The Championship season gets underway this weekend and here Sports Mole assesses the chances of Wigan Athletic in 2013-14.
In:
Juan Carlos Garcia (From Olimpia Tegucigalpa, Free), Grant Holt (From Norwich, £2m), James Perch (From Newcastle United, £750,000), Scott Carson (From Bursaspor, £700,000), Stephen Crainey (From Blackpool, Free), Marc-Antoine Fortune (From West Bromwich Albion, Free), Chris McCann (From Burnley, Free), Thomas Rogne (From Celtic, Free)
Out:
Arouna Kone (To Everton, £6m), Mauro Boselli (To Leon, Undisclosed), Antolin Alcaraz (To Everton, Free), Maynor Figueroa (To Hull, Free), Peter Aylmer (Released), Albert Crusat (Released), Franco Di Santo (Released), David Jones (Released), Adrian Lopez (Released), Jonathan Lynch (Released), Callum Morris (Released), Filip Orsula (Released), Ronnie Stam (Released), Josh Sumner (Released), Ryan Watson (Released)
Last Season: 18th, Premier League
Manager: Owen Coyle
Three key players:
First game: Barnsley (A), Complete fixture list
Sports Mole says: Wigan were relegated from the top flight in May after flirting with it so much in the past few years. Relegation was the cruellest of punishments after their stunning run in the FA Cup, where they shocked Manchester City in the final at Wembley. That means that they will contest the Community Shield against Manchester United on August 11 and also feature in the Europa League this campaign. Many would argue that such commitments will hamper their league form, especially with a new manager at the helm in Owen Coyle. Losing Roberto Martinez and a couple of players to Everton makes it feel like a new era for the Latics, but Coyle is adept at this level and his transfer business so far is perhaps the most astute in the Championship. Holt, especially, should thrive dropping down a division after impressing with Norwich in the Premier League and a playoff charge is what is expected this season.
Predicted finish: 4th