Player of Month: January's Player of the Month is.....

The Scottish midfielder never really seemed to get the chance to show what he was capable of in the Wigan side. After an impressive few substitute displays last year, you felt it would only be time before the McArthur variety of James' at Wigan would be in the starting 11.

Yet January 2012. 18 months after originally signing for the club. The central midfielder has manged to get into the starting line up. And it looks like he has always been there and always will be.

His dynamic style of play was always going to make him a hit with the Wigan faithful. His never say die attitude and willingness to chase down every ball, shows why we bought him, and why he will go on to an important part of our midfield for the remainder of the season.

James got into the side through luck really. In that Mohamed Diame went off to the African Cup of Nations. Yet it won't be by luck that James remains in the side. He may not be a great passer of the ball. And he may not score many goals (although his goal this weekend will probably be one of his most important).

Yet his ability to keep going and continually track back and be a thorn in attacking players side, is a must play feature. They don't grow on trees.

What gets me though, is why Diame and McArthur aren't started to get in the holding roles. Then you allow McCarthy to do what he does best and get forward and attack teams. Yet instead we have Gomez playing the forward role. That was a bit of a digression, but it has annoyed me since Momo's return.

So well done to Mr McArthur, we looked forward to seeing more top notch displays.