Wigan Athletic are in the news for several reasons this week, from a former staff member's dismissal to a heavy home defeat and a important upcoming fixture. The club currently sits 24th in League One with just three points from five games, a situation that adds urgency to every development.

What happened to former assistant Glenn Whelan?

Former Wigan Athletic assistant manager Glenn Whelan has been sacked by Scottish Championship side Livingston after less than 100 days in charge. The Irishman paid the price for a poor start to the 2026/27 season, with the club failing to progress in the cup and taking only six points from five league matches. Livingston chairman Calvin Ford stated in a release that "mediocrity is not an acceptable solution" for the club.

Ford confirmed that former boss David Martindale and Frankie McAvoy would take temporary charge. The chairman's statement outlined a plan to use data analytics in the search for a permanent replacement. Whelan had joined Wigan at the start of the 2024/25 campaign under Shaun Maloney and left the DW Stadium shortly after Ryan Lowe's sacking last February.

How did the players rate against Stockport County?

Wigan Today's Paul Kendrick delivered his player ratings following Wigan Athletic's 4-0 home defeat to Stockport County at the Brick Community Stadium. The verdict highlighted a desperately disappointing day for the Latics. Kendrick's scores provided a sobering assessment of the team's performance in a match where they were thoroughly outplayed.

Goalkeeper Joe Whitworth received a rating of 6, with the report noting he was powerless to prevent most of the goals despite making a brilliant late save. The analysis pointed to individual struggles across the back line, with one defender described as fortunate not to be punished for a significant error. The overall picture was one of a team that looked uncomfortable and was easily frustrated during the heavy loss.

What is the context of Wigan's league position?

The heavy defeat to Stockport contributes to a concerning start for Wigan Athletic. The verified data shows the club is bottom of League One, having scored just five goals while conceding eleven. Their goal difference of -6 is among the worst in the division, and they currently trail league leaders Sheffield Wednesday by a full nine points.

This poor form sets the stage for a daunting next assignment. Wigan's next fixture is an away trip to face Sheffield Wednesday on September 12. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page. Climbing out of the relegation zone will require a significant improvement, and the match against the table-toppers represents a major challenge. The current standings show the size of the task facing Gary Caldwell's squad.

What did the opposition say ahead of the Stockport game?

A preview from Stockport County's official website before last weekend's match noted that Wigan came into the game on a high after picking up their first points of the season. The Hatters' preview, published three days before the match, referenced Wigan's 3-1 midweek victory over MK Dons. That win had lifted the Latics off the bottom of the table temporarily.

The opposition analysis described last season as one to forget for Wigan and their supporters, acknowledging the club's proud history which includes an FA Cup win in 2013. Stockport's preview framed the game as an opportunity for their own side to respond to a midweek defeat. The eventual 4-0 scoreline, however, told a very different story from the pre-match narrative.

Who are the key figures in this season's squad?

While the player ratings highlighted a collective off-day, individual performances will be key to turning the season around. This season's squad, which you can review on our squad page, includes players like Jensen Weir and Max Power, who scored in the midweek win before the Stockport defeat. Building consistency from game to game is the immediate priority.

The data indicates a need for greater defensive solidity and more potency in attack. With only one win so far, every point is critical. The team travels to face Sheffield Wednesday, who are first in the table, on September 12.