Wigan Athletic: The 12th Man (part 2) - 'For me, personally, I reckon it’s about time someone – anyone – was made to bear down or get off the pot....'

Paul Middleton:

Ah, the takeover. Even I think I’m starting to sound like a broken record. This week has brought fresh non-news to the longest running saga since we had to wait nine months to find out who shot JR. There's been a Covid vaccine developed, tested and approved in the time it’s taken three Spaniards to fail to convince the EFL they have any money. The name of the backer behind the Darren Royle/Ray Ranson fronted bid was leaked earlier this week, to add more to an already terminal experience. Until, that is, that the fella named came straight back to say it wasn’t him. Even though he follows the official Latics Twitter account. Even though he has no connection to Wigan, and has never tweeted about the club or town. So who do we believe? Do we believe the Twitter account of the national journalist who has broken accurate news on the takeover and who clearly has connections that go right to the top of somewhere important? Or do we just shrug it off as yet another bubble about to be burst? It’s not unusual, of course, to see leaks come direct from the interested parties, as a way to gauge public reaction. Until something breaks, we really have no idea. Speaking of breaking things, there are rumblings that Begbies are about to pull the plug on the Garrido Cristo/Spanish exclusivity arrangement. Personally, I’ll be surprised if they do that. If Begbies do end exclusivity, they have to give the Spanish team their deposit back. If the EFL pull the plug, Begbies get to keep the cash. It’s therefore in Begbies’ interests to sit on the money forever, if that’s what it takes. They cannot bill any more hours to the admin process, so don’t want to actually have to do any more work, which they would certainly have to do if they had to deal with new bidders. For me, personally, I reckon it’s about time someone – anyone – was made to bear down or get off the pot. It’s said only one of the three Spanish bidders have been able to pass the Owners and Directors Test - and that’s the man with the money. How true that is, we might never know. But it doesn’t bode well after nearly 10 weeks. Either the EFL or Begbies need to get things moving. So what if the Spanish bid gets pulled? Will we see bids from Tony Frampton or Ray Ranson’s team? It would seem odd if we didn’t, but this whole sorry mess has been anything less than routine, so who knows? As for Frampton, he is keen to point out that the money behind his bid will not just invest in Latics, but in the town, and talks of emulating the Manchester City model and how the regenerated east Manchester. Truth or fiction? Again, time will tell. Or not. It’s exhausting, to be honest. But, ever more in hope than expectation, tomorrow is a new day, and may bring new developments. The problem is that it’s always the hope that kills you.

Matt Auffrey:

Wigan Athletic has now been without owners for so long that if our administration were an octopus, it would be throwing an ‘over-the-hill’ party in the near future. We have been stuck in the 11th hour of this takeover for a seemingly endless period. It is almost like the EFL has constantly been traveling west, going from timezone to timezone to avoid the clock striking 12 and having to make a final decision on the status of the Spanish consortium. In ‘Groundhog Day’, Bill Murray relives the same day over and over again while he undergoes a personal transformation. Latics fans can surely relate to such a phenomenon. When the EFL decides the date can finally change for us, will we awake alone or with the company of new owners who can impact the fate of our club for the better? When the exclusivity period for the Spanish was extended several weeks ago, we expected a decision to be reached within a matter of days. Days have turned into weeks, but it appears we may finally be on the verge of some meaningful news. Unfortunately the misfortune of a winless November for the first team has carried over into December. Latics followed up last week’s draw against Bristol Rovers with an hour of quality football at Lincoln on Tuesday. Kal Naismith returned from injury and solidified his status as the best player on the pitch by breaking a scoreless deadlock with a well-taken second-half goal. But the unfamiliar lead did not last long enough to produce a positive result by full time. Playing so well away from home against a side currently sitting second in League One was encouraging. There were moments where I thought the reintroduction of Naismith would be enough by itself to turn the tides for good and propel Latics into winning form. The reality is the club not only needs to sign multiple players in multiple positions to bolster our squad for the second half of the season – and we need to strike gold with these signings. Achieving mid-table form by spring may not be enough to see us rise out of the relegation places. We may need to be playing as well as play-off sides to close the gap between ourselves and whichever team sits in 20th place. While many fans have already resigned themselves to accepting a fate that involves a spell in League Two for 2021, I will not concede so easily. As far as we may be from the team that shook up the Championship last season, our quality is not that far off many of our peers in League One. If we can make it through January with several key players retained, and several more added who can provide quality upgrades throughout the pitch, we can give ourselves a fighting chance within this division. Saturday will provide as good of an opportunity as any to start that turnaround against a managerless Sunderland side that has produced a streak of results nearly as uninspiring as ours over the past month. It may just take an appearance from ex-Latic Will Grigg on the opposite end of the pitch to reignite the fire this club needs to survive.

Martin Holden:

Numb to it all. That seems to be the feeling across a good section of the supporters just now. Numb to the defeats, numb to the effort the young lads are putting in, and numb to just how long the EFL can drag this process out. The defeat at Lincoln was so disappointing, not because I thought we would win, but just the fact we played quite solidly for the first time in ages, and actually looked like we might get something. Then another poor refereeing decision (the free-kick) and some poor defensive work cost us, and all that effort was gone. It’s been said so many times, but it’s the hope that kills you. I think I have felt the lowest and most despondent this week than at any other time during the admin process. We have reached a point now where you can actually see the club dying day by day, week by week. According to the admins a few weeks back, we would be lucky to see Christmas. Then they said we have enough to just about see the year out. But I think we are truly in the last chance saloon now. It’s the Spaniards or liquidation I fear. Purely because the cash will run out, and there isn’t time for anyone else to have a crack at it (Of course, the wonderful EFL, who love all clubs, might chuck some cash our way to help, but I doubt it). On September 30, the admins announced the successful Spanish bid. Just let that sink in. Horrific.

Brett Woosey:

Another weekend approaches, another week without a decision from the EFL, and more questions than answers regarding our potential Spanish overlords. It’s a worry, no doubt, as we approach the January transfer window. The triumphant return of Will Grigg and the shrewd poaching of Oliver Giroud (one for the social media ‘Tics) is looking less likely. My gut feeling is the Spanish will eventually get approved, and if not there seems to be a viable alternative with the Royle/Ranson bid. It’s the damage this delay is doing to this season that’s hard to stomach at the minute. But I’m sure we’d all prefer to get the right owners in no matter how long this all takes. On the pitch, we’ve had terrible luck with injuries, and two senior pros walking away to join some made-up team over in India hasn’t helped. I’m desperate for these young lads to get some luck, and get some help...players like Adam Long and Kyle Joseph have huge potential, but they need support. Friday could be a huge day for this club, to be fair though every day for the past six months has felt like this. The mantras of ‘Believe’ and ‘Keep the faith’ have never felt more important.

Tony Moon:

An idea came to me the other night watching ‘I’m a Celebrity;, when Mo Farah said the line: “Can I have some more, Sir?” from Oliver. That triggered a thought...

Who will buy our wonderful Latics?

There’s surely somebody who wants our team;

Preferably no-one dodgy or risky;

Just anyone to end this horrible dream (nightmare didn’t rhyme !).

Supporters Club got out their e-buckets ;

Collected coppers and a fair few quid too;

Some angels out there have really dug deeply;

Just to save the team in white and blue.

The Yanks were first, loaded but frugal ;

They wouldn’t pay near the going rate;

Move us to Leigh? Tha con get on thi bike lads;

Stump up the money or get through yon gate.

Iberian euros then came as the saviour;

Even spoke with Roberto, our prince;

Got the track record in Spain’s lower reaches;

Not once, but twice, but can they do it near Ince?

Then the cat was truly put amongst t’ pigeons;

He said he reckoned that his mate’s the best fit;

A HK Indian who was gonna save Wigan (and it’s schools and hospickles);

But no deposit, so he’s sucking hind teet.

And then there’s more, there’s the Triple Rs lurking;

Even though one says he’s not the main man;

But why the hell so late at just coming forward;

Can’t they see the club’s about to fall down the pan.

So back t’ Spanish, are they nearly done yet?

Th’ EFL are really taking their time;

Is there a chance that they’ve been a touch naughty?

Are they fit and proper, or involved in a crime?

It’s getting too much, I think we’re all nearly done now;

How hard can it be to get across the damned line?

When all we want is to cheer these young lads on;

Wigan Athletic: You Are My Sunshine (even though it’s ruddy miserable outside)...

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