League One fans have taken to hit out at the Wigan chairman’s request to the EFL to extend the season due to a fixture backlog.
Like many clubs in the English Football League, the Latics have seen their festive schedule hit by a mix of Covid and injuries.
They have played four games less than some of their division rivals after games with Crewe, Fleetwood and Accrington were called off.
Now that they have progressed through to the fourth round of the FA Cup following the weekend’s 3-2 win over Blackburn, it adds to what will be a busy next few months trying to play out the rearranged games.
The regular League One campaign is expected to finish on the 30th of April, however Bahraini businessman Al Hammad suggests that an extension is needed for not just his players but for the integrity of the competition too.
Speaking on Twitter, Latics chairman Talal Al Hamma said: “At Wigan Athletic, we have always respected the rules and regulations put into place for the safety and wellbeing to all. We have adhered to these, respectfully, throughout the hardships and the pandemic that followed.
“Our players would be required to perform at a peak, elite level on each occasion and over such a significant period, this is near impossible. For the integrity of all competitions in which we are competing, we must find some equality in our fixture programme.
“I am positive that other clubs will agree with me on that the EFL should reconsider their position and extend the league under such circumstances. The main reason being our players, their safety and their wellbeing.”
Days after this plea, manager Leam Richardson said is hoping that ‘common sense prevails’ with Fleetwood nor Accrington stepping up to play out a fixture this week.
“I think we’ll have to revisit our conversations with the EFL,” he said. “The conversations we had last week weren’t great, because we’re without a game on Tuesday – which still baffles me how that can happen.
“I’d still like to hear a reason why, but in the meantime we have to focus on what we can control. You look back to last season, and we had teams playing Saturday, Monday, Thursday, Saturday – and you can’t do that.
“In my opinion the season should get extended by one or two weeks to help. You’re looking at players’ health, as well as the integrity of the competition.
“Given the abnormal circumstances in the world, we need to use common sense and say: ‘This is how we make it a level playing field, and maintain the standards of a professional game’.
“Learning from last year, none of this is new, we know what’s been coming, and we need to ensure common sense prevails.”
Wigan currently sit fourth in the League One table, picking up 45 points from 21 games played, and have four and five games in hands over teams around them.
For those gamblers out there who love taking a risk whether it’s betting on the football or slots with paypal, we have taken a look at who are the current favourites for promotion…
Rotherham
The Millers currently have odds of 1/6 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They are positioned in 1st place when it comes to the league standings, earning 50 points from 24 games.
Wigan
The Latics currently have odds of 4/7 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They sit in 4th place when it comes to the league standings, earning 45 points from 21 games.
Sunderland
The Black Cats currently have odds of 10/11 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They are positioned in 2nd place when it comes to the league standings, earning 50 points from 26 games.
Wycombe
The Chairboys currently have odds of 5/2 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They sit in 3rd place when it comes to the league standings, earning 49 points from 26 games.
Oxford
The U’s currently have odds of 7/2 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They sit in 6th place when it comes to the league standings, earning 43 points from 25 games.
Plymouth
The Pilgrims currently have odds of 4/1 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They are positioned in 7th place when it comes to the league standings, earning 43 points from 24 games.
Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls currently have odds of 6/1 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They sit in 9th place when it comes to the league standings, earning 37 points from 24 games.
Portsmouth
Pompey currently have odds of 7/1 in favour of going up to the Championship come the end of the 2021-22 season.
They sit in 8th place when it comes to the league standings, earning 37 points from 23 games.
As mentioned, League One fans as well as those from others in English football hit out at Wigan chairman’s request to EFL, see what they said below…
@aalanblackburn: Get on with it man. Trust the squad and manager – level playing field for all.
@pootzwar: Sunderland played yesterday with 13 players missing no moaning get on with it. 2 season a go we played 9 games in 19 days no sympathy no support of efl!!! Suck it up and battle through
@andyrlongstaff: Get on with it, we had too!
@stehewy: Fucking hell. Cry me a river. No different situation that loads of others clubs have faced in the past and will do again. Just get on with it, how about using some young lads every now and again…..
@Steven73253802: If they get it extended, it’d set a precedent for other clubs to do the same. They just have to deal with it
@DeanRobsafc: Definitely not. The last two seasons have been exactly the same so why change it for wigans benefit? Stop your twisting and get your games played 🤙🤙
@chris_kyte: Last season #rufc played 3 games in 8 days in May, 8 games in 25 days in April. With a covid infected squad. 11 games in 33 days. A quarter of the season in a month.. This ultimately cost us our place in the championship. Grow up and get on with it…
@VirginiaMackem: I am saying bollocks to that mate. You have a squad for a reason, look at Sunderland yesterday. 11 first team players out still managed to fulfill their season. Last season we had a fixture backlog and playing until the end of the season without asking for an extension.
@PaulDel666: Sorry the precedent was set last year, 4 games in a week to save ourselves from relegation, and your moaning with 3 months remaining!
@AdysundAdy: You have a squad to deal with injuries & Cup runs. We (SAFC) had 7 covid cases yesterday & 3 injured along with long term injured but played. We also had fixture backlog last season, 6 games behind at one point. Use your squad, rest players, rotate in cups. Get on with it.
@_toosb: We played away to a top side with kids on the bench. Recall loan players. Just get on with it. You aren’t running a Covid ward FFS.
@benjames1996: This has to be the most laughable statement going, don’t postpone your games for ‘injuries’. Players are too soft now a days, these players forget that they are living the dream for 98% of us who would do anything to be in their position. They are trained athletes, get on with it
@MarkaMackem: Why should that extend the league for you, never done it for anyone else
@neilboyd171171: Stop twisting and get on with it, should have a stronger squad. No-ones fault but your own
@Micky_A_Lawson: Is this a fucking joke? Last two seasons have been the same for everyone. Just deal with it like everyone else ffs. Embarrassing
@Samson8815: Every other club has dealt with it. Field a team in the FA cup but call league games off. Clearly want signings in for the league. As a Sunderland fan have respect for Wycombe, Rotherham and others, but Wigan no exactly what they are doing and hope it bites you right on the arse
@SimonReed11: What a load of tosh! Sunderland have had the same issue the previous 2 seasons and just got on with it! Use your squad and youth like we are this very season! I’m sure my 12 hour shift job is a lot less healthy than being a bloody footballer! 🙄
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