Jacko Impressed with the Latics

Matt Jackson hung up is playing boots this week and retired from professional football at the age of 36 after 20 years in the game, 6 of those years spent at the JJB

Jacko won honours not only with the Latics but also with Everton where he was an FA Cup winner

So what does captain fantastic Jacko think of the Latics and their chances for the new season:

"I think they can do well this season. They seem to be a very solid side, the manager has made some very good signings."

"Full credit to Steve Bruce. He came in when the club were in trouble at the bottom and stabilised them."

"This time they could really do with a solid season, no threat of relegation, just a nice mid-table finish."

"If Wigan could do that for the next two or three years they could start thinking about the next step forward."

"Each year a club stays in the Premier League it boosts its financial base, something which is so important these days."

"The longer you stay up, the less upheaval at the end of each season. You can just add two or three players to the squad, rather than the eight, nine or 10 signings newly-promoted or newer clubs tend to make."

"The longer a club spends in the Premier League, the more of an advantage it gets."

"This is Wigan's fourth season there, and you can see their squad has a nice depth. The players are all comfortable playing at that level."

"When you're newly promoted, clubs take risks with players who haven't got Premier League experience."

"I should have chance to see a few more Wigan games this season now I've retired."

"I'm still in touch with a few players, talk to Kevin Kilbane a lot, Mike Pollitt and myself studied together for our 'B' licence coaching badge."

Nice one Matt and it will be good to see you down at the JJB again next season.

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