Wigan Fans: The jury’s out on manager Gary Caldwell…
OVF chats to four die-hard Wigan Athletic fans ahead of their game against Valiants this weekend…
Q&A by REP
About the fans
OLD WOLF – My first game was a friendly against Man City in, I think, 1977, with some mates from school.
SAMMY SALT – I’ve been going since 1968 – from the Cheshire League to the Premier League and back a bit!
WILDHEART – My first game Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup first round in ‘76 or ’77.
ATL11 – Dad took me to watch games when they joined the league as an eight year-old. I think it cost my Dad 80p for me to get in one of those first games.
How do you expect your team to do this season?
I think we may actually sneak into a play-off place, though I’ve spent many years being disappointed…
OLD WOLF – Inconsistently. As head of the “Darkside” here, I really shouldn’t say so, but I think we may actually sneak into a play-off place, though I’ve spent many years being disappointed.
SAMMY SALT – Play offs
WILDHEART – A top ten finish maybe play-offs if the millions of new signings gel.
ATL11 – I’m hoping for play-offs, anything more would be a bonus.
Who should we watch out for?
OLD WOLF – With so many new players, and being unable to see live games now, it’s a difficult question, but I did feel a frisson of excitement when we signed Vuckic on loan.
SAMMY SALT – Not telling you . Seriously, Perkins looks the best signing so far
WILDHEART – Jacobs is probably the most skilful, Vuknic looked lively on his debut.
ATL11 – Whoever scored against Chesterfield, as by the time we play Port Vale we could have more new loan players.
Thoughts on your manager and his signings?
The jury is out on Caldwell. The consensus seems to be he got job too early but we will back him…
OLD WOLF – He’s too much in the Martinez style and wants to pass the ball to death instead of attacking the opposition, but I’m just hoping he’ll learn to be more incisive. On balance, I think the signings were decent, but ask me at the end of May.
SAMMY SALT – The jury is out on Caldwell. The consensus seems to be he got job too early but we will back him as he is our fifth manager in two years.
WILDHEART – Too much passing to be honest, we are far more dangerous when we press forwards, he just needs time to work out his best eleven.
ATL11 – I thought it would be another Owen Coyle moment. Luckily it looks like Gary is slowly learning the ropes and his signings mean we have hungry players who want to play for Wigan.
Thoughts on your board?
OLD WOLF – We have a board? The previous board and chairman, certainly for the last couple of years, were pretty useless.
SAMMY SALT – A very young chairman and it has been a bit chaotic after a disaster of a season. Like Caldwell, the jury is out but we are all in it together I suppose.
WILDHEART – The board should hang their heads in shame over failure to use the Premier League money to invest in an academy and the appointment of Malky Mackay.
ATL11 – If you know who’s on the board let us know, the only off-field activities we can report are signings, and they seem positive.
How do you expect Vale to do this season?
There are a couple of teams I expect to struggle, but Vale aren’t one of those…
OLD WOLF – There are a couple of teams I expect to struggle, but Vale aren’t one of those.
SAMMY SALT – Seventh, sorry… just kidding, I don’t know about my own club after all these new arrivals let alone this league!
WILDHEART – My mate is diehard Vale fan (Gary Gibson) and will be joining him in the India Cottage for a curry after the game, he reckons you will do well this season and he knows his footie so don’t doubt him.
ATL11 – Would you be happy if I said mid-table obscurity?
A score prediction?
OLD WOLF – Vale 1 Wigan 2 (Grigg and Vuckic).
SAMMY SALT – I would take a draw now whilst this new team gels. I won’t predict as I always get egg on my face!
WILDHEART – One-all, thereby creating a convivial mood in the curry house!
ATL11 – Can I go for a draw? Vale have started well so knowing what we do so far from Mr Caldwell, I’ll see him respecting Vale, going 4-5-1, packing the middle of the field, parking the bus and going for the counter.
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