Congratulations to Wigan Athletic Football Club on reaching the FA Cup Final, their first major final in the history of the club. Hats off go to Wigan owner Dave Whelan as well as manager Roberto Martinez and his players. The achievement of going this far in the tournament should not be overlooked. This is a massive day in the history of one of the smallest clubs in the Premier League.
As long as Martinez can keep his Wigan side in the Premier League for another season, this 2012-13 season will be seen as the greatest in the club’s young history (they only joined the Football League in 1978).
And now they’re on the verge of Europa League qualification.
“[Europe] is another step on history, Wigan coming from Lancashire combination we have got to Premier and yes we will be in Europe and it will be another part of history,” said Whelan.
Wigan will qualify for the Europa League if Chelsea finish in the top four this season.
Here are tonight’s Premier League news headlines:
- Dave Whelan says that Wigan being on the brink of Europe is another step in their history — Sky Sports
- Chelsea target Manuel Pellegrini to replace Rafael Benítez as manager this summer — Telegraph
- Real Madrid consider move for Andre Villas-Boas to replace Jose Mourinho — The Telegraph
- Millwall promise to issue life bans for FA Cup troublemakers — The Guardian
- Callum McManaman shows true side says Roberto Martinez — BBC Sport
- Manchester United seek Benfica’s Nemanja Matic to boost midfield — The Guardian
- FA denounce scenes of violence at Wembley — Sky Sports
- Brendan Rodgers believes Borussia Dortmund are the blueprint to follow — Sky Sports
- The rise and rise of Matija Nastasic, Manchester City’s rock — The Guardian
- Sunderland are close to announcing a new sponsorship partner to replace Invest in Africa — ESPN FC
- TV revenue distribution – comparing Italian and English models — Financial Fair Play
- How do you give stadiums atmosphere? — BBC World Service
- Laudrup is convinced there will be no mass exodus at Swansea City this summer — Evening Post
- Moyes says the door remains open for Phil Neville to become a member of his coaching staff — Everton
The Nightly EPL is tomorrow’s news today. It’s often tomorrow morning’s British newspaper headlines that are published the night before. We do all the work for you, combing the Internet and aggregating the news for you. Read The Nightly EPL on EPL Talk every night before bed, so you can stay on top of all the news that matters.
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They always do an amazing job avoiding the drop, yet fact is Wigan are not economically a PL club. Their town is a rugby town, they never fill a championship sized stadium, but man, can they stay up when everyone else writes them off.
Whelan should break out the checkbook for Martinez… He is solely responsible.
The problem with Wigan is that they don’t have enough support in their small town. It is a rugby town. It didn’t help this week that Whelan called for a minutes silence for Thatcher. She was not a popular figure and he didn’t do Wigan FC any favors. Once again I can see them not selling their allocation for the final at Wembley.
As far as the team and manager are concerned, most neutrals like watching them play and Martinez has done wonders with the squad he has had over the years. They have a tough schedule left in the league and it is going to be tough for them to stay up but if anyone can do it Martinez can. Should be an interesting next few weeks for them and the other relegation-battling teams.
The problem with Wigan getting into the Europa League is that they will have to spend to buy players to have a deep enough squad to cope and I’m not sure they can afford to. We shall see.
They will have a play in home and away… It all comes down to the draw. If they get a weak team then maybe, if the go down and draw a team with any reputation, you know full well the focus will be on getting back in the PL and the Euro Cup will be nothing but a distraction. It is jut a matter of money. Premier League football is much more desirable/profitable then the Euro Cup.
BRAVO Wigan hope you can finish off the deal.long live the minnows.