Wigan Athletic manager Gary Caldwell has spoken about the club's transfer window activity, while the rugby league side prepares for a major showdown. The Latics also secured their first League One victory of the season against MK Dons, moving them to 22nd in the table with three points from four games.
What did Gary Caldwell say about the transfer window?
In an exclusive interview with Wigan Today, Gary Caldwell described the final days of the summer transfer window as "crazy." He revealed he told former player and now agent Ben Watson about the unpredictable nature of late deals, with clubs changing their stances dramatically. Caldwell stated the club worked hard to improve the squad but was constrained by a new financial landscape, preventing some late moves.
"We tried very hard to make the squad better, right up the very last minutes of the window," Caldwell said. He admitted he wasn't completely satisfied but believes the business done was good overall. The manager pointed to the team's potential shown in the early league games, including a 3-1 win over MK Dons, as a reason for optimism. You can view the current squad composition on our squad page.
How did the rugby team's big game develop?
A crucial Super League clash this Saturday will see the Wigan Warriors face the Leeds Rhinos. The match is described as a "winner takes all" battle for the League Leaders' Shield, with both sides level on 40 points. Leeds coach Brad Arthur called it a "Grand Final before a Grand Final," while Warriors boss Matt Peet downplayed the impact of past big-game experience.
The Warriors are on a 13-match winning streak and lifted the Challenge Cup in May. Leeds, however, hold a significant points difference advantage. The outcome will heavily influence who finishes the regular season in top spot ahead of the play-offs.
What was the reaction to the MK Dons victory?
Player ratings for the home side after their 3-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic were low, describing MK Dons as "off the pace and distinctly second-best all over the pitch." It was noted that Wigan's three goals were "decent strikes" against a defence that "looked all over the shop."
This result gave Caldwell's side its first win and three points of the campaign. The Latics had started the season with three consecutive losses, leaving them bottom of the table. The victory, powered by a Jensen Weir double and a Max Power strike, improved their goal difference to minus two, having scored five and conceded seven so far. Check the latest standings for the full League One picture.
What's next for Wigan Athletic?
Attention now turns to the next League One fixture, an away trip to face Sheffield Wednesday on September 12th. Wednesday currently sit second in the table, presenting a tough challenge for a Wigan side seven points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. The club will be looking to build momentum from the MK Dons win during this break in the schedule. The full upcoming schedule is available on our fixtures page.
