Rob's Prediction: Wigan Vs Blackpool

It hasn't been an easy summer for anyone associated with Wigan Athletic, nor has it been made any easier by the reported story that Charles N'Zogbia wants to leave the club, but with all respect, are clubs like Sunderland and Stoke really a step forward? If I were him, I'd rather be wanting to go to a club with aspirations which meet his own and I'm sorry to say I don't believe that either of these two clubs will provide him with what he wants.

Nevertheless, Wigan have done well in the transfer market in the summer, bringing in Mauro Boselli, who I feel will score quite a few good goals and also, if we can hang onto Hugo Rodallega and utilise Victor Moses quality, we could be in for quite an interesting season ahead. Moses did well last season and I think he could surprise a few teams next term. He's proven he's good enough to play at this level and with him and Rodallega potentially patrolling the wings with Mauro lurking, teams could be in for a tough ride both at and away from the DW Stadium when Wigan come a knocking at the door.

Blackpool have had an immense last few months and have found themselves in the top division for the first time in a long while and that's all down to the leadership talent of Ian Holloway and the team as a whole, who never stopped believing and it was their dramatic 3-2 win over Cardiff at Wembley that has seen them here today. Nevertheless, I predict a stunning start from Holloway's men but the reality will soon hit the Blackpool boss as the season gets underway and his team and also with a heavy heart, relegation looks a strong possibility, unless they can produce a minor miracle, but its certainly not beyond doubt. The Premier League is unpredictable, Blackpool fans. Nobody gave Wigan or Hull a chance when they first came up and
they've proved they can last the distance. Sadly in Hull's case, it was only for two years, but there is a lot of belief to be had.

Roberto Martinez will be eager to relinquish the nightmare he suffered at Bloomfield Road and the team will be licking their lips, eager for revenge. However, the opening day's a funny old thing and shock results are usually the order of the day so I'm really quite nervous about this one, especially with three of our last four games being 2-1 losses on the opening day of the season.

ROB'S PREDICTION
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This is a tough one and I think Wigan could quite well be up against an energetic Blackpool side. I do believe that Holloway's men might just pull off an unexpected result at the DW and that won't be a tragic thing, necessarily. Wigan 1 Blackpool 2

ROB'S FINAL THOUGHT
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Why do so many berate Wigan in its entirety? It does surprise me, but yet, I do think we're not going to get relegated. I wonder if any of the so-called pundits bother to look at the fixtures. I guess they haven't otherwise they'd see what really worrying fixtures Wolves have at a particular point in the season. WBA and Blackpool will be the other two for me. WBA the yo-yo team and Blackpool, well, a one flight wonder, but I have enormous respect for what Blackpool have managed.

Good luck to all teams this season and may it prove to be another roller-coaster!

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