The Twenty Questions: Wigan Athletic
Paul Farrington
wiganer.net editor
20 year old student from Wigan
Supported the club since 1992
Supported the club since 1992
What was your first game?
I can't remember much of it, I wasn't very old. I have still got the programme though. It was Reading in 1992 at home. I think we lost 3-1!
Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?
Most memorable has to be the Auto Windscreens Cup win over Millwall, Paul Rogers scoring right at the end.
Then it is a tie for worst game between Gillingham in the playoff final where we lost in extra time, and the 5-0 away defeat to Bristol Rovers in the Third Division. There were about 50 away fans and we cheered our first shot halfway through the second half!
Then it is a tie for worst game between Gillingham in the playoff final where we lost in extra time, and the 5-0 away defeat to Bristol Rovers in the Third Division. There were about 50 away fans and we cheered our first shot halfway through the second half!
Who do you consider as your current local rivals, and why?
Preston and Bolton as the main ones, Preston for the recent derby history especially. Burnley, Stoke and possibly Crewe in recent years as we've had some cracking games.
Who are the best and worst players you have seen?
Best would have to be our current front two, Ellington and Roberts, possibly Premiership quality.
Worst is probably John Pender or Mark Leonard from our Third Division days. I wasn't born when we were a non-league side.
Which current or former Rotherham player impressed you most?
I was going to say Sedgewick but he's at Preston now! I can't remember his name, but you have a young striker who came on at the JJB last season and scored. Quite a quick nippy striker, so I'll go for him.
How did you fare last season?
We missed out on the playoffs on the last day of the season. Brian Deane scored a late goal for West Ham! Never liked him since.
What's been happening since you beat us 2-0 at your place?
We've had a blip, three defeats over in four games over Christmas was not good but we are still up there at the top so I can't complain. Andreas Johansson has been brought in from Sweden, although our game is supposed to be too early for him.
How do you think you'll finish up this season?
My heart says Champions but I think we'd settle for top two. After such a good start you hope the team can keep it up and gain automatic promotion.
If Wigan were a TV personality, who would it be and why?
Hmmm. I don't watch much television, but I'd have to go for Ken Barlow. Sometimes a little boring, other people don't normally like us, but consistant and hard-working.
So what do you think of The Millers?
Relegation material. I'm sorry but I have to be honest. Especially with the defeat to Yeovil!
Wigan's more of a Egg Chasing town, you must get frustrated with your crowds given that your pushing for the Premiership?
Not anymore. The average attendances are very close. An average rugby game attracts the same as a football one, its just the derby's with Saints that push their average up. The crowds are frustrating but who wants glory hunters joining the bandwagon?!
Is your manager barking mad?
No. He just gets the best out of players. All he asks is 100% commitment. It's working.
Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Yes. The club is well run at the minute. Mr Whelan (Chairman) is not happy with the police at the minute as they are charging too much to police the ground on matchdays.
Which team do you want to beat the most this season and why?
It was West Ham after the playoff situation last season, but we've already done that, we beat them 3-1 at their place :-)
What sort of line-up can we expect from you?
4-4-2. It's rarely anything different. We may be quite direct with the pace and power of our front two but can also pop the ball around a bit. The midfield selection will be the interesting one with six players battling for four positions.
Predicted score?
Predicted score?
2-0 Wigan. Roberts (2)
Who's going up?
Ipswich, Sunderland and ourselves (fingers crossed)
Who's going down?
Yourselves (sorry!), Forest, Cardiff. Gillingham and Ternant will get out of it.
Meat & Tatty, Beef n Onion or Chicken Balti?
Steak and Kidley
MillersMad would like to thank Paul Farrington and Wiganer.net for facing the MillersMad 20 questions.
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