Under new managerChris Hutchings, the team started the season well, winning two of their opening three games and briefly leading the Premier League table for the first time in the club's history. However, after going the next ten games without a win, Wigan found themselves in the bottom three.[1] Hutchings was sacked andBirmingham City'sSteve Bruce was appointed as the new manager a couple of weeks later. Results began to improve, and the club steadily pulled away from relegation before finally securing their survival in their penultimate game in a 2–0 away win againstAston Villa.[2] The club finished in 14th place at the end of the season.
Wigan had little success in the cups, and were knocked out of theLeague Cup in their first game againstHull City. The club also made it to the fourth round of theFA Cup before losing 2–1 toChelsea.Marcus Bent, on loan fromCharlton Athletic, finished the season as the club's top goalscorer with a total of seven goals, andPaul Scharner was voted as the club's Player of the Year.
Source:Premier League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. For further information on European qualification seePremier League – Competition
(Sources)[24]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Boyce was born inAylesbury,England, but also qualified to representBarbados internationally through his parents and would make his full international debut forBarbados in March 2008.
