Wigan Athletic Player of the Year

Article by Tom Ottley

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As it's close to the end of the season, the Player of the Season vote become inevitable. At Wigan Athletic the fans also get to have their say on who they believe becomes POTY, and who better to decide than the fans, because after all they pay to watch the team play, they must see something special if they’re willing to spend their own money to watch.

If you are still undecided, or have not really watched Wigan this season, I have listed my top 5 players, and I’m going to explore why they deserve this award.

I’m going to start off with midfield ace, James McArthur.

In pre-season it was hard to imagine the midfield being the same after the departure of James McCarthy, leaving for Everton on the last day of the transfer window. But the departure of McCarthy forced McArthur step up. He now bosses the midfield, both defending and attacking. McArthur this season has played a deep role, playing the ball from the back and then sitting just in front of the defence. When Rosler came in and began playing with wing backs, he started filling in when the side are caught on the counter attack, as well as becoming a centre back once or twice, covering other players when they were attacking. This has been a big season for McArthur, even taking the captaincy on several occasions following the injury of Ben Watson. He took this on unbelievably well, helping the younger players get their confidence and feel more in control when they have the ball at their feet. If there had to be a negative, it would be his goal tally, despite scoring four goals whilst playing in a defensive position, he could have scored at least double.

The only new, permanent signing that has made my top 5 is James Perch.

Probably best remembered this season for his goal against Manchester City in the quarter final of the FA Cup, I have not picked James Perch for his goals but for his defensive displays. Under Rosler he began playing wing back, his stamina was ridiculous. He was always up and down the wing. The most impressive thing about Perch was best displayed when he made an error. One one occasion, after a bad pass 30 yards from the oppositions’ goal, Perch chased all the way back to retrieve the ball for the Latics. He became better and better defensively every week and with Callum Mcmanaman playing in front of him he no longer had to worry about going forward, When he has the confidence he will attack forward. One of the best things about him, making him a great signing, is that he can play across the back four, and is also being able to play in a holding midfield role.

Then we come to the Spanish midfield maestro. Jordi Gomez.

Personally I love him. He is such as classy player, but my love for him isn’t the only reason for his inclusion in my top 5. I picked him because this season, especially under Uwe Rosler, he has really stepped up. Much, much better than last season. He began tackling and chasing back, but this is expected of a midfielder in the Championship and is also the quality that separates him from the rest as well as possessing great vision.

His passing is out of this world, often splitting defences, often putting a winger behind the opposition defence with a cutting through ball. Aside from his passing he is also the out and out creative midfielder, with a handful of assists this season and even assisting the assistor. He has also been scoring goals, 11 so far, ranging from screamers, to very important penalties and match deciding free-kicks. The negatives (and this is for you to decide), are that he goes down easily. When Gomez is on the ball he seems to have all the time in the world. This is great when Wigan are winning, but not the best when chasing the game as he tends to get caught with the ball, which is often right in front of his own defence.

Another defender in my top 5 is Ivan Ramis.

Ramis, when he has been fit, has been the backbone of the Wigan Athletic side: The rock in defence. Throughout the season he has always stepped up under the pressure of big games, as well as being one of the best players under both managers. Ramis would also much rather play the ball along the floor and start the play from the back rather than just hitting a long ball. He also been great at tackling and rarely gives a foul away. I believe the only negative about him is his rumoured fall out with Uwe Rosler, after his transfer to Palace fell through, which then led to him playing for the reserve team. If this rumour is true then I’m sure Rosler will win that one!

The final selection in my top 5, and can I remind you that they aren’t in order, is Nick Powell.

Although Powell isn’t a permanent Wigan player, he was the stand out player for the first half of the season, playing in a handful of different positions throughout the season, and has probably been the only player to produce under both managers. Nick Powell is also Wigan Athletics top goal scorer with 12 goals so far and with another game left he will be looking to up his tally. He tries to get the ball and run at defenders and has been shining in every match, as his confidence has improved then so have his performances.

The only negative is that he is going back to United at the end of the season. So Uwe has started planning for the future without him.

Who is your choice for Wigan Player of the Year? You can make your choice on the Wigan Athletic website and on our Twitter account @e_wigan.

www.wiganlatics.co.uk/fans/POYVote.aspx

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