Championship Update: No One Horse Race This Year

Over the weekend and mid-week it became very apparent that we (Wigan Athletic) were going to drop slowly into the bottom three. The reason for this? Other teams around us starting to pick up their form and actually score goals and win games, the 3-1 battering by Bolton a prime example of this. Fulham have now not lost in their last six, and it means only Birmingham and Blackpool are worse of than us.

After all the seasons expectations of title challengers, it looks like another relegation battle. But hope is still in the numbers.

Only 16 points separate us from League topping Derby County, now not suggesting we can over take them; however the fact that it is just 16 points shows the rest of the league is quite compacted down. That is what is giving me hope at the moment about a possible rise up the table.

Nottingham Forest were glad for the points at the weekend getting their first win in ten games. The Midlands club who had looked ready to win the league this season were on a downward spiral but the 1-0 win over fellow poor formers Norwich City will defiantly instil some confidence in the squad.

Elsewhere AFC Bournemouth have now risen to second. Last season I predicted them for a sneaky play-off place, they sadly missed out. Yet Eddie Howe has rallied is men and they have been consistent performers all season and now take their reward in second place. Can they keep it up? If you take a lot at what Burnley achieved last season then they may just do it.

Of course their is one manager who is also now getting the very best out of his players and that is Neil Lennon. The new Bolton Wanderers coach hasn't taken long to shape the team to his liking and get them playing a very high tempo aggressive football. Two very impressive wins against us and Cardiff City in the space of the week have lifted spirits down at the now named Macron Stadium.

The festive period starts after the international break. This is the make or break time for teams and hopefully for Wigan Athletic it can be our make time, there are no easy games in this league. Its time to stand up and fight for a place in this league.

Who will top at the turn of the year though?