This summer is one of the most important in Wigan Athletic’s 91 year history. After one of the most tumultuous season’s in living memory both on and off the pitch it is absolutely vital that the club change their staff structure, their budgets and of course their recruiting processes and playing squad in order to truly begin this new era in the correct way.
This time last summer I spoke about the importance of lowering the average age and increasing the sell on value of the squad in order to make the club more sustainable from a financial perspective. Signing players who still have room for development also creates an exciting atmosphere around the club and means that, in theory, we improve year after year.
There are enough experienced heads around the club despite what is set to be a mass clear out this summer, so my focus is on identifying and highlighting some of the most realistic and sensible transfer targets Latics could take a look at in the transfer window. All of the options fit a much smaller wage structure that the club will be operating with, and the majority are free agents or loans.
To get an idea of my thoughts about the 2022/23 squad check out my squad review articles I posted earlier on this month. There you’ll also find a rough estimate on the money I’m expecting us to free up and spend in League One. I’d suggest taking a look at those first before coming back to this and the other sensible transfers articles!
Before we start, a few disclaimers!
All of my sensible transfers articles have been planned, researched and written prior to the club releasing their retained list ahead of the 2023/24 season so are all subject to change.
These articles are written under the assumption that off field matters are resolved in good time and no more issues are on the horizon. The club has accepted a four point penalty at the start of next season but should that become eight points I’d imagine several players on my shortlists will become unavailable.
The wages, contract length and transfer value have all been taken from Transfermarkt which is a reliable but not necessarily 100% accurate website so don’t take those figures as gospel.
And last but not least, these are JUST opinions. I’m not pretending to be a recruitment expert, these are just some suggestions that I like the look of!
Current Options and Profiles
You can check out my thoughts on the current options in my squad review articles that I posted earlier in the month, I came to the conclusion that Tom Pearce is the only Wing Back at the club I would keep around. Firstly, he’s the only one contracted beyond this summer and he’s arguably the best of the bunch too.
James McClean, Joe Bennett and Tendayi Darikwa should all be moving on which means we need another LWB to compete with Pearce for the first team spot, as well as a couple of RWBs to provide competition with each other on that side of the pitch too. The wing back position is somewhere that I’d be more than happy to see us use some loans in order to fill out the squad, but we need at least one RWB on a permanent basis.
The wages saved by releasing those three players is somewhere around the £18k a week mark, could be much higher or lower the truth is no source is truly reliable. I know that we’re massively scaling back our spending in League One so I’d expect us to have around £10-15k wages to spend on our WBs. These players will fit within that budget.
The WB positions in Shaun Maloney’s system are vital and it’s imperative that we get the recruitment right. We need pace and dynamism out wide, players who can beat a man and get us up the pitch but also willing to get back and make up the back 5 when out of possession. Crossing ability is always important but I’m also going to be looking for players who have a good range of short, medium and long passing in order to work in our possession focused system.
That’s the skillset I’m looking for. It is unlikely a club at our level will be able to attract a player who possesses all of those attributes but these are some of the best and most realistic options out there, starting with Left Wing Backs.
Option One – Harry Boyes
Team: Sheffield United
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2025
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: The first name on my shortlist is Sheffield United youngster Harry Boyes who has spent the 2022/23 season playing his football in League One. The first half of the campaign was spent at Forest Green Rovers and the second half at Sincil Bank for Lincoln City, and he shone at both clubs. Very much a forward thinking LWB and the data shows how good he is going forward. Excellent 1v1 dribbler and balances risk/reward well with his play in the final third. Defensively not particularly strong but continually improving as he grows physically, positionally very smart for a player of his age. Unsure how well he’d fare in a side that looks to retain possession but would provide a real threat in transition and on the overlap, two things we really lack. Wouldn’t come here to sit on the bench and is similar in quality to Pearce so if he and his parent club have faith in his abilities we could be the perfect destination to take the next step in his career. Would make sense for all three parties.
Option Two – Jack Sparkes
Team: Exeter City
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Jack Sparkes has confirmed that he’ll be leaving his boyhood club Exeter City this summer and a move to another League One club looks almost certain. Might seem strange to rate somebody released by Exeter so highly but don’t think his ability is the reason behind his exit from St James Park, more the need for a change of scenery. Really decent first season at League One level and looks to have a pretty well-rounded skillset for a player of just 22. Defensively good enough to not be exposed, especially in front of a back 3, and will improve under Shaun Maloney I’m sure. Going forward is where he’s most comfortable and is really threatening with the ball at his feet on the left wing. Would say he’s very Tom Pearce-like which might hinder him if we’re looking for different profiles on that side, but continuity is also a nice thing. Not lightning quick but gets past a man well too, crosses from deep much more than from the by-line which allows for underlapping runs too. Signing Sparkes on a free transfer would be a great pick up and he’ll only rise in value at the club.
Option Three – Rio Adebisi
Team: Crewe Alexandra
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Players like this excite me because the rewards they bring if things go well are plentiful. Rio Adebisi has had a good season in League Two with Crewe and could be ready for a shot at League One football, albeit not as an out and out starter. Signing someone like Adebisi would make Tom Pearce our first choice LWB and give him an exciting understudy to mentor and rotate in and out of the squad when our first choice needs resting. Aggressive defensively and willing to do the dirty side of the game which is something that can’t always be said for WBs. Sensible in possession and would again improve under Maloney’s tutelage and in a system that encourages bravery on the ball which can’t really be said at Crewe. Poses more of a goal threat than most on this list and attacks his post regularly which could be a nice path to goal if we bring in a good crosser at RWB. Not someone who immediately improves our starting 11 but long term could be a wise investment.
Option Four – Sean Roughan
Team: Lincoln City
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Another Lincoln City man and another player I’ve had my eye on for a while now, Ireland youth Sean Roughan. The 19 year old has enjoyed regular football this season and is comfortable as a LWB, LB or LCB which I always like when signing somebody. As you’d expect from someone with experience across the backline he’s an accomplished defender and puts up really good numbers in that part of the game. Not the best in possession but doesn’t really have to be in Lincoln’s system so don’t read too much into those numbers, based on his raw skillset I believe that side of his game will improve with time. Has work to do going forward in all facets of the game and looks slightly clunky when running with the ball but as a ‘utility man’ who can come on and sure things up he’d work well. Like Adebisi his arrival probably wouldn’t displace Pearce from our best XI but provides great squad depth and would get lots of minutes in cup games and off the bench. In a few years we’ll regret not signing players like Sean Roughan.
Option Five – Dan Harvie
Team: MK Dons
Wages: £4k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: £250k-£350k
Overview: A week or so ago this was going to be my number one target but unfortunately Dan Harvie has had a one-year contract extension clause triggered at MK Dons. It means it’ll cost money to bring him in which makes it much less likely but there’s undoubtedly a real player in there and he’d be at his best in our system. It’s similar to the one he thrived in under Liam Manning at Stadium MK and would have no problem slotting in at Latics, improving our first team squad in the process. An aggressive and solid defensive mindsight paired with a brave and forward thinking mindset in possession, Harvie probably has the most complete skillset of all the players on this list. The main problem with this is the money it’d cost but if offers for Tom Pearce come in, which they may well do, he could be a good replacement with the funds.
Option Six – Brandon Fleming
Team: Hull City
Wages: £7k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Brandon Fleming needs a move to kickstart what could be a really good career. Having spent the first half of the 2022/23 season warming the bench at boyhood club Hull City he made the move on loan to Oxford United and got some minutes under his belt. Despite moving for more game time he didn’t play vast amounts of football but enough to prove that he’d be a great pick up for a League One club as a left-sided operator. The data shows his impressive defensive ability as well as his willingness to get forward and threaten the opposition in the final third. Lacks some ideal physical attributes but makes up for that with his deep crossing ability and good decision making, but it’s worth saying he won’t offer us that dynamism on the counter attack. Also on a pretty sizeable wage that would have to decrease if we were to get him.
Option Seven – Jack Armer
Team: Carlisle United
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2026
Estimated Cost: £400k-£500k
Overview: Another player who probably wouldn’t join Latics unless Tom Pearce is sold, Carlisle starlet Jack Armer. The fact the Cumbrians tied Armer down on a contract till 2025 is incredible business and it means they’ll be able to command a high fee for him which probably puts him out of contention for a move to Latics right now. If there is some money to spend he’d be a great investment because as you can see in the graphic above, he’s wonderful. Defensively sound, comfortable in possession and a bit of a goal threat too which is always nice, he’ll only continue to get better too. Slight concern with his ball carrying ability but it’s a small blot on a great report, just a shame he’ll probably end up outside of our price range.
Option Eight – Ethan Bristow
Team: Tranmere Rovers
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: £200k-£350k
Overview: The final name on my shortlist is Ethan Bristow, one of Tranmere Rovers’ standout performers in an underwhelming season at Prenton Park. Another player with a complete skillset, Bristow is a really athletic and powerful runner and at 6’2 takes some stopping when he gets going. Dominant defender and decent in the air as you’d expect, Bristow pairs that solidity with good attacking talent which sees him put up some really impressive attacking numbers. Would cost money given the fact he’s got another year left on his contract but shouldn’t be too much, probably would be covered by the money we’d bring in from a Tom Pearce sale. Expect him to move early in the window though so we might not get chance to move for him.
Conclusion
As I’ve touched upon already if Tom Pearce stays at the club next season we’ll only need to bring in one LWB to provide competition in that position. The lack of funds available to us this summer means the only players we should be looking at bringing in alongside Pearce are free transfers or loans, whereas if he’s sold there might be some money to spend. Harry Boyes would be a great loan signing, as would other youngsters like Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Robbie Fraser (Rangers) and Jordan Hackett (Newcastle) who I couldn’t show data visuals for.
Jack Sparkes, Rio Adebisi and Sean Roughan are all really exciting free agents who would make great understudies to Pearce and could develop into prize assets. Brandon Fleming is another solid option with a lot of potential but I do have some doubts around his wage demands and injury record. If Tom Pearce is sold that’s when we should turn to players like Dan Harvie, Jack Armer and Ethan Bristow and put those funds to good use.
Now let’s move on to the Right Wing Backs!
Option One – Josh Cogley
Team: Tranmere Rovers
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: I mentioned above that Ethan Bristow was one of Tranmere’s best performers last season, Josh Cogley on the opposite flank was too. The 27 year old has been well known in the EFL for a few years but this was definitely his best season to date and will have attracted attention from clubs in league One I’m sure. Defensively very solid, particularly in ground duels where he wins well above average and would be more than comfortable as a FB in a back 4 too should we make a tactical switch. Really good on the ball as the data shows, excellent delivery that’s seen him rack up an xA of 6.2 last season and is well above average with his dribbling and crossing numbers. Looks to be an accomplished passer who’d work well in our system, for me he’s the perfect fit for our first team. Probably has 3-4 years of his best years left in him and could be the ideal starting RWB to come in with a younger prospect below him in the pecking order, or to mentor the likes of Kieran Lloyd and Yousuf Chentouf.
Option Two – Josh Key
Team: Exeter City
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: One of the stars of Exeter City’s young, academy graduate filled squad who shone in the 2022/23 season under Matt Taylor and then Gary Caldwell. Josh Key has been offered a new contract at St James Park, unlike the aforementioned Jack Sparkes, but whether he signs it or not isn’t certain. He’s probably good enough to move to a top League One club and if Latics book our ideas up off the pitch that’s what we’d be, making players like Key accessible. He’s a good defender and has experience playing RCB too which is nice, engages his opponent well in wide areas and would provide the security Shaun Maloney is keen to have in defence. Going forward he’s been good too and looks like he’s going to keep improving which is always positive. Think he’ll benefit from being freed up a little more when he has the ball, something that wasn’t always the case at the Grecians. I imagine there will be more lucrative offers for Key out there but if they can’t offer him first team football, we certainly could.
Option Three – Tom Hamer
Team: Burton Albion
Wages: £1.5k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: I wonder if even Tom Hamer is surprised at the quality of his performances this season. Burton Albion continue to punch above their weight in League One and RWB Hamer has been key to their success as a standout performer. At 6’2 he’s a real threat in the air and defends the back post very well which is something our WBs struggled with last year. Played in a direct Burton team so his pass completion isn’t much to speak about but is forward thinking with the ball at his feet and a willing runner. Would assume he fits into the ‘good guy’ culture we’re always keen on as Burton are similar in that sense, leadership roles at both clubs he’s been at despite his young age. Strong creator and possesses a bullet throw in which is a nice trait to have, providing we utilise it better than we did Max Power’s attempts this season. Has been offered a new deal by Burton but a move to Latics would be a step up for him and one he’s more than capable of making.
Option Four – Tennai Watson
Team: MK Dons
Wages: £2.5k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Unlike Dan Harvie, Tennai Watson hasn’t signed a new contract at MK Dons following their relegation to League Two and will be looking for a move back into League One. The dynamic RWB would bring pace and trickery to our side in wide areas and is a real threat on the counter, a key quality we’ve lacked since the departure of Nathan Byrne. He’s not just an attacking force though, Watson puts up good defensive numbers and locks down the right flank more often than not thanks to his good positional awareness and recovery pace. Has played in a possession-hungry MK side so would fit the system well and would probably have more freedom to express himself under Maloney as we’re not quite as focused on ball retention as his former club were. A move back to League One seems likely and he may be snapped up quick, Latics should move early for Watson if they fancy him.
Option Five – Kane Wilson
Team: Bristol City
Wages: £5k
Contract: 2025
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: I’ve been a huge fan of Kane Wilson for a couple of seasons now and I was gutted when he joined Bristol City last summer as I really thought Latics had a chance of getting him. Unfortunately for him he barely got a kick at Ashton gate last season and it feels like he needs a loan move to prove his worth, ideally in League One. The graphic above shows the data from his POTS winning year at Forest Green in 2021/22 and as you can see he’s deadly going forward. In a free flowing system that encourages aggressive and forward thinking WBs he’s one of the best around and Latics should seriously consider making a move if he’s available. Defensively he’s not too strong, maybe why he hasn’t been trusted in the Championship, but with a strong defence behind him he’ll thrive. Players like Kane Wilson make football matches exciting and I’d love nothing more than to be excited watching Latics again.
Option Six – Ryan Cooney
Team: Morecambe
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Perhaps not the most glamorous name on the list but a very functional RWB who’d be a good squad player to have around. Ryan Cooney was one of the better performers in the Morecambe side last season and will have a few League One teams keen on him this summer. Whilst I’d say there are better options out there who improve our first team more than Cooney does, he’d add wonderful depth to our squad and I’d like to see someone like this brought in as well alongside a first choice RWB. He’s a solid defender and got a lot of practice in a Morecambe side that did lots of defending last season, although he’s not too good aerially. Going forward he puts in a good cross and is a very effective dribbler, albeit without being lightning quick. At 23 he’s got the potential to turn into a really good player and this is about as low-risk a signing as we could make this summer.
Option Seven – Finley Back
Team: Nottingham Forest
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: Nottingham Forest youngster Fin Back is next on my shortlist following a successful season on loan at Carlisle. Similarly to Jack Armer on the left side, Back is an all action player with bundles of energy and nice technical attributes. Good in the air and 6’2 so more than capable of handling himself in a physical battle but can be caught out positionally with lapses in concentration which are best demonstrated by his low amount of interceptions / blocks. Looks handy going forward and willing to get shots off from the corner of the box which adds a new method of attack to our team. Another solid option but would prefer a permanent move as he’s not quite first team ready yet. In an ideal world our five loans will be starting players and unsure if Back is there just yet. Would be a good signing all the same.
Option Eight – Junior Tchamadeu
Team: Colchester United
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: £400k-£500k
Overview: If Latics weren’t a basket case right now he’d be higher up the list, but unfortunately it feels like Junior Tchamadeu will be out of our price range this summer, even though the fee is nothing compared to the stupid money we’ve spent in the past two years. The Colchester youngster has proven he’s too good for the fourth tier and a move higher up the ladder looks certain. A fierce attacking force who netted five times last season, JT is only gping to keep getting better which is an exciting thought given how he’s performed this season. Excellent physical attributes paired with the technical ability of a midfielder, whoever signs him will have their RWB position sorted for the next few years. If we can stump up the cash and manage to convince him we’re an attractive prospect I’ll be very shocked and even more delighted. Keep an eye on where he ends up this summer.
Conclusion
I should probably let you into an industry secret before I continue. Just as I was about too start this section the news of our four point deduction came out and may well have made all the content above irrelevant! Nevertheless under the assumption that Al-Jasmi sorts himself out and gets the club on stable footing again, let me assess some of the options I’ve suggested.
Josh Cogley, Josh Key and Tom Hamer would all be incredible signings but I fear they may all be signed up to new clubs by the time we’ve got our act together. Tennai Watson is another free agent who’ll attract offers and if Latics can push ourselves to the front of the queue for his services that’d be nice as he’d bring something totally different to the club. Speaking of completely different, Kane Wilson would be a quality signing and someone I expect to shine if given game time. I can’t see him getting it at Bristol City so a cheap loan move makes sense for him, us and them. Fin Back and Ryan Cooney are probably the most likely arrivals and would certainly add quality to the side, but I’m not sure either are first team level players just yet, although no doubt they could be if given time to develop. Signing Junior Tchamadeu would be a lot more likely had the club been settled off the pitch, but I can see him signing for a more stable club and good luck to him if/when he does. There’s a chance he could go to a high end Championship club and be loaned out though, watch out for that possibility arising.
They’re my suggestions, now its over to you! Do you like the sound of any of these players, if so which ones and why! Which players weren’t mentioned that you think should’ve been and why? Feel free to leave any feedback on my twitter account @danwafc03!
Talking Wigan 