Season Preview: Wigan Athletic

Overall Outlook - It's hard to know what to expect from Wigan's roster shuffling thus far.  More importantly, the question is whether that shuffling - specifically the "headed out the door" part is yet complete for the summer.  There have been persistent rumors that either N'Zogbia or Rodallega will be departing for clubs farther up the table.  If either of those players departs, the outlook at Wigan will be dramatically different than it would be with them.  There seems to be a growing base of solid talent but N'Zog and Yayga are the only two who have proven themselves to be potential match-winners.  While neither are so exceptional that they are going to push Wigan firmly into the top half, the lack of a couple proven match winners is going to make it very difficult for them to stay out of a relegation battle.  If both players stay, I predict something in the 13th to 16th place finish area.  If one goes then they'll probably survive but only just barely.  If both go, then we'll be seeing Roberto Martinez back in the Championship next season.

Figueroa out with injury

via Yahoo!UK/Eurosport:

Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa is facing several weeks on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments during the 3-1 win at Burnley on Saturday.

Figueroa had to leave the field after only 28 minutes at Turf Moor having sustained the injury, while team-mate Paul Scharner required 10 stitches stitches in a facial wound he picked up creating the Latics' third goal for Emmerson Boyce.

The damage to Scharner is only superficial, but Figueroa's condition is more concerning for manager Roberto Martinez, who told the Wigan Evening Post: "Maynor has a grade two medial ligament problem in his left knee. We will assess it further to see how bad he is, but it doesn't look too good."

He added: "Normally with this sort of injury, you are talking about weeks rather than months - but the signs are not nice.

A few thoughts as Wigan travel to Pompey so are perhaps more fantasy-relevant than usual...

If as happened on Saturday, N'Zogbia drops back into defence then his value will be reduced.  The winner there would be Gomez who came on in the more attacking role.  However, the other option is that we might see Erik Edman (6.04) get a run at left back.

UPDATE: N'Zog set for defensive role as Edman is concussed. He'll be back in a month; Figueroa in three to four. So, could it be "Go time" for Gomez?

Martinez Makes Gomez His First Wigan Signing

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has made his first signing as a Premier League boss after completing a deal to bring in midfielder Jordi Gomez from Espanyol.

The 24-year-old playmaker is well known to Martinez, who took him to Swansea on a year-long loan last season.

Gomez scored 14 goals for the Swans in the Coca-Cola Championship and Martinez has wasted no time in bringing the player back to Britain.

Be still my beating heart! Another left-footed attacking middie coming to a small-market team near you. I'm just giddy.