The relegation fistfight in the lower half of the league table has started to intensify as half a dozen sides are clambering over one another to stay in the Championship next season. Rotherham United are the outfit with the least chances of survival as they are placed rock-bottom on the league table and 17 points behind 23rd placed Wigan Athletic.
Nonetheless, the Latics have merely 4 points separating them from the rendezvous point and no wonder they are still in contention to be in the second tier next season as well.
Wigan Athletic might be in a very awkward scenario after getting promoted from League One last season. An intense resurrection in their stature was expected from them in the second tier this season, but things haven’t panned out in a befitting manner for them.
Apparently, Warren Joyce getting sacked from the managerial post has only piled up the pressure on them after he suffered a 1-0 home defeat against the relegation-threatened side in the shape of Bristol City. Graham Barrow has been made the caretaker manager of the Tics for the rest of the season but he would definitely need his main men to rise up to the occasion.
One of the most important players who can bring some attacking flamboyance for Wigan and contribute massively in order to take them to safety is Gabriel Obertan. The player joined from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in the January transfer window for free on what was a very busy deadline day for Joyce.
The Frenchman has had torrid spells with Manchester United and Newcastle United owing to his injuries and timorous appearances, and at the onset, it did look like he would be an unwarranted gamble to venture into. But then, he has begged to differ from the popular beliefs, partly after what he offered from the bench when he lined up against Birmingham City and Bristol City.
The 28-year-old has vast experience of plying his trade across the continent and has found his feet at Wigan fairly early after making a move to the DW Stadium. On his day, he can cause serious trouble to the opponents from the wings, which he showed when he breezed past the Blues’ defence.
Obertan has decent pace, is lovely with the one-twos and doesn’t refrain from tracking back as well. Wigan have indeed brought a man who can win games on his own and should they desire to stay in the Championship next time around, they would definitely need Obertan to carry on and unleash his potential on a regular basis.
