Call off the campaign

Football is bloody cruel sometimes. How can something you love so deeply, hurt so much? I think tonight I finally accepted defeat.

I excitedly blogged on Tuesday night about how those three points at Reading were the turning point. We could start the 'believe' campaigns once more and there was evidence that the classic Latics grit and determination had returned.

But in that blog I also rolled out the old cliche 'you're only as good as your last game.' Well Wigan weren't even as good as their warm-up once the first Charlton goal had gone in.

It's been an all too familiar tale this season so see our goal scorers crumble when prevented with opportunities. It's all very well starting brightly but what good does that do if you can't convert what you're working hard for?

The optimist here has become the realist. When your defenders look like they're marking each other and your usually reliable goalkeeper has slower reactions than Simon Haworth getting back onside (remember those days?), you start to accept that relegation is inevitable.

I write this with such frustration and a very heavy heart. It's a family trait to allow sporting results to dictate the household mood, so this could be a bleak few days in this part of London. I guess it's preparation for what could turn out to be an even bleaker next 14 games.

I'm a (re)believer

Let's roll out all of the cliches. Bring them on. All of them. I WILL get carried away because for the first time in what feels like a lifetime I sang 'I'm a Believer' at a Wigan match and I had a bit of faith in what I was singing.

So it's onwards and upwards from here. This is where our season starts. Winning momentum is with us. A new side is starting to gel. We've got the experience of a relegation battle.

But this next cliche is probably the one that Malky Mackay and the players should take most note of: you're only as good as your last game. And if we don't beat Charlton at home on Friday night, tonight's three points at Reading are pretty useless; we have to follow it up with consistency.

For now let's bloody enjoy it. The 198 of us at the Madejski endured some nerve-wracking moments; particularly in that questionable 11 minutes of added time. But that relief at the full-time whistle...oh my! Remarkably, it has taken me until February 17 to see us win a game this season and I will bask in its glory.

There were some huge positives aside from the obvious three points. Harry Maguire was the stand out performer for me. That sort of accolade isn't usually handed out to defenders, but when you're 23rd in the table a clean sheet is as good as your striker scoring a hat-trick.

Jason Pearce linked up with Maguire really well and it was his goal that has given Wigan fans a glimpse of belief that a good old-fashioned Latics comeback is on.

Leon Clarke had another good game. He chases every ball and his physical presence is surprising a few. It was an uncharacteristically poor night from James McClean but I think we can allow him an off-day given his contributions this season.

I've been wavering between writing us off and thinking we can still pull off survival. Before I left for tonight's game I said I would decide if I was an optimist or pessimist on full-time. So it's official: right now I'm a believer again. Just don't let us down now, boys.

Window closed, new era open?

I've worked at Sky Sports for over five years so I never escape the hype of a Transfer Window and the much-anticipated Deadline Day. As a Live Producer I co-ordinate the live crosses with reporters across the country, so those two days a year are undoubtedly the busiest of the calendar for me.

But this window, and yesterday's Deadline Day held an added significance as it was probably one of the most crucial for Wigan Athletic. 

In seasons gone by transfer windows have been mostly been about 'will they stay?', 'can we keep hold of our stars?' and waiting for Jim White and the Big Ben bongs to breathe a sigh of relief as players have remained with us.

But this window was a mass exodus like we've never known. The exits of Shaun Maloney, Callum McManaman and Ben Watson struck a chord that the FA Cup win is becoming more and more of a distant memory.

Added to that, Roger Espinoza and Fraser Fyvie had their contracts terminated by mutual consent at the end of December and beginning of February respectively. That teamsheet from Wembley is increasingly unrecognisable.

And the fans, myself included, have great frustrations with Malky Mackay for coming in and ripping up the squads around him. The squads built by Roberto Martinez in part, then Owen Coyle, then largely by Uwe Rosler, are being stripped to their bare bones. But for the first time I am starting to see some logic.

Jonathan Jackson's interview in the Wigan Evening Post last week struck a chord that relegation is a realistic option for Latics and the club don't want to go into the prospect of League One looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

Dave Whelan's ban has meant his grandson David Sharpe and Jackson have been responsible for off-the-field business and they've had a tough task this last month of shifting the big wage earners in preparation for the drop in parachute payments and a possible drop down a division.

Whelan our guardian angel is no more. Never before have we let players go so easily but Jackson's words showed us fans that perhaps the club had no choice. There has been no room for sentiment this January.

And so to Mackay's signings. What do we know about them? There isn't a name that stands out as such but Malky is no mug, despite his off-the-pitch alleged failings. 

Billy Mckay is the exact opposite of Oriel Riera and Andy Delort. Instead of the imports who come with continental flair, Malky has opted for someone who knows where the goal is and might not be so glamorous (or take as many selfies). I've seen a fair bit of criticism for Mckay's signing before he's even kicked a ball for us, but to those doubters I say this: what did we know about James McCarthy and James McArthur when they moved from Hamilton?

Jason Pearce hadn't been playing much at Leeds, but should steady a fastly-sinking ship at Wigan as he comes with a point to prove.

The move that should excite Wigan fans most is Sheyi Ojo on loan from Liverpool. We'll be doing Brendan Rodgers a favour by giving him first-team football and those that have seen him in action rave about him.

Chris Herd, Leon Clarke and Gaetan Bong have also come in, so all-in-all this Saturday's starting eleven against Bournemouth will start to look like the team that Malky built. No excuses anymore - this is the team he wants - for now.

Mackay's comments about only needing players who want to play for the club speak volumes for Mackay's management style and his intentions at Wigan. Brian Clough or Sir Alex Ferguson he is not, but he doesn't seem to be tolerate attitude problems or lack of effort.

So for now Malky needs to show his own effort and determined attitude, starting at home to Bournemouth.

It's not going to be easy, and he'll most definitely be dipping into the emergency loan window when it opens, but now is the official 'business-end' of the season. It's win or bust. 

And just remember, Uncle Dave might not be around now, but he'll be back soon and he doesn't suffer fools gladly...