After promotion from League One, The Latics avoided relegation in their first season back in the second-tier.
Wigan won’t want to be involved in a relegation battle this season and will be hopeful of securing a mid-table finish.
The club lost a number of key players in the transfer window and will be expecting some of the new recruits to plug the gaps and steady the ship.
Last season
The 2018/19 campaign was Wigan’s first season back in the Championship, after gaining promotion the previous season.
It began well, with the club picking up five wins in their first nine matches. However, six loses in their next nine matches saw Wigan plummet down the table and never recover.
The Latics finished the season in 18th place; twelve points clear of the relegation zone.
Next season
Wigan Athletic must score more goals this term in order to propel the team up the table; no player reached double figures for the club last season.
Joe Garner and Nick Powell were the joint top scorers with eight goals each. With Powell leaving the club for Championship rivals Stoke City and Wigan failing to sign a recognised striker in the transfer window, the team’s struggles look set to continue.
The loss of Callum McManaman will also affect the team’s performances this season. He has joined Luton Town and his creative wing play will be sorely missed.
Manager Paul Cook has now been with Wigan for two full seasons, leading the team to the League One title in his time with the club.
While two years may not seem like a long time, this continuity will be key to the club’s chances of progression this season as many other clubs in the division have changed their manager.
They may not be promotion contenders, but an improvement on last season’s 18th place finish will be seen as a success.
Players in
Jamal Lowe – €2.70m from Portsmouth
Antonee Robinson – €2.20m from Everton
David Marshall – Free from Hull City
Lewis MacLeod – Free from Brentford
Daniel Gyollai – Free from Stoke
Dujon Sterling – Loan from Chelsea
Joe Williams – Undsiclosed from Everton
Players out
James Vaughn – Free to Bradford City
Shaun MacDonald – Free Rotherham United
Callum McManaman – Free to Luton Town
Jamie Walker – Free to Hearts
Dan Lavercombe – Free to Flyde
Nick Powell – Free to Stoke City
Devante Cole – Loan to Motherwell
Owen Evans – Loan to Macclesfield Town
Darron Gibson – Released
Jonas Olsson – Released
Predicted league finish
The predicted league finish for Wigan Athletic is 21st. The Latics have a weak squad and avoiding the drop will be their main aim.