No Graeme, this isn't the Titanic!

Chris Hutchings has been sacked as manager of Wigan Athletic and the search for a new manager has started. Was now the right time to remove Hutchings or would waiting have proved smarter?

Clearly Hutchings was the victim of inheriting a poor squad and not being given the chance to improve it further.

Of the summer signings made by Hutchings none stand out as being bad and most are the stronger members of our current squad. It seems to be the later Paul Jewell purchases that are causing trouble for the squad.

Julius Aghahowa, Fitz Hall and David Cotterill are the first three to spring to mind. Many more left in the summer who were well beyond their sell by date and Hutch was seemingly given few funds to replace them.

It has been stated before on this site that Hutchings wasn't given sufficient backing from the club's hierachy and left to see what he could do on the cheap. Our net spend in the summer was little more than £500,000.

The only man to blame for such a shortfall of cash has to be our chairman, Dave (rent-a-quote) Whelan. As a result of Whelan's tight-fistedness and, injuries to key players, most notably, Emile Heskey and Antonio Valencia we have been struggling for results.

Six defeats on the bounce and Mr Whelan has chosen to lay the blame at Hutchings door, clearly opinions are divided as to whether this was right and only time will tell.

At this point that it is worth saying thank you to Chris for his years service to Wigan Athletic and all he has done for the club during his time here.

The club were languising in what is now League One when he and Paul Jewell joined the club. Two promotions later and we are living the dream in the top flight.

Without doubt there is a managerial role for Chris out there although he will more than likely become number two at another Premiership side sooner rather than later when a certain Mr Jewell takes over.

For the time being, and Wigan Athletic, the search is now for a new manager. Names being linked are those of Graeme Souness, Peter Reid and Glenn Hoddle. Managers who have not got the best of track records.

Personally, I'd like to see Latics legend and current Swansea boss Roberto Martinez given a go, or Paul Ince from MK Dons. What they are lacking in experience they make up for in enthusiam, after all, Graeme Souness is experienced in the art of relegation and little else. He couldn't buy his way into Wolves.

Whoever comes in, he must be given the support of the board and that includes the cheque book. Wigan Athletic are in trouble on the pitch and a messiah is needed.

Paul Farrington
WIGANER.net

Comments

[NR]

An excellent piece by Mr Farrington. Ridiculous that Hutchings should be sacked already. Wigan very narrowly escaped relegation and spent no money so how exactly did Mr Whelan envisage they would be in a significantly better position this early in the new season especially when further handicapped by key injuries. The most precious commodity of all is time not money - difficult to find anyone who will bring a quick fix but one thing is for sure none of the current 'bookies favourites' would be good for the club!!

[GH]

God help you if it's Souness my friend.