Will Wigan struggle next season?

[Edward Scissorhands]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/4984346.stm

Jewell fury at Chimbonda request

Wigan boss Paul Jewell has revealed defender Pascal Chimbonda handed in a transfer request on his way off the pitch after Sunday's defeat by Arsenal.

"I was shaking the players' hands as they came off to congratulate them on a magnificent season," said Jewell.

"He came up to me, still in his kit, and handed me a transfer request, along with a note to thank me and the club for all our help. I was livid."

Latics chairman Dave Whelan says the 27-year-old can only leave for £6m.

The Frenchman joined Wigan for £500,000 in the summer of 2005 and, after impressing for the promoted side, he signed an improved four-year contract in January.

In recent weeks, he has been linked with a move to Tottenham and Jewell revealed the club had held talks over his future.

"We have had two meetings this week with him to discuss the future and had made it clear we would not stand in his way if the right offer came along," he added.

"So to then be treated this way shows a quite spectacular level of disrespect to myself, the chairman, to all his team-mates and to the Wigan supporters, who have supported him this year.

"I reiterate the player will not go on the cheap. The price is £6m and we will not let him go for less."

Chairman Dave Whelan was also angered by Chimbonda's behaviour.

"The timing of the request was absolutely diabolical," he said.

"I have said to him we will not stand in his way because we cannot afford to have players at this club who do not want to play for us.

"However, the price is £6m, not a penny less. If anybody wants to pay that, they can buy him. If they don't, he can play in the reserves until his contract is over."

However, Chimbonda's agent Willie Mackay insisted he had not been behind the player's actions on Sunday.

"I never got Pascal to do anything. He did it himself," insisted Mackay.

"We will now see what happens. It's up to Dave Whelan. He is the chairman, he holds the contract and he can say what he wants."

Chance of going down?

Now lost Bullard and (possibly) Chimbonda.

 

[Stinkers Bridge]

Yes

 

[tedebear]

Thats disgraceful if thats how it actually happened? What appalling timing, he deserves to play in the reserves if he doesn't get a transfer...

 

[Scotty Mac]

they still have super micheal pollit though

 

[hitony]

Ita funny that someone should start this thread off, as it was only yesterday, i was saying to a mate of mine that i think Wigan will suffer big time next season, i admire Paul Jewell for what hes done and there a good club, i just think they have had a bit of a fortunate season and i dont think next season will be as good for them, i would like to stress im not wishing it upon them, far from it in fact.

 

[Mr Banana]

they still have super micheal pollit though

Eh Scotty...as another of the Rotherham division of the Albion supporters club i should remind you that Polly is a mercenary twat who fled to Chesterfield the minute their dodgy chairman flashed the cash at him...decent keeper but the point remains he's a treacherous bastard

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Think Wigan are in for a rough ride.

Hopefully Aston Villa will be too, and I still don't think Pompey will find it plain sailing, despite Redknapp's stated aims of challenging for Europe.

Sheffield United have an awful lot of improvement to do if they're going to stay up.

Reading I can't quite call yet: they waltzed through this league, but momentum's a big thing, and once the confidence drops from losing a couple of games, it'll be interesting to see how they fare. They have little or no Premiership experience, and I don't think Dave Kitson up front is top league quality. Doyle's unknown, and the wingers and midfielders who scored so many last season won't be chipping in much next time. Plus I think the likes of Murty and Sonko in defence will be found out: you can be rock solid at Championship level, but that alone isn't good enough at the top.

 

[Scotty Mac]

Eh Scotty...as another of the Rotherham division of the Albion supporters club i should remind you that Polly is a mercenary twat who fled to Chesterfield the minute their dodgy chairman flashed the cash at him...decent keeper but the point remains he's a treacherous bastard

i quite like him, he saw the error of his ways and came back

if you want to talk about mercenary twats, then the clear candidate is deon burton. absolute

 

[maidstoneseagull]

It is quite often the second season because teams have worked you out. Plus they have lost Bulllard and Chimbonda won't play for them again. I think the same could happen to West Ham because of being in Europe they could lose focus.

 

[1066gull]

I feel for Wigan. They deserve better than this.

 

[enigma]

Plus I think the likes of Murty and Sonko in defence will be found out: you can be rock solid at Championship level, but that alone isn't good enough at the top.

Sonko is a good defender in my opinion, the main problem with him is his lack of composure on the ball. Defensively I think he is sound. I would have bigger worries than him.

 

[Seagull over SW France]

Sorry but have I completely lost the plot here............who gives a shit how Wigan do next year?
Next thing will be Highbury memorabilia I suppose!!!

 

[RM-Taylor]

I think Wigan will go down next season with Sheffield United, not sure about the who else though

 

[1066gull]

I think Wigan will go down next season with Sheffield United, not sure about the who else though

Fulham, Villa or Reading

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Think Charlton might struggle as well, unless they can pull one out of the hat with their new manager.

 

[bhaexpress]

I think Wigan will go down next season with Sheffield United, not sure about the who else though

Won't be Palarse will it ?

 

[Gully]

I would say that if they can sell him for £5.5m more than they paid for him then it is a good business deal, or maybe I am missing the point of the thread and Chimbonda only signed for Wigan as a chance to get seen in the Premiership, never expecting them to do as well as they did.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I can't see Wigan finishing in the top half next season. Teams have now had a look at them and will know what to expect - remember that their first half of the season was better than their second.

No Bullard and no Chimbonda puts them at a disadvantage. Whelan will have to splash the cash.