Weekly De-Brief: Wigan Athletic's challenging run to Christmas starts now.
The second international break of the season is now over, with two Latics players progressing to the next stage of the 2025 Euro U21 Championships.
The second international break is now over, and League One football returns for (hopefully) another successful run of results for Wigan Athletic.
Shaun Maloney and the coaching staff have continued to work hard on the training pitch as they look to help our squad turn these draws into wins and keep our impressive defensive performances going.
Five Latics players have been away with their international teams, and return to Christopher Park with mixed emotions on how the last week has unfolded.
Let’s dive into what we saw this week and try to make some sense of it 👇🏼
Part One: Latics on the international scene.
Part Two: The twelve games ‘till Christmas.
Part Three: The weekly de-brief.
Part Four: Academy and Women’s round-up.
Part Five: Our next week.
Latics on the international scene 🌍
Over the international break, five Wigan Athletic players left the squad to represent their nations in the two remaining 2025 Euro U21 qualifiers.
Sam Tickle - England U21s 🏴
Calvin Ramsay - Scotland U21s 🏴
Baba Adeeko - Ireland U21s 🇮🇪
Thelo Aasgaard - Norway U21s 🇳🇴
Dale Taylor - Northern Ireland U21s 🟢
England U21s already had a place secured in the next phase of the summer championships qualification process, whether that be an automatic admittance to the finals in Slovakia as one of the top three runners-up from the nine groups, or entered into a two-leg Play-Off as one of the remaining six runners-up with a lower points total from the ten group games.
Ben Futcher selected James Trafford (Burnley) to play in goal for the first game against the table toppers, Ukraine, where England completed a last-minute comeback to close the gap to just two points with one game left to play. If you haven’t seen James McAtee’s quick-fire brace in the final moments, go and watch the highlights tonight!
The Young Lions hosted Azerbaijan in their final game, with Ukraine visiting Serbia. James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Brighton) was given the gloves in England’s final game, meaning Sam Tickle remained unused throughout the break. England secured an emphatic 7-0 victory, which put them top of the table due to Serbia beating Ukraine. We’re going to Slovakia! 🏆
Scotland U21s had plenty of work to do if they were to remain in the competition, with games against Belgium and Kazakhstan standing in their way. Belgium were level on points with the Scots in second place coming into the break, while Kazakhstan were down in fifth.
Ramsay was named on the bench for both games, making only a seven-minute appearance against Belgium where the Scots lost 2-0. Scot Gemmill kept Ramsay on the bench for the entirety of the Kazakhstan clash, where the Scots lost 3-2. Belgium lost their final game against Hungary, so a win for Gemmill’s side would have given them at least a Play-Off run. Heartbreak 💔
Norway U21s and Ireland U21s both competed in the same group, with only one of Baba Adeeko or Thelo Aasgaard able to secure that crucial second place for progression.
The two Latics midfielders met in the first game, which was a cagey encounter for the better part of an hour. Sean Roughan (Lincoln City) opened the scoring in the 75th minute, with Adeeko coming on during the celebrations to help Ireland fight for the lead. Aasgaard then came on in the 80th minute to try and help Norway level the game and keep their push for second place alive.
A rasping shot from our Norwegian in the 90th minute was palmed into the path of Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica) who secured a vital point ⚽
Ireland U21s faced Italy U21s in their final game and they needed a win to keep hold of second place regardless of the result between Norway and Turkey. A draw would not have been enough if Norway won.
Baba Adeeko started, but Ireland were set back after Cesare Casadei (Chelsea) gave the Italians the lead in the 23rd minute. A missed penalty by Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United) in the 37th minute gave Ireland hope, and just after the hour mark, captain and birthday boy, Andrew Moran (Stoke City), levelled the game to make for an exciting end.
Thelo Aasgaard was named on the bench against Turkey but entered the game in the 84th minute when Norway were 5-0 up. An injury-time consolation goal for Turkey was never going to be enough, and a draw for Ireland was also not enough to hold on to their second place.
Heartbreak for Baba Adeeko and Ireland U21s who will not continue in the Euros, but a huge congratulations to Thelo Aasgaard and Norway U21s who progress to the next phase 🫡
Northern Ireland U21s were already unable to progress in the Euros, but their remaining games against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg would give them a chance to finish on a high.
Dale Taylor started in both games, featuring for 74 minutes as NI beat Azerbaijan 5-0 at the Ballymena Showgrounds, and 84 minutes in the 0-0 draw against Luxembourg with NI dropping to 10 players in the 72nd minute following a red card for Charlie Allen (Linfield FC).
With England and Ukraine performing to a much higher level than their fellow competitors, it was always going to be hard for Northern Ireland to compete for the top two places but they put up a strong fight and can be proud of their campaign 👊
The Play-Off draw will be held at 12:00 CET on Thursday 17th October, where Thelo Aasgaard and Norway U21s will find out if they have to play either Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, or Georgia in a two-leg tie to make the finals.
England, and potentially Norway, will then await the final tournament draw on December 3rd, which will provide all of the details ahead of the 2025 Euro U21 tournament in Slovakia next Summer.
The twelve games ‘till Christmas 🎄
Turning our attention back to Wigan Athletic, we now have twelve games until Christmas in which we could progress higher up the League One table, qualify for Round Two of the FA Cup, and qualify for the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.
In League One, Latics will face Cambridge United (A), Mansfield Town (H), Blackpool (A), Wycombe Wanderers (H), Burton Albion (H), Barnsley (A), Huddersfield Town (A), Leyton Orient (H), Bolton Wanderers (A), and Shrewsbury Town (H).
Four of those teams (Cambridge, Burton, Shrewsbury, and Orient) are currently below us in the table, with only this weekend’s trip to Cambridge being an away day. Last season, Latics struggled far too often against sides lower down than us - Cheltenham Town if the first to come to mind - and the true signs of strong progression within this squad will be defined and analysed based on these results.
Mansfield and Wycombe are the only two sides in this run who are currently in the top six, while Blackpool, Barnsley, Huddersfield, and Blackpool join Latics in a tight midtable.
We have a wide range of opponents to play, and continuing our strong defensive performances to pick up points where we can should be the main priority. Goalscoring has been an issue throughout our season, but at this stage, I will be happy to see us draw games if we are struggling to win. The January transfer window is not too far away, and if Maloney feels he has to make some key decisions to help us turn draws into wins, then so be it. I trust the journey while we might not be moving up the table quickly in this period.
Our FA Cup First Round opponents were announced on Monday, and Latics will take the journey back up the M6 to face Carlisle United for the second time in three weeks at Brunton Park. This is like deja vu to playing Exeter City twice in a similar timescale last season, and we won both of those games. Let’s hope we can do the same this season.
Finally, on November 12th Latics will host Nottingham Forest U21s in the remaining EFL Trophy Group Stage fixture. After a disappointing loss against Morecambe, a convincing victory over Carlisle has given us something to hold on to going into this final game.
Whether we can beat Forest in the 90 minutes, or on penalties, that will see us qualify for the knockout stages. If Carlisle can beat Morecambe, then Latics could finish top of the group if we can swing the goal difference in our favour.
The weekly de-brief 🤔
Some exciting personal news happened this week, as the Progress With Unity Podcast was named as a Northwest Football Awards Finalist for the 2023/24 Fan Media, Channel, or Podcast of the Season! 🏆
I joined the Progress with Unity team two years ago, and have loved contributing to every episode and trying to bring valuable insight into our performances and the opposition.
The nomination could not have happened without all of the hard work Barry puts into recording and producing every single episode, plus all of the work he does with the Latics community outside of the episodes, but I want to thank everybody who listens and continues to support everything we do! 💙
I also talked to The Redmen TV this week to discuss how Luke Chambers and Calvin Ramsay are getting on in their loans from Liverpool. You can view an extended clip of the talk here 👇
Sam Tickle was also named as a finalist in the categories of 2023/24 League One Player of the Year and The Athletic Rising Star of the Season.
Our number 1 has been nominated as Player of the Year alongside Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Brendan Wiredu (Fleetwood Town), and Jon Mellish (Carlisle United). In the Rising Star nomination, Tickle has been named alongside Chris Conn-Clarke (Altrincham), Lucas Koleosho (Burnley), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Adam Mayor (Morecambe), and Junior Luamba (Salford City) 👏
Another rising star within Wigan Athletic’s Academy, Kai Payne, has joined Oldham Athletic on a one-month youth loan in the National League. The Oldham Latics are currently 6th in the table after 13 games, with 6 wins, 5 draws, and 2 losses.
I have been mightily impressed with Payne when he has featured for the first team, and this will be a great development loan in another senior football setting. I will share how he gets on throughout the upcoming weekly de-briefs 🫡
Academy and Women’s round-up 🔵
Wigan Athletic Under 18s hosted Barnsley U18s in the U18 Professional Development League on Saturday, with our visitors picking up eight points from their opening eight games. Latics were fresh off back-to-back league defeats against Burnley and Birmingham and went in search of getting the season back on track.
👕 Starting XI: Trialist (GK), Alex Hughes, Mason Goulding, Sam Bolland, James Knott ©, Liam Flight, Christy Edwards, Charley McKee, Cole Simms, Harrison Rimmer, Harrison Bettoni
🔄 Subs: Rohan Taylor, Oscar Harris, Lewis Wilson, Oliver Fairhurst, Henry Miller
Latics started the game well and forced the Tykes keeper into some good saves. However, it was Barnsley who opened the scoring in the first half through Malachi Mbogda. Cole Simms was denied an equaliser just before the break, with his goal being ruled out by the linesman, but moments after the restart the promising forward got his goal.
A strong end to the game was not enough for Latics to secure the full three points, but it is another point on the board and closed the door on the recent run of defeats.
🏟️ Wigan Athletic U18s 1 - 1 Barnsley U18s
⚽️ Goals: Simms (47’)
Wigan Athletic Under 21s travelled up the coast to face Fleetwood Town U21s in the U21 Professional Development League. The Cods had won two and drawn one of their opening seven games leading up to this one, with Latics picking up just one point in our last three games.
👕 Starting XI: Trialist (GK), Llyton Chapman, Luke Robinson, Jack Rogers ©, James Knott, Trialist, Leo Graham, Tyrese Francois, Oscar Harris, Finn O’Boyle, Maleace Asamoah
🔄 Subs: Jake Spaven, Charley McKee, Sam Bolland, Harrison Rimmer, Trialist
Chris Brown provided starting places in the team for Robinson, Francois, and Asamoah, who are rebuilding their fitness after injuries. Harrison Bettoni was suspended following a red card last time out.
An uneventful first half saw the sides enter the break level at 0-0, but two quick-fire goals within fifteen minutes of the restart put the Cods 2-0 up thanks to Toby Oliver and Owen Davenport.
Latics U21s are struggling to find any momentum this season, and have now picked up just five points from the opening ten games with the only win coming when first-teamers; Tom Watson, Toby Sibbick, Kai Payne, Scott Smith, Josh Stones, and Maleace Asamoah featured.
Like last season, I expect this one to be focused on individual developments rather than pushing for emphatic victories. I trust our Academy for producing exciting talents, and I look forward to seeing more youngsters like K’Marni Miller gain opportunities to play for Shaun Maloney.
🏟️ Fleetwood Town U21s 2 - 0 Wigan Athletic U21s
Wigan Athletic Women had a weekend off, but return to action this weekend in our first Challenge Cup tie against Blackburn Eagles who we beat 4-1 at the Brick on September 8th thanks to an Ellie Cleary hattrick and a Molly Hassall free kick.
Our next week 🗓️
Friday 18th October | Stoke City U21s vs Wigan Athletic U21s | Central League Cup
Saturday 19th October | Cambridge United vs Wigan Athletic | League One
Saturday 19th October | Wigan Athletic U18s vs Sheffield United U18s | U18 Professional Development League
Sunday 20th October | Wigan Athletic Women vs Blackburn Eagles | Challenge Cup
Tuesday 22nd October | Wigan Athletic vs Mansfield Town | League One
Tuesday 22nd October | Wigan Athletic U21s vs Burnely U21s | U21 Professional Development League
On Thursday (17th October), I will have a full match preview for our game against Cambridge United, followed by another full match preview for our game against Mansfield Town on Monday (21st October). So, make sure to subscribe and check back tomorrow! 🫡
Up the Tics 🔵⚪️
🙌 Thank you for reading!
✍🏼 Charlie Keegan / Central Wigan
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