Wigan Athletic Sunday Review

What a week at the Latics, we`ve had two games and lots of transfer speculation and a new captain confirmed by the club

Last week saw Leighton Baines consider, then turn down a move to Sunderland.

Bainesy was up at The Stadium of Light to hear what Roy Keane had to say after the Latics had accepted a £6.5 million bid for him

Keane, although he wouldn`t admit it, was not best pleased by Baines`s knock back and took a parting swipe by saying to the press that Baines was waiting for a move to Everton.

Surely enough Everton stepped in with what can only be described as a derisorily offer of £4 million to be pain in instalments.

This was laughed straight back up the East Lanc`s Road

Everton have returned with the same financial offer but also attached a player to make up the difference, giving the Latics of the choice of either James McFadden or Lee Carsley

Now Hutch is a fan of Carsley`s but the midfielder has already turned down a move to the JJB once this season

Talking of midfielder`s, Michael Brown`s proposed move that was expected to be finalised last Monday is still running.

What ever the problems are it appears that Fulham, Brown`s club, are happy with the fee offered by the Latics

Sources say that the stumbling block is that Dave Whelan wants a clause in Brown`s contract halving the players wage should the Latics be relegated during his time at the club

On Wednesday Latics travelled to Bloomfield Road to take on Blackpool in the latest friendly

Mario Melchiot was named club captain shortly before the game and he had the privilege of leading the side out as official captain of Wigan Athletic

A strong Latics side won the game 2-1 with goals from Antonio Valencia and David Cotterill

Blackpool had ex-Latics favourite Mike Flynn in their side

Through out the week the Latics were linked with a host of players, Monaco striker Mo Kallon, Sheffield Wednesday left winger Chris Brunt, Toulouse winger Fodé Mansaré and Bolton`s Abdoulaye Faye

It appears these links were just paper talk or the work of agents trying to stir interest in their players

Next week will surely bring more news and gossip; there is also a game at Oakwell against Barnsley on Tuesday night and a trip to Elland Road on Saturday to face Leeds

What are your thoughts on the past week at the Latics?

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