Caldwell hits out at 'crazy situation' as campaign opens
· Paul Kendrick · 2026-08-06 · nguồn gốc
Wigan Athletic chief delivers transfer update on eve of campaign - 'Crazy situation'
Gary Caldwell insists he's 'happy' with where Wigan Athletic are squad-wise on the eve of the new season - with the 'crazy' last month of the transfer window still to come.
Latics have so far added nine new signings to the group over the summer - Max Power, Connor Barrett, Sonny Perkins, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Hindolo Mustapha, Akeel Higgins, Joe Walsh, Ryan Trevitt and Archie Harris - to offset the loss of around 20 players at the end of last term.
Despite focus now switching from off-field to on-field - and Saturday's first 'proper' game of the campaign at Barnsley in the first round of the Carabao Cup - Caldwell admits the hard work will continue on the recruitment front.
"We will continue to look right up until whatever crazy time the window shuts this year," he said. "We will try to make sure we have the best possible squad we can to give our supporters what they want to see this season - and ultimately success on the pitch.
"As we head into the season, I'm happy with where we are - albeit you always want more, and we'll keep pushing for more.
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"It's a real challenge that the window remains open for another month with the season having started, which I think is ridiculous.
"We've had more than enough time to bring in players but, because it stays open until the beginning of September, players and agents can hold off and it makes for a crazy situation with games going on.
"As far as we're concerned, we know what we need to do to make the squad more competitive, and we'll continue to do that for as long as we're able to."
Summer signing number nine arrived on Thursday afternoon in the form of Wales Under-21 defender Harris, who joined from Premier League Bournemouth on a two-year deal after a successful trial period.
"Archie is another really good player with huge potential," added the Latics boss.
"He had a brilliant season last year in the National League with Eastleigh, and he is a player we believe we can develop into a very good League One player.
"He came in on trial, and showed all the attributes he'll need to be successful here - he's hard working, he fitted into the group straightaway, and he showed a lot of quality both in training and in the matches.
"I thought he was someone who kept going, he showed he can play in more than one position, and he's another good young player to add to a very young group that we believe has lots of potential."