Author Archives: Ned

Unknown's avatar

About Ned

I am the son and grandson of ardent Wigan Athletic supporters, and have followed the Latics closely wherever life has taken me. This website is dedicated to discussing all Latics-related matters, with occasional summaries in Spanish for the growing contingent of Latin American and Spanish Wigan fans around the world. Thanks for reading.

Celtic supporter dishes on new Latics signing Shaun Maloney

Posted by Ned in News, Reflections and tagged with , , , , ,

Few people are better positioned to provide insight on new Wiganer Shaun Maloney than David Harper, of Celtic fansite Lost Bhoys. The little winger spent the better part of 10 years wearing hoops over two separate stints. What you are about to read is Harper’s assessment of Maloney — his two spells at Celtic, his playing style and attitude, and his chances of success with Wigan. David has also kindly agreed to answer questions about Maloney in the comments section below this story, so please do take him up on the offer!

Shaun Maloney aka Bupa

Howdy Wiganites, sorry I have no idea what you call someone from Wigan please excuse my ignorance. Ned asked me to put together a small piece about former Bhoy and new Latic Shaun Maloney. Iʼm a regular blogger and editor on http://www.LostBhoys.com and co-host of the weekly HomeBhoys Celtic fans phone-in show. I started following Celtic home and away from the age of 14 in 1987 so Iʼm pretty well placed to give you a brief rundown on the last of the Seville team to leave Celtic (management team excluded).

Shaun broke into the 1st team in 2001 and if I recall correctly he made his debut at Ibrox against ʻthemʼ. Originally he was deployed as an out and out striker and for the next couple of seasons mostly made appearances from the substitutes bench. It wasnʼt until Gordon Strachan took over the reigns that Shaun found his best position as an attacking left-midfielder which is still his natural position to this day.

Thatʼs when heʼs fit of course and those occasions have been few and far between in his second spell at the club. Heʼs a player that has divided fans ever since his return up north from Aston Villa. Many many fans myself included didnʼt think Maloney should be afforded a return to Celtic after the way we felt he had let us done badly when he left for Villa Park.

Shaun had suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury and despite the fact nobody was sure if he would return the same player Gordon Strachan fought to get the board to offer him a new contract. Celtic were very good to Shaun in this time and when he came back from injury he had his best spell winning both Scottish footballs player and young player of the year.

The disharmony came to be when Shaun played hardball over a new contract and eventually left under a cloud for Martin OʼNeillʼs Villains. Personally I think Maloney was due us a bit more loyalty considering we had taken a chance on him while injured and this was the reason many eyebrows were raised upon his ʻgloriousʼ return. His second spell has been a disaster for the player and a quick check shows he only played 55 games in the last 3 years. Maloney is constantly injured. Iʼll be absolutely astonished if he plays 20 games this season. Actually whenever I hear his name David Bowie singing China Doll creeps into my head. It would seem his hamstring is made of glass.

On his game heʼs a fantastic player who loves to drift in from the left onto his right foot and has a good eye for goal. He certainly isnʼt an out and out winger and isnʼt the kind of guy who will hit the byeline but rather step inside and play neat one-twoʼs around the box. Heʼs often been described as a buzzbomb as he is very busy but heʼs lost a bit of the pace he had when he was younger. Heʼs by no means a slouch though. Ned asked me if heʼs the kind of guy that will get stuck in. Flying into tackles no but heʼll certainly track back and has a good engine to get up and down the flank. I would say one of his biggest assets is heʼs a very intelligent player and reads the game extremely well.

There is no doubt in my mind if he can stay fit and if this is the position Wigan are looking to fill heʼll be a great signing but again I canʼt stress enough his fitness is a major problem.

There is also a myth surrounding him being a dead ball specialist. In his first spell he was quite prolific with free-kicks but this ability seems to have alluded him on his return. Frustratingly his seniority in the team (was stand in captain for a period) often seen him push better candidates to the side before he sailed one harmlessly over the bar. Most notably when Nakamura was in the side who was a real free-kick expert.

You may think reading this that Iʼm being overly harsh and my opinion has been tainted from my disdain at him letting us down. Believe me itʼs not Iʼm being as honest as I can. I think youʼll find most fans have actually forgiven him his sins but at the same time everyone knew it was time for him to move on. Money is tight in the Scottish game and Maloney being one of the larger earners at the club who spent the majority of his time in the physio room was a pay packet that could be better utilised. In saying that heʼs fit and raring to go at the minute so weʼll see how he goes.

Iʼm not sorry to see Shaun go but I wish him the very best of luck in the rest of his career. Heʼs a pretty laid back guy with no billy big boots airs or graces about him and I pray he can get a real run of games under his belt for you. Iʼll watch his career now from afar with interest.

I hope this has been a decent insight into what you have bought and hope I havenʼt panicked you too much with the injury woeʼs. If anyone would like any further info I can be contacted at LostBhoys@gmail.com.

Iʼd like to wish Wigan and Maloney all the best for the season ahead, most sincerely.

Hail Hail

David Harper

http://www.LostBhoys.com

Best transfer window yet? Crusat, Maloney, Van Aanholt strengthen Wigan

Posted by Ned in News and tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

With another dramatic deadline day safely behind us, I daresay Wigan Athletic has enjoyed its most successful transfer window yet. While other clubs wheeled and dealed and were ultimately forced to re-shuffle their packs to cover for unexpected losses, Roberto got the two wingers he had been looking for all summer to replace N’Zogbia and Cleverley, plus a much-needed alternative at left-back, something the team has lacked for a couple years. The squad not only looks competitive, it looks large. There is cover for everyone in the squad, no one is indispensable. It’s another mark of how far the club has come under Martinez.

So, lets recap the summer’s activity. It is an unfortunate truth at a club of Wigan’s size that one must sell to stay afloat — at least until the club’s fan base has grown enough to fill the DW week in and week out, sell shirts around the world, and be competitive enough to bring in television and prize money from European tournaments.

Given this fact, and the probability that the player would have forced the transfer anyway, N’Zogbia’s sale was unavoidable. Nine million was underwhelming for a player of his ability and Premier League experience, but from a strictly business perspective, the club paid six for him, got two-and-a-half excellent seasons out of him, and made a three million profit. And they almost certainly replaced him with a player on half his wages.

Meanwhile, seven million has been spent to bring in four players permanently, plus a very promising season-long loan. Last year’s player of the season, Ali Al-Habsi, should prove to be worth every penny of the four million Latics paid for him earlier this summer. Despite his first-match blunder, he was absolutely outstanding last year and at 29, is just entering his best years as a keeper. He seems to really love the club and I could see him playing out the rest of his career at the DW.

Albert Crusat, also 29, arrives from Almeria, where he spent six “magnificent” seasons. An Almeria fan site says he was one of the most loved players at the club, and should be a success in the Premier League based on his style of play. We understand he is a skillful, fast left winger, small but with good strength.

Shaun Maloney, 28, arrived from Celtic, where he spent most of his career. He is a right-footed winger, also quite small but tricky and with a dazzling highlight reel of direct free-kicks. He has had some injury trouble but has been fit for a while. He was chosen as the Scottish Player of the Year in 2006 and has played for his country 20 times. Celtic fans sound sad to see him go, and Aston Villa fans, who had him for a season and a half, reckon we have done tidy business for a “talented little player.”

Dave Jones joined the club during pre-season after failing to agree a new contract at Wolves. The 26-year-old is a left-footed central midfielder, much loved by Wolves fans for his efforts at Molineaux. This goal gives you an idea about the type of player he is. He hasn’t featured yet, but seems destined to play in an advanced role in the midfield diamond. His eye for a through ball and shooting threat make him a more than useful replacement to the current starting midfielders.

Nouha Dicko came in on a free after financial difficulties forced Strasbourg to release some of their players. He looks to be one for the future, but has already been lighting up the reserves with his pace and dribbling from the wing.

Patrick Van Aanholt is a 21-year-old left back, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, where he moved from PSV Eindhoven in 2007. He has been out on loan spells at Coventry, Newcastle and Leicester City since joining the London club. Hard to get a game with Ashley Cole and Yuri Zhirkov ahead of him in the pecking order, but he has represented his country at U-19 and U-21 levels and was even close to the senior squad on a few occasions. He should provide excellent cover for Maynor Figueroa at left back.

In Conclusion:

The deepest squad the Latics have ever had. Roberto already had a young, promising team and has added several players at the peak of their careers. Crusat and Maloney should not need a lengthy adjustment period (although they probably won’t go straight into the starting lineup either, given the strong performances by Rodallega and Moses on the wings last time out), and are proven players. There is now cover in every position. Kirkland for Al-Habsi. Stam for Boyce, Gohouri/Lopez for Alcaraz/Caldwell, Van Aanholt for Figueroa. Jones/McArthur/Thomas for Watson/Diame/Jordi/McCarthy. Sammon for Di Santo. Crusat/Maloney for Moses and Rodallega. And that’s not to mention young players knocking on the door like McManaman, Dicko and Redmond.

The starting lineup may not be any stronger, on paper, since N’Zogbia and Cleverley’s departures. But the depth is something we’ve never seen. And options. Looking forward to watching the new boys soon.

The lowdown on Wigan’s new signing, Shaun Maloney

Posted by Ned in News and tagged with , , , , , ,

Wigan has agreed a 1 million pound fee for the transfer of Celtic winger Shaun Maloney, who spent a season and a half at Aston Villa under Martin O’Neill before returning to Glasgow. He’s had his share of injury problems but is a skillful, right-footed winger who should suit the Martinez style of play. Roberto calls him “magical.” He’s also a dead ball specialist, scoring numerous free-kicks during his time at Celtic. At a million pounds, you can’t go far wrong for a really talented player about to hit the peak of his career at 28.

Below are some comments from Celtic supporters upon hearing the news that Celtic and Wigan had agreed a fee:

“He was a great little talent and I thought he could take the mantle from Moravcik. However, injuries and playing in industrious sides that didn’t suit his play has resulted in a rather unfulfilled career. I don’t know what was more badly advised – his move to Villa or us buying him back. However, I won’t forget the season when he won his awards, linked up beautifully with Nakamura and swept us to the title. Good luck wee man…”

“With regards to the national team, hopefully Shaun Maloney gets a regular game for Wigan. When he’s fit and in the mood he can be a game changer…”

“I really rated Maloney, when fit I always said a better player than McGeady, but that’s at least two years now he’s struggled with injury.”

And this very impressive YouTube compilation:

Wigan 2 QPR 0: Di Santo dazzles as Latics claim first win

Posted by Ned in Match Reports, News, Other

Match Report:  Swansea City 0 Wigan Athletic 0

That little slice of luck that eluded Latics in the first two matches finally turned up in this home win over Queens Park Rangers, the last in a series of three fixtures against newly promoted clubs. It had been Wigan hitting posts against Norwich and Swansea, but QPR managed to do so no less than three times without scoring on Saturday. That statistic flatters the visiting side, however, as Wigan rarely looked in trouble and once Di Santo had netted his first the match was rarely in doubt.

Prior to his two strikes on Saturday, the Argentine had only managed two goals in fifty-odd Premier League appearances, although many of them were made as a substitute, and half under Fat Sam’s management at Blackburn in a system that did not suit his style of play. His goal-scoring record at Audax Italiano, the Chilean team Chelsea poached him from, was decent if not prolific, with 26 goals from 76 appearances. On Saturday, he scored two beauties — albeit with a fortunate deflection on the second — and it might have been a hat-trick but for an excellent save from QPR keeper Paddy Kenny.

Positives:

Di Santo and Rodallega. Much like Jordi Gomez did last week at Swansea, Di Santo enjoy a breakthrough match, his best in a Wigan shirt. He had already showed encouraging signs in the first two matches, a man with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. But where he’d failed in those, he succeeded this time around. Against QPR he was dynamic and dangerous, carving out a chance for himself and hammering at Paddy Kenny, before going one better with a sublime volley from the top of the box, and later sealing the match with another top-corner nestler after a slight deflection. Rodallega, meanwhile, looked back to his lively best, making a real nuisance of himself, passing intelligently and running at defenders. He and Di Santo seem to play well together and could be a useful partnership for the rest of the season.

Another clean sheet. Having shipped nine goals to Tottenham two years ago, and ten to Blackpool and Chelsea in their first two matches last year, Latics have come a long way defensively. Two clean sheets — and it would have been three but for Al-Habsi’s unfortunate mistake against Norwich — in three matches bodes well for the season, particularly given the absences of Antolin Alcaraz and Steve Gohouri, two of the club’s best three centre-backs.

Negatives:

I’ll keep this section short because the mission was accomplished with minimal fuss, but Adrian Lopez still looks wobbly at the heart of defense, Al-Habsi made a couple very good saves but looks uncharacteristically timid since his mistake against Norwich. Victor Moses, probably not at 100% having pulled his groin the week before, needs to improve his decision-making once he’s beaten his man. There isn’t a better dribbler in the league at the moment, but it will be important that he focuses on his final pass, or shot, if he is going to fill N’Zogbia’s boots.

Player Ratings:

Ali Al-Habsi: 7 — Made a couple very good saves, in particular from Taraabt’s deflected free-kick, pushing the ball onto the post and away from goal.

Maynor Figueroa: 6 — Fairly quiet match from the Honduran.

Gary Caldwell: 6 — Solid enough, although his passing was a little off.

Adrian Lopez: 5 — Better than his Norwich nightmare, but still a little wobbly and struggled again with the physical nature of the centre-forward’s game, in this case Patrick Agyemang. That said, he improved as the game went on and lets hope that continues.

Emmerson Boyce: 7 — Reliable, and made an excellent mazy run past several defenders that resulted in a goal-scoring opportunity for the Latics.

Ben Watson: 7 — Did his job fairly quietly in midfield, did not get forward at all, however.

Mo Diame: 6 –The odd moment of invention as is customary, but not much in the way of end product. Good tackling, however.

Jordi Gomez: 7 — Finishing was a little disappointing but it was another step in the right direction. He looks involved, confident, and did a fair bit of defending and tackling.

Victor Moses: 6 — Went past his man a couple times only to waste the final pass or shot, but he will continue to grow as the season goes on. Was probably still suffering the effects of his groin injury suffered against Swansea.

Hugo Rodallega: 8 — Very energetic performance on the left wing from Hugo, who was involved throughout, passed and moved well, and linked up nicely with Di Santo. Strangely, however, he didn’t have any chances or memorable goal attempts.

Franco Di Santo: 9 — His best performance for the club. Two lovely goals, excellent forward play, full of dribbling, passing and effort. Very pleased for him, it’s like having a new signing.

Subs:

Conor Sammon: 5 —  After his exciting contribution at the end of last season, he’s looked a little less flashy this year. Fast, strong and willing, but the team has looked less dangerous when he has replaced Franco Di Santo on the pitch. Didn’t do much wrong, but didn’t create much either.

James McArthur: 6 — Came on and looked at home in midfield, though didn’t contribute too much of note.

Ronnie Stam: Was only on the pitch for a few minutes.