Champagne start for Whelan’s Wigan
It is a wonderful new world for a team which gained league status in 1978 and Wigan owner Whelan is determined they will not be found wanting.
However, he admits it is difficult to recruit top players after being rebuffed in his bid to bring Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker to the JJB Stadium.
Whelan said: “I agreed a fee and he’s got a choice of Everton, Tottenham, Newcastle and Wigan. So where’s he going to go?
“He goes to Newcastle and I do not blame him for that. We do have a problem attracting players, yes definitely.
“If you are talking about rugby league players they all want to come to Wigan.
“If you are talking about footballers, they say ‘Where’s Wigan?’, who’s Wigan?’
“We have got to establish ourselves in the Premier League, stick in there and people will take notice.”
Wigan, once struggling in the backwater of non-league football, will have to hit the ground running, however, in their first crack at the top flight.
But Whelan is confident about what lies ahead. “We are not frightened of this league in any way shape or form.
“We have a good team now, we just need another three or four players.”
Chelsea may not relish the test at Wigan in their opening match and it will hardly be a walk in the park either for Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Gunners host Newcastle while Alex Ferguson’s side travel to Goodison Park and a match against fellow Champions League contenders Everton.
Everton manager David Moyes is looking for an action replay of last season when his side triumphed at home.
“We are looking forward to it,” he told the club’s website. “It was a terrific game last season.
“We will be prepared for the Champions League qualifier on August 10 so we will be ready for United.”
There are a host of good games on the opening day with shock European Cup winners Liverpool away at Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren said: “You are always excited about seeing the fixtures and we could not ask for a better one than facing the Champions League winners at home in our opening match.
“It is an exciting prospect and there should be a full house.”
Bolton, who will be competing in the UEFA Cup for the first time, travel to Aston Villa.
Manager Sam Allardyce believes his side has been given “a pretty reasonable start.”
They have two home matches against Everton and Newcastle following the opener at Villa.
Allardyce said: “For me every game in the Premiership is a difficult one. But with our UEFA Cup campaign and the international fixtures to cope with it is vitally important that we get our season off to a good start.
“Looking at the first three league games - one away and two at home - it appears to be pretty reasonable.”
Championship winners Sunderland kick off at home to Charlton while West Ham, who were promoted via the play-offs, host Blackburn.
The festive period is always a crucial time for clubs and this season is no exception with four matches scheduled in seven days from St Stephen’s Day.
The fixture lists appears to be kind to Chelsea during that spell as they meet teams who are not expected to be among the title contenders.
Fulham, Birmingham, Manchester City and West Ham make up the opposition.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Manchester United find themselves going head-to-head at Highbury on January 2. Over Easter Chelsea visit Bolton on April 15 before meeting Everton at Stamford Bridge two days later.
Then on April 29 they face United in a match which could have a bearing on where the title might end up.
The curtain comes down on May 7. Chelsea finish at Newcastle while United will be at home to Charlton. As for Wigan, they will end the campaign as they began it with a glamour match, this time as the last visitors to Arsenal’s Highbury stadium.
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