The Loan Report

Initial this post was going to be about the youth players that we would expect to see burst out to the Wigan scene next year. And when I looked at who we had, well I realised I could be here for quite sometime. So instead I decided to look at our young lads that went out on loan across the British Isles and see whether or not they are ready to make the step up to the first team.

I am going to start at the back of the field with the keeper and work my way down to the strikers. So that means I get to start with a player that I see big things ahead for. That is Liverpool born goalkeeper Lee Nicholls who for me will be the future for the position in the Wigan team.

Lee Nicholls

The keeper joined the club in 2009, the 19 year old keeper has gone from strength to strength, appearing for the England under 19's side once having gone to the international tournament with the squad in 2010. Many of the coaching staff have been impressed with his attitude and his performances, and has been an ever present in the reserve squad.

In February Lee we was loaned out to Accrington Stanley, were he made nine appearances for the side and impressed in his spell with them. Showing that when given the chance he can play at first team level. Which is a good sign for the future of what is a very talented keeper.

Roman Golobart

The young spanish defender is a favourite of Martinez who saw the talent in the player to bring him to Wigan Athletic in his first season in charge. Yet the player never got to show his talent has his first two seasons were dogged with injuries till last season. Where the player showed supreme ability in the reserve squad.

That got him a loan move to Inverness where over the course of the season, he played 19 games for the club scoring twice. Although he did notch three own goals in the process. It was a great season for the young defender and a great learning curve. Inverness boss Terry Butcher has expressed intertest in getting the player back on loan next season.

Which could be a possibility if Martinez feels that he can't get into the first team squad.

Rob Kiernan

The Republic of Ireland international who has captained at youth level. Is another up and coming defender for the club. He was signed from Watford in 2011 and has impressed at reserve level and in January was loaned out to Accrington Stanley for some first team experience.

On loan he made three appearances, where he showed signs of his ability. Yet he still needs more first team experience before he can be ready for the first team. It is likely that he will spend next season on loan at another club.

Daniel Redmond

A midfield player the club are very very excited about. Has risen up through the youth ranks due to a very strong technical ability on the ball. He was Reserve Team Captain due to his resilience and continual effort rate, showing signs of experience past his 21 years.

He is one that the club believe could be ready to break into the first team this season, after a great loan spell at Hamilton where he played 18 games and scored five goals in a 6 month spell. A player that we should all watch out for come next season.

Callum McManaman

A very much recognised figure at the club who has developed into a real gem for the club. He made a handful of first team appearances for the club before going on loan to Blackpool in the summer, where he had a very successful loan spell and Ian Holloway want to extended and even sign the winger permanently.

Which lead to the club keeping Callum for the second half of the season where he featured once, in our 2-1 defeat to Swindon Town. Yet he did not disgrace himself scoring the only goal of the game and being the best player on the park by a long way.

This season is going to be an important one for Callum and we all would love to see him break into the first team.

Nouha Dicko

So we reach the end with the player who replaced Callum at Blackpool. Dicko was signed last summer on a free after being released by Strasbourg. He played for Wigan against Crystal Palace in the League Cup. Is only first team appearance for the club and impressed much like he did for the reserve side.

That lead to the player making the move to Blackpool where he helped them come from nowhere to get a place in the play-offs and reach the final. In his time their Dicko played 16 games and scored 4 goals. Due to his sheer pace and ability to run with the ball he is such a dangerous player. And could make the step up to the first team this season.

Whatever happens this summer one thing for sure is that we have a group of young players that are developing into players who could set the Premier League on fire. Hopefully a few of the names above will get the chance this coming season to show it.