Classy Latics tower over Blackpool

THE Premier League has fallen out of love with Wigan a little but beyond the grey perception of a half-empty ground in a rugby league town, there is side brimming with youth and vigour.

It feels like such a long time since the Latics have brought us any fun, half a decade since they felt fresh as Paul Jewell’s team pushed to a top-half finish after coming up from the Championship with the likes of Leighton Baines, Jimmy Bullard and Lee McCulloch relishing their shot at the big time.

Dave Whelan kept spending, funding a squad that coughed up the wages for players like Emile Heskey and Chris Kirkland to fill the squad.