Dion Rankine had probably his best game so far for Latics against Mansfield. Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic.
Wide players played an important role in Shaun Maloney’s Wigan Athletic team last season. Martial Godo, Steven Humphrys, Jordan Jones, Callum McManaman and Jonny Smith made a total of 162 league appearances (starting + off the bench) between them, scoring 21 goals.
Over the summer Godo went back to his parent club, Fulham. Humphrys and Jones were offered new contracts but terms could not be agreed. Despite budget restrictions Maloney was able to sign four new wingers over the summer: Maleace Asamoah and Dion Rankine on permanent contracts for relatively small fees, with Michael Olakigbe and Silko Thomas coming in on loan. The average age of the four of them was less than 20.8 years.
After 12 games played in League 1 this season Latics have scored a paltry 10 goals, only Stevenage having scored less (9). However, their defensive record of only 9 conceded is bettered only by Stockport and Wrexham (both 8). Maloney and his coaches have worked hard with the players on their performances “off the ball”. The wingers have certainly played their part in defending, but they have looked muted in attack.
Both Olakigbe and Smith missed several weeks in early season due to injury. Ironically it is the least experienced Thomas, without a previous first team appearance for any club, who has played the most minutes.
Age
Appearances
Starts
Total minutes
Silko Thomas (on loan)
20
10
10
726
Dion Rankine
22
11
9
705
Michael Olakigbe (on loan)
20
6
2
259
Callum McManaman
33
9
2
253
Jonny Smith
27
3
0
84
Maleace Asamoah
21
1
0
19
Thomas was signed on loan from Leicester. A product of the Chelsea Academy he joined the Foxes in the summer of 2023 and played in their U21 side. An inverted winger he has been a regular starter on the left.
Dion Rankine is also a product of the Chelsea Academy. After making 33 appearances on loan at Exeter in League 1 last season, he signed for Latics for a fee reported to be around £300,000. Rankine has been a regular starter as a “natural” right winger.
Michael Olakigbe, born in Nigeria, is a former England youth international who passed through the Fulham and Queens Park Rangers academies. He signed for Brentford in July 2022. Olakigbe made 8 Premier League substitute appearances for the Bees last season before being loaned out to Peterborough in January. He made only two league starts with 8 appearances off the bench for The Posh, his opportunities being hampered by injuries and suspension.
Callum McManaman was a key player last season in his ability to stretch opposition defences in the second half of a game. So often he was able to energise a style of play that was flat, lacking in energy and incisive play. However, he had less impact on matches when he was in the starting lineup. He has only started in two league matches this season, being largely employed as a “impact sub”.
Jonny Smith was dogged by injury last year and has made only three appearances this season. Still only 27, he had played at 7 different clubs before establishing himself at Burton Albion where he played for two and a half seasons, making 77 appearances, scoring 9 goals. At his best he shows lightning pace and can provide a goal threat cutting inside from the right to use his left foot.
Maleace Asamoah was signed from Fleetwood for a small fee. He is the son of former Ghana international Derek Asamoah. A product of the Reading Academy he was at Cheshunt before making a handful of appearances for Kalamata, Olimpiacos Velos and New Salamis in Greece. On his return to England last season, he made two League 1 appearances for Fleetwood before going to Waterford in the League of Ireland where he established himself as a regular starter. Asamoah was clearly signed on potential and has only made one league appearance for Latics this season as a substitute.
Apart from McManaman the other wingers have had less than auspicious starts to the season. In so many games they have seemed static and lacking in dynamism and the willingness to take on opposition defences. What has been the underlying reasons for that?
Maloney’s critics would say that his constant rotation of players between and during games has meant that only Sam Tickle and the two centre backs, Will Aimson and Jason Kerr, have played the regular 90+ minutes. Partnerships between individuals have not developed as they might have. The net result has been a conservative, static way of play where the ball is constantly played to feet rather than into space.
Silko Thomas is a young player who plays with enthusiasm and works hard for the team. In the Mansfield game he once again received the ball with a defender tightly marking him. The net result was Thomas making a 30-yard pass back to the defence which indirectly led to a Mansfield goal. Dion Rankine too has struggled to breach opposition defences. However, Rankine has his best game this season because the ball was more frequently placed into space for him to run on to. In previous games the norm was for him to receive the ball to feet or even behind him.
Of the six wingers in the senior squad only Jonny Smith is a natural left footer and he is employed as an inverted role. Over the course of the season so far it would not be ridiculous to suggest that Wigan’s most effective wide attacker has been the left full back, Luke Chambers. The injury to Chambers is a hammer blow for Maloney, having not only so often been the only left-footer on the pitch but in his all-round play.
The understanding between full backs and wingers is crucial in developing plays along the flanks. The interplay between the two can help unlock tight defences. Unlike Chambers, James Carragher does not have the range of attacking skills possessed by a specialist full back like Chambers. Playing Carragher at right back has certainly helped the defence. He is good in the air and reads the game well. Carragher has done so well overcoming injury and establishing himself as a senior squad player. However, playing a natural central defender at full back is not helping the attack, the right winger in particular.
The bottom line is that Latics’ passing this season has so often been predictable with players making the easy pass to feet rather than playing “sin miedo” by putting it into space for a teammate to run on to. The ability to receive the ball in tight situations is a key part of the game, but in Wigan’s case it so infrequently has led to the ball moving forward, the necessary support play being lacking.
Players have suffered from the lack of imagination and vision in the team’s passing. The wingers have been particularly hard done by. If they are to be more effective, they need to work in tandem with the full backs, both offensively and defensively. Up to this point they have been more successful in the latter area.
We have seen so many awful performances over the years from Latics in the EFL Trophy. What we saw on Tuesday night ranks among the most frustrating of them. The opponents, Morecambe, had not won a competitive match in Wigan since 1963 and currently lie in 24th position in League 2 with zero points and zero goals scored in their first four matches. A 2-1 win was a wonderful result for them.
The post-match reaction from Wigan Athletic fans, who saw the game either at the ground or on television, was in most cases, predictably damning.
The EFL Trophy competition first started in 1981. Apart from the closing stages, particularly a Wembley final, attendances are woefully low. The attendance of 1,702 and adult admission at £5 per head for this game would hardly have sufficed in covering the expenses incurred in opening up the Brick Community Stadium for the game. Why does the competition continue to run in such an overcrowded calendar in Leagues 1 and 2?
Last season competing clubs received a £20,000 participation fee, plus £10,000 per victory and £5,000 per draw in the group stage, and increasing prizes for the knockout matches up to £100,000 for winning the final. Wigan Athletic won it in 1985 and 1999. Some clubs are more serious than others about reaching the later stages , with a showcase final at Wembley. But for all it provides an opportunity to test out younger players in a sterner scenario than that of U21 football.
Like other clubs Wigan Athletic usually field weakened lineups in the early stages of the competition. Shaun Maloney had made seven changes from the lineup that started at Birmingham. Latics dominated play with 80%+ possession, but could not put away their chances, other than the penalty scored by Joe Hugill. Morecambe’s goals came from a breakaway with Wigan players caught up field in disarray, together with an error from Toby Sibbick, gifting the away side with a goalscoring opportunity.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Latics with one win in six including this game. Football managers are judged by results and it is no surprise that Shaun Maloney’s tactical approach has been under attack. Moreover, many fans consider that the comings and goings over the summer have left the manager with a disjointed squad lacking in experience and striking power up front. The football on display has so often been painfully slow, offering poor entertainment for the paying spectators.
Mike Danson saved the club from extinction in June 2023, paying off a £17m debt, followed by supporting a bloated budget last season with underperforming players remaining on long term contracts with inflated salaries. This year’s budget is reputed to be around £3.6m: mid-table as far as League 1 is concerned. But even then, with such a budget the only way the club will make a profit is through more transfer money coming in than going out.
Even in the heady days of Dave Whelan’s sponsorship Latics were always going to sell if the right bid were to come in for a player. Charlie Hughes’ transfer to Hull City was a body-blow to the fans, even though it was seemingly inevitable. When the transfer was completed, fans called for Mike Danson to reinvest the money in the squad. A portion of that cash was allotted to the recruitment team who used it to sign Jensen Weir and Maleace Asamoah. Prior to Hughes’ departure Latics had already shelled a figure probably around £850,000 for the signings of Will Aimson, Dion Rankine and Toby Sibbick. A small fee was most likely involved in the transfer of Sean Clare to Leyton Orient, but at least £1m has likely been spent on transfer fees over summer.
The recruitment policy over summer was largely based on finding young players with potential. Too often in the past experienced players were brought in on relatively high salaries who had minimal sell-on value. Summer recruitment was looking at the long-term and the only players aged 30 or over to be signed were Paul Aimson and goalkeeping/player-coach, Andy Lonergan.
However, with a poor start of the season we have not seen new recruits at their best and some are sceptical whether they are ample replacements for the six senior squad players who have departed as free agents. Latics did offer a new contract to Jordan Jones, but were unable to agree terms. However, neither he nor Ben Amos, Stephen Humphrys, Josh Magennis, Tom Pearce or Charlie Wyke were regulars in the starting lineups for league matches over the course of the season. Humphrys made the most starts (23), Ben Amos none.
An important factor in summer recruitment was that all the new signings had prior experience in the EFL, SPL, or overseas leagues. Four were signed from clubs in the EPL and two from League 1 clubs.
Port Vale, Blackpool, Morecambe, Cambridge U, Brighton, Wigan
All six of the loan signings were signed from Premier League clubs. They are particularly young: five of them are 20 years old, Calvin Ramsay being 21. All have previously played on loan in the EFL with the exception of Silko Thomas. Dale Taylor is the most experienced, having 62 EFL appearances at Wycombe Wanderers and Burton Albion, although still only 20.
There has been a reduction in the average age within the senior squad over the summer. Jason Kerr and Jonny Smith are 27, Will Aimson 30, Callum McManaman 33. The remainder of the squad are less than 25 years old.
The low proportion of highly experienced pros in the squad is a concern cited by many fans. But there is also considerable concern about the changes in the coaching staff over summer. Losing both Graham Barrow and Stephen Crainey was a huge blow for Maloney. Not only does he have major changes in his playing squad, but also in his coaching support. The manager faces a difficult period with a relative lack of experience in both areas.
Maloney has been looking to sign players who can fit into his preferred style of play. Given financial constraints he has missed out on a range of players who could have added quality to his squad. Moreover, the new players coming in have been met by a much-changed coaching team. Fan concerns focus not only on the quality of the new players who have come into the squad, but also their ability to adapt to the style of football the manager prefers to play.
The fan reaction to a poor start of the season has been strong. Some call for the manager’s head. Others express their concerns about the static, repetitive nature of the football offered up to this point. So many sideways and backwards passes, a lack of tempo in the play, too many players preferring to pass the buck rather than take a risk and go forward. Others cite the lack of a combative midfielder in the style of Sam Morsy and a centre forward who can consistently challenge the central defenders, hold the ball up and be a danger from set pieces.
Chairman, Ben Goodburn, put out a welcome communique to fans yesterday, stating:
“On the field, we’ve shown real promise with strong performances against Charlton Athletic, and most recently, Birmingham City. While the results haven’t always matched our positive displays, I believe we are heading in the right direction. The performance against Morecambe wasn’t what Shaun or his staff wanted to see, but I am confident the hard work and determination of the players and coaching staff will pay off as we continue through the season. “
As always, when results are not going well, there is pressure on the manager and his staff to improve them. There is a long season ahead, with time for the team to gel and play the to the level of football that Maloney seeks. The manager perhaps shot himself in the foot by suggesting that a club with an average budget could reach the playoffs at the end of the season. However, he cannot be faulted for his ambition and what he has done for the club since he took over.
Despite so much sterile football during Maloney’s reign, with so few players being “brave on the ball”, there have been flashes of excellence. He and his coaches must insist that all players take full responsibility for the football on display and make it more dynamic. This is not to suggest that we go back to the long ball game that was preferred by previous management, which is outmoded these days. “Bravery on the ball” is what is paramount to improvement and must be stressed.
For the near future Maloney must take a more pragmatic approach to his style of play. Seeing too many players struggling to adapt to his tactical variations it would be wise to simplify his systems of play. Inverting the full backs might work with a start-studded Guardiola team, but has not worked too well up to this point with lower league players. Put it on the back-burner and keep things simple. When that system does not work and possession is lost it leads to chaos at the back.
Mike Danson has been a terrific custodian for the club during his brief time as owner. There is no lack of ambition, but he is not willing to put the club in severe financial jeopardy, as previous owners have done. There is a brave, bold long-term recruitment plan that can serve to guarantee the club’s future sustainability. Yes, there is a relative shortage of senior pros in the squad, but how many of those in the past became a financial millstone round the club’s necks?
Despite the club’s considerable debts Danson provided Maloney with funds to sign new players over summer. It is a sign of faith in a manager who deserves it for what he has done and will continue to do at the club. Danson will continue to back Maloney, History has shown that changes of manager at Wigan during the course of a season can have disastrous effects.
In the meantime, Maloney needs the full backing of his coaches to ensure that his brand of possession football develops in a more positive way, with players playing “sin miedo”, playing as a unit where the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.
The low proportion of highly experienced pros in the squad is a concern cited by many fans. But there is also considerable concern about the changes in the coaching staff over summer. Losing both Graham Barrow and Stephen Crainey was a blow for Maloney. Not only does he have major changes in his playing squad, but also in his coaching support. The manager faces a difficult period with a relative lack of experience in both areas.
Maloney has clearly been looking to sign players who can fit into his preferred style of play. Given financial constraints he will have certainly missed out on a range of players who could have added more quality to his squad. Moreover, the new players coming in have been met by a much-changed coaching team. Fan concerns focus not only on the quality of the new players who have come into the squad, but also their ability to adapt to the style of football the manager prefers to play.
The fan reaction to a poor start of the season has been strong. Some call for the manager’s head. Others express their concerns about the static, repetitive nature of the football offered up to this point. So many sideways and backwards passes, a lack of tempo in the play, too many players preferring to pass the buck rather than take a risk and go forward. Others cite the lack of a combative midfielder in the style of Sam Morsy and a centre forward who can consistently challenge the central defenders, hold the ball up and be a danger from set pieces.
Chairman, Ben Woodburn, put out a welcome communique to fans today stating:
“On the field, we’ve shown real promise with strong performances against Charlton Athletic, and most recently, Birmingham City. While the results haven’t always matched our positive displays, I believe we are heading in the right direction. The performance against Morecambe wasn’t what Shaun or his staff wanted to see, but I am confident the hard work and determination of the players and coaching staff will pay off as we continue through the season. “
As always, when results are not going well, there is pressure on the manager and his staff to improve them. There is a long season ahead, with time for the team to gel and play the to the level of football that Maloney seeks. The manager possibly shot himself in the foot by suggesting that a club with an average budget could reach the playoffs at the end of the season. However, he cannot be faulted for his ambition and what he has done for the club since he took over.
Despite so much sterile football during Maloney’s reign, with so few players being “brave on the ball”, there have been flashes of excellence. He and his coaches must insist that all players take full responsibility for the football on display and make it more dynamic. This is not to suggest that we go back to the long ball game that was preferred by previous management, which is outmoded these days. “Bravery on the ball” is paramount to improvement and must be stressed.
For the near future Maloney needs to take a more pragmatic approach to his style of play. Seeing too many players struggling to adapt to his tactical variations it would be wise to simplify his systems of play. Inverting the full backs might work with a start-studded Guardiola team, but has not worked so well up to this point with lower league players. Put it on the back-burner and keep things simple. When that system does not work and possession is lost it leads to chaos at the back.
Mike Danson has been a terrific custodian for the club during his brief time as owner. There is no lack of ambition, but he is not willing to put the club in severe financial jeopardy, as previous owners have done. There is a brave, bold long-term recruitment plan that can serve to guarantee the club’s future sustainability. Yes, there is a relative shortage of senior pros in the squad, but how many of those in the past became a financial millstone round the club’s necks?
Despite the club’s considerable debts Danson provided Maloney with funds to sign new players over summer. It is a sign of faith in a manager who deserves it for what he has done and will continue to do at the club. Danson will continue to back Maloney, History has shown that changes of manager at Wigan during the course of a season can have disastrous effects.
In the meantime, Maloney needs the full backing of his coaches to ensure that his brand of possession football develops in a more positive way, with players playing “sin miedo”, playing as a unit where the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.
Wigan Athletic’s wins away at Exeter in League 1 and the FA Cup had a certain amount of fortune about them. Put simply, a mixture of ill fortune and lack of penetration in the penalty box by Gary Caldwell’s team gifted both games to an opportunist Wigan. The reverse happened today with two deflected goals proving the difference between the two teams.
Latics started brightly but were undone in the 11th minute when Mo Eisa’s shot took a wicked deflection off Charlie Goode to put the visitors ahead.
With Matt Smith suspended and Liam Shaw out through injury there was going to be lack of creativity in Latics’ midfield. Scott Smith and Baba Adeeko struggled in the first half to link the defence and attack. Exeter pressed high up the field and Wigan’s defence and midfield found it hard to cope with. Far too often the centre backs, Hughes and Goode, waving their arms about, would play the ball between each other or to full backs who were hard pressed to go forward. It was tedious, slow and repetitive, frustrating for a paying spectator to watch.
Being a goal behind at half time Shaun Maloney made attacking changes in the second half with Jonny Smith coming on for Sean Clare at right back, Chris Sze for Adeeko and Charlie Kelman for a totally ineffective Josh Magennis. The changes brought energy into Wigan’s play and players started to run with the ball. However, in the 66th minute another deflected goal, this time off Scott Smith, once again rocked Wigan. However, they continued to mount attacks.
Kelman’s mobility had proved useful in the second half and he scored an opportunist goal after 71 minutes after the keeper had palmed way a shot by Steven Humphrys. However, no more goals came for Wigan and Exeter walked away with a perhaps fortunate, perhaps deserved 3 points.
It has been a season of highs and lows for Latics. At their best they can match the top teams in the division and play delightful football. At their worst they can be ponderously slow moving the ball forward, seemingly devoid of energy, reluctant to run with the ball, prone to constant back passing. T
The ups and downs are typical of a mid-table team, something Latics fans have not seen for years. If this team were to finish around mid-table it would be an achievement for a manager who has dealt with so many difficult situations at the club with grace and dedication. The goal for the season was always to avoid relegation and make progress to balancing the books.
Maloney and owner Mike Danson have together helped stabilise a club on the verge of extinction. The “massive” overspending of the Richardson era ultimately left the club in poor shape, with so many players on long term contracts on salaries that were disproportional to the club’s revenues. Latics will make a considerable loss this season and it is highly unlikely that any of Richardson’s “senior pro” signings will be here at Wigan next season.
Only three of Richardson’s signings were in the starting lineup today. Steven Humphrys and Jordan Jones has been sent away on loan by Richardson, but Josh Magennis had been signed to be a first team regular after taking over from Charlie Wyke as “target man”.
Earlier in the season we had seen an exciting attacking trio of Thelo Aasgaard, Martial Godo and Humphrys. Since then, Aasgaard, who has been dogged by injuries, has started to realise some of his huge potential. Godo was electric until his injury in the FA Cup game at York. Since his return he has been a shadow of his former self. Humphrys was so good to watch earlier in the season, his pace, flair and two-footedness, able to open up defences. But his form has dipped drastically and he too looks a shadow of what he was.
Latics will almost certainly avoid relegation this season despite the 8-point deduction imposed by the EFL. They are on their way to becoming a sustainable club, but that path will be painful for a fan-base accustomed to the support of a benefactor. Expectations remain among too many fans that Latics will continue to be run the way they have over the past decade. Times have changed and the long-term survival of the club is paramount. That involves the club living within its means.
“Anytime you come away from home and go 1-0 down, though, maybe you have to take the point. The performance though…for me, it was even better than Barnsley on New Year’s Day. Barnsley was very different, in that first half, it was very counter attack. Today for me was as good as we’ve played in a long, long time with the ball.”
Sean Maloney’s comments after the game. Latics had 65% possession during the course of the contest.
Maloney made two changes from the team that played Manchester United with 19-year-old Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers coming into the left side of defence and Josh Magennis as a central striker. There was a tweak in the formation with Thelo Aasgaard largely operating a left midfield role, alongside Stephen Sessegnon and Baba Adeeko.
Maloney’s tactical approach invariably involves players interchanging positions, making it difficult to define one specific formation. Such fluidity can make it difficult for the opposition to counter, although at times there can be glitches with gaps in the defensive formation, particularly if a player misplaces a pass. In this game Adeeko’s passing error gifted the home side a goal after 15 minutes after Sam Tickle had conceded a penalty in an attempt to rectify the error. Latics had dominated the game up to that point, but the goal lifted the confidence of the home team for the remainder of the first half.
When the half time whistle blew Latics were a goal down and the social media was awash with comments suggesting Magennis should be substituted out of the contest after being repeatedly causing attacks to break down through being off side.
No changes were made at half time, but there was an improvement in the tempo from Latics. After 61 minutes Maloney made a tactical adjustment took off centre back Liam Morrison, bringing on Callum McManaman. He also brought on Matt Smith for Adeeko. Smith immediately stamped his class into Wigan’s play and his defence-splitting pass to Martial Godo provided a tap in for Magennis after 64 minutes.
In the end a draw was a fair result and the point was enough to put Latics 5 points above the relegation zone with a record of W10 D6 L10. Northampton had started the game in the top half of the table and had won 3 and drawn one of their previous four home games. They seemed content to share the points at the end of the proceedings.
It was a delight to see Matt Smith back in action: his ability to receive the ball in tight situations and find his man with the pass makes him virtually irreplaceable in the style of play preferred by Maloney. Luke Chambers made a fine debut, being able to slot into that hybrid role of left back/left centre back. Together they provide rays of hope in their ability to effectively slot into the manager’s style of play.
Since Adeeko played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team in November he has not been able to consistently play at the same level as he did previously. Adeeko certainly provides the physicality and energy needed in the centre of midfield, but his passing has disappointed of late, being prone to pass backwards or sideways. But Adeeko is only 20 and in his first season as a regular in the first team. He has made remarkable strides and made himself a contender for an automatic place in the starting lineup. Given more time he could become a key player.
“I thought Thelo’s performance in the second half against Charlton was as good as he’s produced since I’ve been here…I still think there’s a lot more he can do, but he’s doing okay.”
Shaun Maloney’s comment hit the nail on the head. His appraisal of Thelo Aasgaard was fair. Although the Norwegian did not have a great game against Charlton he was certainly one of the better performers that day. But one gets the feeling watching him that there he is playing below his capabilities.
Aasgaard made his league debut for Latics as an 18 -year-old in October 2020, coming on as an 88th minute substitute in a 0-1 home loss to Peterborough United. It was a bleak time to make a first appearance, with the club reeling from being under administration and the Covid pandemic causing football matches to be played behind closed doors. However, it provided opportunities for some of the club’s academy players with the club being cash-strapped, unable to bring in many experienced pros. Aasgaard went on to make 13 League 1 starts that season, with 20 appearances off the bench.
The following season he made just one league start, coming on as a substitute 4 times, in Leam Richardson’s League 1 title winning side. Last season saw the player making his largest number of appearances with 12 starts and 19 substitute experiences in the Championship.
Stats courtesy of Soccerway.com
In terms of playing time, it could be argued that Aasgaard has had more than enough to more consistently reveal his impressive range of talents. Click here to see his goalscoring prowess. He has been played in a variety of positions, although predominantly wide on the left. Although he has the attributes as a midfield playmaker he has rarely been employed in that position and when he has played there he has not over-impressed.
Together with Charlie Hughes, Aasgaard stands out as a player who has the capability to play at a much higher level. Although only 20 the former has already established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, seeming destined to become a Premier League player. But some players mature earlier than others.
In the last three games Aasgaard has played the full 90 minutes-plus, scoring two goals. He has thrived in the role of playing in a mobile, interchanging front three. Maloney clearly has faith in the player and has given him the opportunity to play in a run of games that he has rarely been afforded in the past. Aasgaaard’s skills blend well with those of Martial Godo and Stephen Humphrys in a pacy and stylish front three.
Will this be Thelo Aasgaard’s breakout season?
Click here to see our previous article “Finding the right place for Thelo Aasgaard“
LOS THREE AMIGOS 