All’s well at Wigan if Gary’s in charge
IF WIGAN can harness Gary Caldwell’s optimism then they will be dead certainties for promotion, but the rebuilding job at the DW Stadium remains in progress on the evidence of the campaign so far.
A disappointing defeat in the Capital One Cup at home to Bury followed the loss to Coventry last week, which was a grim way to mark their first fixture in League One for 12 years.
It has been some comedown for the 2013 FA Cup winners, but in fairness manager Caldwell is still fine-tuning his squad – his loan capture of the young Tottenham striker Shaquile Coulthirst last week was his 16th signing of a very busy summer so far.
He’s also brought in Jussi Jaaskelainen, instantly adding a wealth of experience to his goalkeeping ranks, yet it’s up front where Caldwell is promising vast improvement.
“I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight. There are a lot of new faces and a lot of people still getting to grips with having a new club,” he said.
“It will happen – I think you can see signs of improvement and we’ll keep working hard on the training pitch.
“Once it all clicks into gear for us we’ll be a really exciting team.”
Doncaster themselves are going into the game on a big high after winning a penalty shoot-out to settle a nerve-jangling Capital One Cup tie against Leeds United in midweek.
Forward Dany N’Guessan remains a doubt after missing the Leeds game due to a foot injury, though there could be returns for Paul Keegan and Richard Chaplow.
But one near-certainly on the teamsheet is Andy Williams – a player that Doncaster manager Paul Dickov admits has been a revelation since his arrival from Swindon.
“The more Williams is in the team and his fitness gets up and the more he plays with the James Coppingers, the Richie Wellens, the Harry Forresters he will do really well for us, because his movement is fantastic,” said the 42-year-old Rovers boss.
“It’s easier to lift yourself up for Wigan when you’ve won the game.”