He's One of Our Own

Anyone familiar with that scene in the Wizard of Oz with the song 'Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is Dead?' That's kind of how I imagine King Street in Wigan looked on Monday night after Malky Mackay was sacked.

Fast forward a couple of days and it might look a bit more like Dorothy and co skipping down the yellow brick road, full of optimism and excitement as Wigan fans start to look forward to what Oz will be like with Gary Caldwell in charge.

The Mackay era was a write-off to say the least. His appointment was the catalyst for a series of disastrous events at Wigan Athletic which ultimately resulted in Chairman Dave Whelan standing down. His sacking by new Chairman David Sharpe may have come on the same day that we effectively came to terms with relegation, but it was also celebrated as the time that the people running the club listened to the fans; enough was enough.

And that's enough about Mackay. He came, we lost, we suffered. But now the fans must back a new manager in a way that we haven't been able to do since Roberto Martinez took over in 2009. For Caldwell is one of our own.

In the news conference for Caldwell's appointment Sharpe described the former Club Captain as "one of us" and whilst I don't think Latics fans will be replicating the Spurs chant for Harry Kane (or perhaps I have just inspired Caldwell's first song as manager...), fans must surely be pleased that Sharpe has turned to someone from within to take the club forward.

And that's what it's about now. Looking ahead and going forward. Sharpe also said it would be a "miracle" if we stayed up this season and not even those with the strongest rose-tinted spectacles could disagree with him. This is a long-term appointment and we have to start thinking about a promotion-winning season in 2015/16.

Caldwell is here to pick up the mess that Malky left and if he acts on his proposed philosophy then I for one will be happy to see him stay at Wigan for the foreseeable. He has promised to bring back stylish football to the DW, but isn't naive with it. The quote that caught my eye most this morning was this: "I'm not silly enough to think playing nice football every week and losing is a good thing." And thank God for that.

So for now let's give it a good go, Wigan Athletic-style. I'll be at Fulham and Millwall and whilst I'm not expecting that miracle Sharpe referred to, I'll be backing Caldwell and co to see what they can offer. 

Next season isn't going to be glamorous, but should things to go to plan, what a pleasure it will be to see some flowing football, players that care and maybe even some victories. Now isn't that worth following the yellow brick road for...