doomed and set for a return to the football league.

The day was very much about the fans and a full house ensured a great atmosphere and Martinez made only one change. Adrian Lopez was given a rare outing alongside player of the season Gary Caldwell, and despite his late error looked assured.

To have finished five points ahead of Aston Villa, a founding member of the Premier League is an incredible achievement, and shows that Martinez was right to stick with the Latics.

The Players Celebrate 

As always, there is sure to be much change over the course of the summer period, with Rodallega, Chris Kirkland, Steve Gohouri and Mohammed Diame all confirmed as being released.

There is also plenty of interest around other members of the squad as well as the staff, with Aston Villa confirming their interest once again in Martinez this evening.

Regardless of what happens over the next couple of months, the Latics will be taking part in their eighth consecutive season in the top flight and the future is looking very, very good. 

Wigan v Wolves - Preview

The Latics take on relegated Wolves in their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon, in what is sure to be a day of celebration for all involved.

Antolin Alcaraz’s late header on Monday night secured survival for the Latics, for what will now be an eighth consecutive season.

Hugo Rodallega

Their latest escape is perhaps the most remarkable of them all, only eight weeks ago the team were rock bottom, and faced a daunting run in.

They have picked up an incredible 18 points from their last 8 games, which has seen Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal beaten.

As for the visitors thirteen games ago they were five points clear of Roberto Martinez men and were out of the danger zone. Unlike Dave Whelan the board at Wolves hit the panic button and their drop since Mick McCarthy’s sacking has been alarming.

The Latics will be going out into what will be terrific atmosphere on Sunday afternoon, and will be confident that they can secure yet another victory and finish above Aston Villa.

Wigan have won four of their last six games against the visitors, but will be after revenge following their defeat, in the reverse fixture in back in November.

Roberto Martinez & Dave Whelan

Martinez has a near fully fit squad to choose from, with midfielder David Jones the only doubt. Last season’s hero Hugo Rodallega confirmed this week that he will be leaving the club after four seasons, and will be given a chance to say goodbye to the fans on Sunday.

Consistency in selection over recent weeks has been critical in this incredible run, and Martinez is expected to stick with the same XI, who took to the field at Ewood Park on Monday.

Going forward Captain Gary Caldwell has called for the club to never be in a similar position again, and become a major force in the league.

If they are to do this a lot will depend on how the club act in the market, currently there are a number of players that are catching the eye of other teams.

Martinez needs to be ruthless and clear out the deadwood in the squad, and build up genuine strength in depth.

Anyway these are matters that can be dealt with during the summer and Sunday’s game will be all about celebration.

A few weeks ago not many would have imagined that nothing would be riding on this game.

This side has demonstrated over recent weeks, that if you stick to your principles and play football you can achieve.

Importantly this a chance for the fans to celebrate and thank the players,  fans and players alike have shown in this run in that there is no such thing as a lost cause, enjoy!

Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Wigan – Late Goal Secures Survival

Antolin Alcaraz’s late winner ensured that the Latics pulled of the greatest of all great escapes’ with one game remaining on Monday evening, and in the process relegated Blackburn Rovers to the Championship.

Alcaraz rose ahead of Captain Gary Caldwell to meet Jean Beausejour late corner, and sent the travelling Latics into delirium.

Antolin Alcaraz

It was an incredible sixth win from their last eight games, and now leaves the club 5 points clear of the drop, and means the fans can enjoy the final game of the season on Sunday afternoon.

Considering the magnitude of the task the club faced, in order to ensure an eighth season at the top table, this escape will go down in the club's history as the greatest of them all.

The majority of the hard work was done in earlier games of the run in, with memorable victories against Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Tonight’s performance typified the fighting spirit when many would have held firm and took a share of the points, late on they went in search of the winner.

Within the closing stages the just reward came for the faith shown in Martinez from the owner Dave Whelan, who will undoubtedly be delighted with his club's latest achievement.  

Speaking to the press following the game Captain Caldwell praised his manager: “Credit goes to him (Martinez), when everyone doubted us he held firm. He stuck to his principles and continued to play football and now we have reaped the rewards.”

The talismanic skipper was keen to stress the point that the club now needs to build on this: "We do not want to be in this position next season, we've proven that we can more than survive at this level, we have to build on this and bring success to the fans." 

Gary Caldwell 

For the vast majority of the game the home side looked resigned to their fate, and Martinez’s men put in a professional performance and took advantage of the sour atmosphere within the ground.

The Latics had the better of the first half with Victor Moses causing havoc amongst the Rovers backline. Jean Beausejour was given plenty of freedom from the home side but the Latics were not able to add the killer touch.

Arguably the highlight of the half will have been Ali Al Habsi’s intervention when a chicken donning a Rovers flag made his way onto the pitch, the only time Al Habsi was called into action. The home side were unable to create pressure and carve out any genuine chances with the inform Junior Hoilett and top scorer Yakubu being kept quiet.

Martinez will have been disappointed at how his side did not press home the advantage just as they did in the clash with Newcastle last week.

As the rain continued to pour down into the second half the home side finally decided to go for it a little more.

Beausejour was on hand early into the second period when he cleared Yakubu’s goal bound attempt after a great knock down from Scott Dann.

The Latics responded and Moses should have done better when he flashed over following Franco Di Santo’s cushioned header.

The home side had a great shout for a penalty on the hour mark, when it seemed as though Emmerson Boyce took away Hoilett’s standing leg when he was about to pull the trigger.

  

With only ten minutes left to play Moses and James McCarthy were unable to beat Paul Robinson after some great link up play leaving the Rovers backline on the back foot.  

Jean Beausejour

As the home fans turned on the owners and their manager instead of pushing the team on for the winner that they required the Latics pressed for the points. 

Scottish international Maloney should have sealed up the three points when he headed over from Boyce’s pin point cross, moments later Moses low cross was just too quick for substitute Conor Sammon.

From the resulting corner Paraguayan international Alcaraz headed the winner home past the despairing Robinson.

The result now means that the Latics will take to the field in August in what will be their eight consecutive season amongst the elite. An incredible feat that looked highly unlikely following their dismal home defeat to Swansea only two months ago.

This escape will go down in the history of the club as the greatest, when most had written them off, Martinez stuck with philosophy, the board held firm, and kept faith in their man and boy has it paid off, as the 3000 strong fans chanted all night: “We shall not be moved.” 

Blackburn v Wigan - Preview

The Latics head into their penultimate game of the campaign knowing a win will guarantee their safety, and in the process send rivals Blackburn Rovers down.

Following last weekend's emphatic victory against in form Newcastle, Roberto Martinez and his men will be very confident of securing their first ever victory at Ewood Park.

Victor Moses 

The Spaniard has a fully fit squad to choose from but is likely to stick with the same XI that saw them put their fate firmly in their grasp. Franco Di Santo is set to lead the line with Shaun Maloney and Victor Moses supporting.

James McCarthy is set to play despite announcing today, the terrible news that his father is fighting a cancer battle, which has seen him pull out of the Irish Euro 2012 squad.

Having lost on their last five visits to their near rivals, the Latics will be keen to ensure that their battle to avoid the drop, does not come down to their home clash with Wolves on Sunday.

The clash at the DW back in November, proved to be one to remember in a 3-3 classic, with Yakubu controversially scoring a penalty deep into added on time. 

Despite their agonising last gasp defeat at Fulham the Latics have confidence on the road picking up more wins than they have at home throughout the season.

A run of five wins from their last seven outings have sparked a remarkable turn around in form for the club and they know a point will virtually guarantee survival. They have the additional cushion of a greater goal difference than Bolton, who currently occupy the final spot in the bottom three.

Blackburn need a miracle if they are to avoid the drop, even 6 points from their final two games is unlikely to see them escape, with results elsewhere having to go their way in order to do so, plus a drastic change in the goal difference will also be required.

James McCarthy 

As for the Latics they know that a point from their final two clashes will ensure safety and they will go all out on the final Monday night clash of the season to set up a party atmosphere for Sunday’s final day clash.

With a reported 3000 Latics set to make the short trip to Ewood Park, they will be in full voice, as Martinez's men look to end another poor record as they have done at Anfield and the Emirates in recent weeks.