So, last night we put the final nail into the Wigan Athletic coffin (Ramsey scored their PL stint died).
Cheers of Saturday turned into tears last night, and a creditable 8 year stay at the top level was ended.
It wasn't our fault they went down, a poor start to the season, a poor middle and a poor end is why they join QPR and Reading. Just be thankful they turned up against Spurs, giving them just 1 point this season!
Ultimately some may suggest their cup run to glory was the key to them not being able to pull off another escape.
The long term effects of winning the FA Cup could be even greater.
Next season they face a minimum of 7 extra games, in what is already a hectic Championship campaign.
The first "inconvience" will be a week after they start their bid for instant return. The Championship starts on 3rd August. They will, however, not be able to play their 2nd league game as they have the Community Shield. What is normally a season appetiser and a glorified final friendly, for Wigan it will be the first extra game they have to play compared to their Championship rivals.
Then they have the Europa Cup group stages to contend with. Further distractions to their main goal. Many teams of the past have moaned about the Europa Cups effects on their league form. Plus finances don't work out for this competition according to some of our entrants of the past.
Any sort of cup run will only add to the excessive schedule. All this means a quick return is unlikely for Wigan. With Martinez set to go, plus many of their players, added with the fact that crowds will start to dwindle even more as many fans have to spread their visits out more due to the extra games and irregular scheduling.
All in all I would be surprised if we see Wigan back in the PL. In fact I can see them drop and drop.
They had a good run, made some great memories, but for Wigan I fear a sad future.
The long term effect of a cup win...
posted on 15/5/13
Portsmouth declined to apply for a European licence in 2010 thus did not take their place in the 10-11 Europa League that was theirs by right of being runners-up in the FA Cup to champions Chelsea.
Wigan will want to play Europa I feel.
posted on 15/5/13
This article has opinions that are way off the mark. Lots of players will want to go to wigan, fa cup holders a community shield to play europa leahue and the good chance of getting promoted. The funny thing is I know the op is probably not an arsenal fan but I am sure arsenal fans would love to see there team win trophies.
I think sometimes when you hover round the bottom of the league to many times, one or two bad results at the end of the season and you can gt relegated. Wigan shuld really have beaten swansea with there dominance, southampton should have beaten sunderland with there dominance but instead the results went against them.
posted on 15/5/13
Lots of players will want to go to wigan, fa cup holders a community shield to play europa leahue and the good chance of getting promoted.
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As we all saw at Birmingham City!!
posted on 15/5/13
Any team that goes down into the Championship needs to take a very practical approach.
It's an incredibly competetive league and a very long season.
If Wigan can keep a handful of their better players (the likes of Maloney and Kone will surely move on) then they will have a chance.
Unfortunately, as loyal as Martinez has been, I'm pretty sure he won't be hanging around either.
So when Dave Whelan picks his next manager, he needs to do so very thoughtfully. That for me will be the key as to them having a legitimate chance of coming straight back up, who the next manager is...
posted on 15/5/13
The FA cup means a hell of alot more than the league cup!
That being said I would rather Wigan were in the PL next year than FA cup winners, if they do manage to get up in the next few years then the club will be better off than they were previously..
They would still be one of the lesser sides in the premier league but they would be one who has recently won the FA cup and actually winning a major honour is a first for Wigan as well.
So maybe good in the long term as long as they can come back up...
posted on 15/5/13
How does this article get 9 comments but RGK's "Ramsey is world Class, will be better than Xavi next season" one get 87
posted on 15/5/13
Because no-one cares about Wigan.
posted on 15/5/13
I don't like Wigan, but I doubt they'll drop and drop. Let's not forget Birmingham made the playoffs in their Europa season, and their downfall has been a lot down to money. Wigan are financially more stable and even if they lose players, it's a squad with spirit. Which counts for a lot in the Championship.
They may not come straight back up but unlikely to do a Wolves.
posted on 15/5/13
I hope that they do make a swift return. Financially they are a well run club, and try to play football. They have the PL parachute payments and provide they do not lose too many of their top players they should be OK. The prospect of Europa League may even help them attract a couple of decent players to add to their squad. Key thing is whether Martinez stays or not. I wish them luck
posted on 21/5/13
I will be amazed if they can compete effectively in the Europa league and get promoted, the number of games is going to be unreal.