Latics' Lack of Experience

Throughtout the summer, Bruce's relentless pursuit of Cattermole has been rebuffed by both manager and chair and whilst the public courting of Catt by Sunderland leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, the ultimate decision to sell lies with Wigan and they must carry the can.

Wigan are now in the situation that only one central midfielder can be viewed as experienced in the Premier League and that is Michael Brown who was largely a back up last season and is getting towards the end of his career.

The others such as Cho, Mc Carthy Watson and Thomas are untried at this level and need to be eased into the P.L. a luxury Wigan don't have.

Coupled with a forward line of the raw Rodellaga, the aging Scotland and the unproven Sinclair who has scored 5 goals in 5 loan periods at Cahmpionship level means that much will depend on the back four plus the mercurial N Zogbia.

With no adequate replacements brought in to replace Zaki, Heskey, Valencia, Cattermole and Palacios from the start of last season, then the bookies decisions to suspend bets on a Wigan relegation could be seen as a shrewd move.

Whelan and Martinez need to address the Cattermole sitaution urgently
and ensure that when the transfer window closes the squad is effectively strengthened.Otherwise we are in for a long hard season.