Match Preview: Wigan Athletic vs Reading

A summer full of football has felt quite empty to me. Most likely because England crashed out of the World Cup quicker than you can say Wayne Rooney. So instead we were treated to a Germany World Cup win, which you have to say they deserved. While all that was going on another German (Uwe Rosler) was busy chasing targets as he prepared a Wigan Athletic team for a promotion charge.

Our six summer signings are to show for a summer of hard work chasing leads, unfortunately we have lost a few player along the way. Most notably the departures of Jordi Gomez and Jean Beausejour, one heading to the Premier League and the other back home to Chile. What we have so far in their place, is three very competent full backs; one La Liga staring striker; and two central midfielders.

It does mean that the team which will play to do is going to be very hard to choose, that is once you throw in the absences of Shaun Maloney, James McClean, Ben Watson and Chris McCann all of whom are out for the foreseeable future. James McArthur and Marc Antoine Fortune could be doubt ahead of the game and may not be risked.

There have also been some academy graduates this summer who look ready to fight their way into the first team. Most notably the trio of Ryan Jennings, Tom Chow and Frazer Fyvie. They have all feature in some soft of role over pre-season and it wouldn't surprise me if any of them are included in the team for today.

As for Reading this summer has been one full of promise, and what looks most like disappointment. A rumored takeover fell by the way side, and couple that with the failure to bring in any transfer targets for a large portion of the summer, the past 24 hours proving fruitful as Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie sign from Nottigham Forrest, you wonder if Nigel Adkins side will have that new impetus to drive on this season.

Last season the Royals just missed out being pipped at the post by Brighton. They will want to go better this season and the target for them, much like ourselves will be promotion back to the Premier League. Following a very mixed pre-season though will Reading be ready. They finished off last week with a 3-1 defeat to Swansea, having managed to wins in their pre-seaon games at Exeter City and Wycombe Wanderers.

As we all know though, nothing is certain on the opening day of the season. Wigan for a track record on the opening day is not great. We do have a tendency to lose games, hopefully this year will be different. If we want to be challenging for the title this season we need to hit the ground running and show everyone in this league that we are not going to be messing around.

Well boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen; lets sits back and enjoy the ride.