When Steve Bruce resigned as Wigan manager after the 2008/09 season, chairman Dave Whelan identified then Swansea manager Roberto Martinez as the man to replace Bruce. At the time, it seemed like a shrewd choice. Just 35, Martinez had already enjoyed success in his time as Swansea manager, guiding the club into the Championship after winning League One in 2008, and taking the club to 8th in their first season in the division.
Installed as Wigan manager in June of 2009, Martinez took over at a club which had finished 11th the previous year, their fourth successive season in the Premier League. The summer was a difficult one for Wigan, as key players Antonio Valencia joined Manchester United, and Lee Cattermole followed Steve Bruce to Sunderland. With limited funds available for new players, Martinez made six new signings, including striker Jason Scotland from Swansea, and highly-rated Hamilton youngster James McCarthy.
Wigan opened the season with a 2-0 against Aston Villa at Villa Park, but lost four of their next five league games before defeating Chelsea 3-1 at the DW Stadium. Martinez had gained a reputation for playing attacking football, but as the season progressed, it was clear that Wigan’s defence was a major problem. Having already lost by four or more goals three times, Wigan suffered a humiliating 9-1 defeat at White Hart Lane, as Tottenham Hotspur hammered eight goals (including five for Jermaine Defoe) past Chris Kirkland in the second half.
Their poor form continued all season, and included a shock defeat to Notts County in the FA Cup. As the season drew to a close, Wigan effectively saved themselves from relegation with a stunning 3-2 victory at home to Arsenal. Two goals either side of half-time had given Arsenal a 2-0 lead, but three goals in the final ten minutes gave Wigan an unlikely win. They finished the season in 16th, 6 points clear of the relegation zone. Remarkably, they had a poorer goal difference than any of the three relegated teams, and had conceded 79 goals, the second worst record in the league.
By Premier League standards, Martinez again had limited funds to spend before the 2010/11 season. James McArthur, another Hamilton youngster joined, as did Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo. On the opening day of the season, Wigan were stunned as newly-promoted Blackpool won 4-0 at the DW, and the following week Chelsea won 6-0.
After a convincing League Cup win over Hartlepool, Wigan atoned for their White Hart Lane humiliation by defeating Spurs 1-0. It would prove to be another difficult season for the club, as they won just 9 league games, against finishing 16th, this time just three points from safety. Premier League survival was assured with wins over West Ham and Stoke in the final two games.
This summer, Wigan had to fight off the advances of Aston Villa to keep Martinez, before handing him a new three year deal. Wigan did however lose key player Charles N’Zogbia to Villa, while Martinez brought five new players to the club, including Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, and Celtic’s Shaun Maloney.
But the club has made another poor start to the 2011/12 campaign. After 9 games they are bottom of the league with just five points, and having scored only six goals. Since beating QPR at home on August 27th, the club have lost six league games in a row, and have also been knocked out of the Carling Cup by Crystal Palace.
If their poor form continues, questions will begin to rise about Roberto Martinez’s future as Wigan manager. Having twice barely escaped relegation, there seems to be a real risk of the club losing touch with the teams above them, and spending a large chunk of the season in the relegation zone.
Although they have spent relatively little money on players in the last few seasons, relegation would almost certainly force the sale of key players, and the club’s poor attendance record could suffer even more if the team get isolated at the bottom of the league. Dave Whelan has in the past claimed that Martinez is one of the best young managers in Europe, but if Wigan’s poor form continues, will he be able to stand by his man, or will change be forced upon him?
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Short answer, no. He’s not pulling up any trees but we will always be a bottom half side. Changing him now would be more damaging than any other option especially considering the work Martinez has implemented in completely changing the club behind the scenes. He is developing youths, we have two or three young lads who might make the step up in the coming seasons – more than at any other time in the last ten or fifteen years.
The behind the scenes work might help the club in the long-term, but in the short-term relegation is a real possibility, and Wigan are the type of club that could suffer badly financially if they were relegated.
Wigan’s defensive problems are still evident. Al Habsi is a decent goalkeeper, but he’s probably the hardest working keeper in the PL as the defence regularly lets him down.
Mr.Dougan has got it right. Martinez is out of his depth,playing players in their wrong positions.He stubbornly plays players who should not be in the Prem.signs players and will not select them for months.His passing game is not for Wigan.we have a brilliant defence,who are hopeless under this Manager.and I think Dave Whelan has lost interest in Wigan Ath.
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no, he should stay. wigan will struggle to find as good a manager who can work on a shoe string budget.