Opposition Lowdown: Gary Caldwell’s Wigan Athletic

Wigan’s Joe Taylor / | CameraSport via Getty Images Form Wigan Athletic finished 15th in League One last season, 10 points clear of the relegation places. This season marks their third straight year in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship in 2023, after finishing 22nd in the league. The Latics are currently hovering just above the relegation zone in 19th place, three points above the drop zone.

Their recent form has been relatively strong, having seen two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five league games. They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 2-0 home win against fellow strugglers Exeter City. Wigan’s home form has been stronger than their away, with only two of their 11 wins this season coming on the road.

The two sides faced each other last month with Reading picking up a 1-2 away victory after second-half goals from defenders Jeriel Dorsett and Paudie O’Connor. The boss Gary Caldwell: Caldwell was appointed Wigan manager last month, replacing Ryan Lowe and starting his second stint in charge of the Latics. He had a 14-year professional career as a defender, starting off at Newcastle United, before also playing for the likes of Hibernian, Celtic and Wigan, where he became captain.

He ended his playing career at Wigan, before taking up a coaching role with the club. It wasn’t long until he was made manager, taking over from Malkay Mackay in 2015. Caldwell won promotion in his first full season, winning the League One title in 2016.