Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney has reiterated his intention to put significant pressure on the club’s recruitment team as the January transfer window approaches.
Maloney is determined to ensure the Latics are fully prepared to make a strong push in the second half of the season, following a frustrating summer where he was unable to have the majority of his squad ready for the first day of pre-season.
Pressure on Recruitment Team
Maloney had hoped to have “90 per cent” of his squad settled before the start of pre-season but was left disappointed as the transfer market evolved. Despite this setback, Maloney has not eased his expectations for the January window. He has made it clear that he will once again apply pressure on sporting director Gregor Rioch and head of recruitment Stephen Gormal to ensure that key signings are secured early in the new year.
“I’ve asked them to get whatever work we want to do… get it done for the second or the third of January.” – Shaun Maloney.
Maloney highlighted that the team has already started work on recruitment and that the pressure will be on to make sure the right players are brought in quickly.
“In terms of the preparation for January, I think the recruitment team took two or three days’ break in the summer, and then it was straight back into it,” he said. “And there’s definitely some areas of our team I think we need a different profile or a bit more support for the young players.”
Support from Ownership
Maloney also praised the club’s ownership for their continued support, confirming that the financial backing will be there if needed to bring in new players.
“The owner is incredibly supportive of what we’re doing, and there are finances available should we need it,” Maloney said. “The challenge is to get the very best out of the budget you have.”
With Wigan looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the second half of the season, Maloney’s clear demands for a swift and effective transfer window will be a key factor in the club’s push to rise up the table.
Writer’s View
Shaun Maloney’s clear stance on the January transfer window shows he is determined to get Wigan back on track. While financial constraints may limit some of their options, the focus on signing the right players and enhancing the squad is vital. Maloney’s strong relationship with the recruitment team will be crucial in ensuring that Wigan can secure the necessary reinforcements early in January and make a strong push for improvement in the second half of the season.
