Since his arrival in March, Ryan Lowe has brought a fresh notion of stability into Wigan Athletic. With an opening day decimation of Northampton Town, can the Latics replicate their performance?
League One’s 20th-placed side last season, Northampton, were heavily beaten 3-1 by Wigan in a victory that highlighted many areas of promise. Lowe deployed a league and club newcomer on one flank, partnering him with Joseph Hungbo. Signing from Kilmarnock this summer, Fraser Murray debuted his new number seven shirt with two well-taken goals.
Murray and Hungbo
Hungbo has been somewhat out of favour at Wigan, with just 11 appearances – mostly off the bench – in the 2024/25 season, having signed in January 2025. The former Rotherham United and Watford winger adopted a starting left wing-back role. Hungbo soon found creative opportunities against a poor Northampton defence, picking out Murray in the 23rd minute with a whipped cross.
For the opener, the 26-year-old met Hungbo’s lofted ball with a deft finish, which was volleyed neatly into the bottom-left corner. Moments later, the new Scot saw a wonderful free-kick effort denied by Lee Burge, keeping the scoreline at 1-0. However, with the double-assister on corner kick duties, Jenson Weir opened his account for the season with a latched header from Hungbo’s delivery.
Following a poor clearance by Kevin Nolan’s defence, the ball feel straight to Murray outside the penalty area. The right winger cut inside ambitiously, before a left-footed hit deflected past Burge and into the bottom corner for 3-0.
Another Dominant Showing?
Looking ahead, to Wigan’s next test against Leyton Orient, Lowe will importantly need to stick or twist with his opening lineup. With the Os being a much more threatening, attack-minded side than Northampton, the former Preston North End boss could deploy Murray and Hungbo slightly more defensively to offer Steve Sessegnon and James Carragher greater cover.
Writer’s View
Lowe gave a glowing report on his two new wing-backs, giving them license to roam forward and attack with intent. Preston fans arguably wanted more of this during the 46-year-old’s latter seasons at Deepdale, but there is no doubt that this is now being exemplified with the Latics.
Wigan looked exceptionally threatening with most attacks and Lowe could replicate his fantastic oversight of Plymouth Argyle during their Championship promotion campaign just a few seasons ago. It is an important confidence boost more than anything, for Lowe as well as Hungbo – who has barely seen enough minutes in a Wigan shirt. A perfect beginning for Murray could see a continuation of attacking momentum shine through against an Orient side who recently lost 3-0 to Huddersfield Town.
