Wigan Starting XI - 07/08

Post by **Latic** » 28 Jul 2007, 00:44

This is an early stab! Guys I'm not sure about this AT ALL! Will update this nearer the beginning of the season.

-----------------Kirkland------------------

Melchiot (c) Granqvist Bramble Baines *

-----------------Scharner-----------------

Landzaat--------Sibierski + ------Koumas

----------Heskey-------Agahowa---------

* Kilbane will act as left back should Baines be sold. Another left back wil be brought in if Baines moves. Robinson of West Brom heaviily linked with Wigan.

+ Sibierski has a thigh strain and may not start the first couple of games as he has missed a lot of pre-season. If he does not start then I'd expect Landzaat to move into centre-mid with Valencia on the right wing.

Off the bench: Emerson Boyce (RB, CB), Fitz Hall (CB), Dean Cotterill (MR, FW), Kevin Kilbane (DL / ML), Valencia (MR), Josip Skoko (ML / MR) & Caleb Folan (FW) will feature. Henri Camara (FW) perhaps.....

Useful Links:

http://www.soccerbase.com/teams2.sd?teamid=2783

http://www.4thegame.com/club/wigan-athl ... all-squad/

http://fiso.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27868

Post by **kevchenko** » 30 Jul 2007, 12:09

No Scharner you don't think then?

EDIT: So he was there all along, really must get new specs.....

Post by **murf** » 30 Jul 2007, 12:11

deleted

Post by **RidleyMTB** » 30 Jul 2007, 13:56

I feel that Valencia will play mid as been playing all pre-season?

Post by **Latic** » 30 Jul 2007, 17:56

RidleyMTB wrote:I feel that Valencia will play mid as been playing all pre-season?

True. He's been playing right mid. This could be due to either Sibierski not being fit or he's very much a 1st teamer.
My opinion at the moment is that he'll be rotated or play when sibierski plays as a forward.
New manager you see - they're hard to read

Post by **mephisto** » 30 Jul 2007, 18:58

cant find any injury news on sibierski..could you confirm when he is likely to play?

Post by **Latic** » 30 Jul 2007, 19:21

mephisto wrote:cant find any injury news on sibierski..could you confirm when he is likely to play?

A thigh strain. I don't know how long he is out. There are two friendlies this week so keep an eye on those.

Post by **mephisto** » 30 Jul 2007, 19:29

thank you

Post by **zippybungle** » 03 Aug 2007, 08:58

Any ideas how the signing of Michael Brown will affect the team?

Post by **Latic** » 03 Aug 2007, 09:21

zippybungle wrote:Any ideas how the signing of Michael Brown will affect the team?

Not really.

My first thought is that Brown could replace Scharner in mid, with Scharner (who for me is a nailed on first teamer) moving into the centre of defence.

He could also play with Scharner in a more defensive minded centre midfield.

Sorry to be vague. Have a look at the friendly V Leeds tomorrow.

By Sunday I'll stick my neck out and try to name the starting XI (sorry to be so vague at the mo but I'm not sure).

One thing I will say about the signing is that the midfield (a definate problem area last season) is now a bigger and more competitive unit and gives me a lot of hope for our season ahead.

Post by **Achilles** » 03 Aug 2007, 09:25

He is suspended for the first two games and after that - it depends on the outcome of these matches. Perhaps Brown will be challenging Landzaat and Scharner for a place in the middle. Good tackling partnership with Scharner for the away games

Post by **Latic** » 03 Aug 2007, 09:33

Achilles wrote:He is suspended for the first two games and after that - it depends on the outcome of these matches. Perhaps Brown will be challenging Landzaat and Scharner for a place in the middle. Good tackling partnership with Scharner for the away games

Thanks Achilles I forget about the suspension.

A Scharner and Brown combination would make a tough barrier!!!

Post by **el_pappje** » 03 Aug 2007, 11:58

I'm afraid I've lost some of my affection for Wigan after Brown's signing. After a couple of his horrific challenges in the last couple of seasons I'd rather he never grace the Premiership again. Oh well.

What is the likelihood of Valencia getting a game? Presumably Koumas and kilbane will likely start on the flanks?

Post by **Maradona_Is_God** » 03 Aug 2007, 15:13

I was convinced that Wigan would go down this season, but they actually have a decent first 11.

I would go for this team though -

----------------------Kirkland-----------------------

Melchiot-----Sharner-----Bramble------Robinson

Valencia-----Landzaat-----Sibierski-----Kilbane

--------------Heskey-------Agahowa-------------

SUBS: Nash, Granqvist, Koumas, Skoko, Camara

Post by **Carlos M Figueiredo** » 03 Aug 2007, 18:42

What?? Koumas on the bench?? i dont believe it

( instead of Sibi )

Post by **eppytaff** » 03 Aug 2007, 21:11

Carlos M Figueiredo wrote:What?? Koumas on the bench?? i dont believe it ( instead of Sibi )

Besides anything else, I understand that Koumas will certainly have the chance to stake a claim for the place because Sibierski is currently injured.

Post by **Latic** » 04 Aug 2007, 12:34

el_pappje wrote:What is the likelihood of Valencia getting a game? Presumably Koumas and kilbane will likely start on the flanks?

I would say that Koumas & Landzaat will be on the flanks. Valencia I don't think will be first choice right now. Early doors he may start depending on Siberski's fitness (see my first post on this thread).

Post by **Latic** » 04 Aug 2007, 12:39

Maradona_Is_God wrote: ----------------------Kirkland -------------------

Melchiot:)-----Sharner (Into MF I think)-----Bramble ------Robinson He has not signed for wigan.....the deal is dead in the water!!!!!

Valencia -----Landzaat -----Sibierski -----Kilbane

--------------Heskey -------Agahowa -------------

SUBS: Nash, Granqvist, Koumas, Skoko, Camara

Good to see an alternative view.

Post by **Latic** » 04 Aug 2007, 22:42

The team that I think will be selected for the opening match at Goodison Park:

-----------------Kirkland------------------

Melchiot(c) Granqvist Bramble Kilbane

-----------------Scharner-----------------

Valencia--------Landzaat ------Koumas

----------Heskey-------Agahowa---------

Bench: Pollit (g), Sibierski, Boyce (doubtful), Cotterill, Folan.

Granqvist & Bramble are automatic choices for a couple of games at the very least.
Scharner will need to be deployed as the DM due to Brown's suspension.
Kilbane - the only choice at Leftback.

Sibierski - not match fit and so probably will not start
Brown - Suspended for two games

Post by **Hairybear** » 07 Aug 2007, 21:24

I'm glad i checked this thread. Fitz Hall has no chance of being in the first 11 then and Granqvist isa cert??

I'm doing a Wigan block in one of my teams. Nice start and i don't think they'll be pushovers like many think

Post by **Latic** » 07 Aug 2007, 22:23

Hairybear wrote:I'm glad i checked this thread. Fitz Hall has no chance of being in the first 11 then and Granqvist isa cert??

I'm doing a Wigan block in one of my teams. Nice start and i don't think they'll be pushovers like many think

A Wigan semi-block is a possible for me also.

Fitz Hall really didn't impress me last season. I've gone for Granqvist and Bramble as that's the partnership that's been together for most of the pre-season matches.

Having said that both Hall & Emerson Boyce have had niggling injuries pre-season and may come into the reckoning soon.

Granqvist is seen as "one for the future" more than anything else. Thus, he may not be a permanent feature in the defence. He was signed by Wigan last winter on loan and the move made permanent in the summer. Having only made one start for the latics last season, some may view him as a bit of a CK?

My bet is that he'll start on Saturday at Goodison. How well he does and if he keeps the place is up to him & a matter of time !

........and remember we've all been wrong before !

Post by **Superpool** » 09 Aug 2007, 18:28

no Emmerson Boyce to play in defence?

Post by **Latic** » 09 Aug 2007, 21:03

Superpool wrote:no Emmerson Boyce to play in defence?

Due to not too many pre-season minutes under his belt this season I would guess at no for the game at Goodison. Definately in contention for the games after.

Like (I hope) I've stated clearly so far this is merely a guess at the starting XI on Saturday

Post by **kevchenko** » 10 Aug 2007, 12:39

Scharner doesn't appear to be in the squad for weekend if anyone can shed any light?

Post by **Latic** » 10 Aug 2007, 22:30

kevchenko wrote:Scharner doesn't appear to be in the squad for weekend if anyone can shed any light?

Looking into it!

Post by **admin** » 10 Aug 2007, 22:39

kevchenko wrote:Scharner doesn't appear to be in the squad for weekend if anyone can shed any light?

Is that a BBC squad list? BBC often get things wrong.

Post by **Latic** » 10 Aug 2007, 22:43

admin wrote:
kevchenko wrote:Scharner doesn't appear to be in the squad for weekend if anyone can shed any light?
Is that a BBC squad list? BBC often get things wrong.

I think so. The BBC doesn't have him listed.

Can find no injury news etc. and he's not suspended............or has someone bid for him now ......

Post by **Hairybear** » 10 Aug 2007, 23:10

kevchenko wrote:Scharner doesn't appear to be in the squad for weekend if anyone can shed any light?

Post by **Hairybear** » 11 Aug 2007, 11:04

Anyone know yet whether Sharner is in the squad or not? Only 25 mins to the FPL deadline closes

Post by **snout** » 11 Aug 2007, 11:07

Hairybear wrote:Anyone know yet whether Sharner is in the squad or not? Only 25 mins to the FPL deadline closes

He's not listed in the squad in the MuEN preview.

FISO