Roberto Martinez has revealed his plans for the future in interviews in the Independent (Friday) and the Times (Saturday). He thinks that he must keep ahead of other teams tactically, which is why he introduced 3-4-3. If this becomes the norm, he will have to develop his formation again.
In summer 2011, Dave Whelan persuaded Martinez to stay by putting in place plans for better training facilities, investing some of the proceeds from the sale of Charles N'Zogbia. Whelan did the same this year, with plans for improvements costing £2m at Christopher Park, including a full-sized indoor pitch. These will be open in twelve months time.
Martinez wants to leave a legacy at Wigan. Wigan are now playing their eighth season in the Premier League and have certainly made progress. They went four seasons before getting a league victory over a 'top four' team. Liverpool - their opponents today - won seven of their first nine games against Wigan. But Wigan haven't lost any of the last five. They will be trying to maintain the run.
The future at Wigan
posted on 22/11/12
Roberto Di Matteo, as caretaker manager, took an indifferent Chelsea team to an unlikey victory in the Champions League Final.
Now he has seen an expensively re-inforced team eliminated in the group games - the first time that the holders have gone out at this early stage.
Chelsea are reported to want Pep Guardiola as their manager in the long term. They have also been impressed by Jurgen Klepp at Borussia Dortmund, Joachim Low of the German national team and Roberto Martinez here at Wigan.
Fortunately, they wanted a new manager in place for Sunday's game against Manchester City. So they have plumped for Rafael Benitez to take them to the end of the season.
Since Chelsea are unlikely to win every game and every competition this season, he too is unlikely to meet their high standards.
One day, Martinez will accept a post at a bigger club. He has already turned down Aston Villa and Liverpool. Let's hope that his legacy is in place before he goes.
posted on 23/11/12
And another round of managerial musical chairs sees Harry Redknapp replace Mark Hughes.
Wigan will want to stay ahead of QPR. After 12 games they are 7 points in front. I think that Redknapp has a difficult task ahead.