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Wigan Athletic: The 12th Man - 'People today have a wider choice, and if they aren't happy, then they will look elsewhere for their entertainment...' Our panel of Wigan Athletic experts reflect on another hugely eventful week at the club – on and off the pitch – ahead of this weekend’s return to League One football at Cambridge United... Alan Rogers: Well, here we are again, the start of another season. In many respects it doesn't seem two minutes since the final game of last season but, in other ways, it's perhaps been a fairly long break. So what's happened since the last game? We have a new MP in 'Makerfield', a new Prime Minister, and a new Greater Manchester Mayor. None of that was even on the horizon a few months ago. Most people are fed up with all the rigmarole - and probably quite rightly so - but I just wanted to make a quick point. I know they say politics and sport shouldn't mix, but these are difficult times. And any possible opportunity we have to perhaps take advantage of our new MP/PM - and I mean that in a positive, wholesome way - we, or rather the Dansons, should grab it with both hands. Anyway, back to football, and we also had the World Cup during the season break. There are many ways in which we can process the tournament but, at the end of the day, it all keeps coming back to one thing: money. Apparently, the love of money is the root of all evil, and it's become completely apparent over recent weeks that FIFA really loves money. Nothing was allowed to get in the way of making even more money. This included hydration breaks, Donald Trump interference, and all sorts of political wrangling. Of course, this has always been in the background for many years, but now they don't seem to be making any attempt to hide it. And even more laughable is that UEFA is trying to set itself up as the defender of our noble game! There are so many fiscal skeletons in UEFA's cupboards that they have nailed them shut! Once again, how does this affect Wigan Athletic? Well, the Latics, and the other EFL teams, form part of the bedrock that keeps the game alive. It's been proved in recent weeks there are billions of pounds swirling around a cesspit at the top of the game, but it doesn't seem to trickle down. The Premier League teams are about to make an offer to the EFL clubs - partly to recognise that without the lower-level clubs, the whole system would crumble. If we had a fairer system of redistribution of funds, then maybe teams like Wigan wouldn't have to rely so much on their owners to prop up the club. Which leads me nicely on to Mr Danson. There's no arguing he saved us when he really had no need to get involved, and it cost him a pretty penny. I'm broadly supportive of the actions proposed since the takeover...moving to a more sustainable approach and reorganising several parts of the club. There have obviously been bumps along the way...the hiring of Ryan Lowe being the biggest. But I guess the Dansons would point to the fact they were advised to hire him, and that one of those advisors has now left the club. However, dealing with the departures of Gregor Rioch and Sarah Guilfoyle leaves something of a nasty taste in the mouth. I had a meeting with Gregor earlier in the year, and his love and enthusiasm for the club were there for all to see. I only met Sarah once, but it was obvious the club was precious to her. Sadly, we live in a cut-throat world - my US boss had a large poster over his desk: 'It's not personal - it's business!' And that perhaps is the case here. But I find it strange that the same people who protested when Gregor and Sarah were appointed - claiming they weren't experienced enough - were equally incensed when they were fired. No-one likes to see anyone who has worked so hard for the club lose their job, but perhaps we have to look at the bigger picture. However, having sort of defended the club on this issue, we then need to look at the statement issued after Sarah's dismissal. All the usual glowing praise, and then a very strange comment on needing to work more in the future on building local relationships...unbelievable! Get rid of a passionate, local MD...and then say we need more local links! And then, to make things worse, replace a local favourite with an 'outsider' with a double-barrelled name! Look, having said all that, I still think we are going in the right direction. But we don't half make it hard for ourselves. The ownership team seems to know where it wants to go, but it struggles to share this vision with us mere mortals. Does the new CEO mean they are in it for the long term, or is he merely a placeholder for potential new owners? So many rumours flying about. One thing we can be happy about, however, is the fact we have Gary Caldwell, David Perkins and Max Power to lead us into the new season. Gary's done it before for us at this level, and I'm confident he'll give it a good go again this season. Of course, he has a smaller budget this time around but I believe he's a better manager these days, learning a lot over the last few years. If he gets a few more players, then hopefully we'll have an exciting season! Just one final word of warning for the ownership team. Back in the day, the close season was a horrible time, with absolutely nothing to do - I can even remember when the whole town shut down for two weeks! We were desperate for the new season to begin. Nowadays, it's completely different. Nowadays, there are so many things to do and watch, not just during the summer but all year round. The Dansons should remember that people today have a wider choice, and if they aren't happy, then they will look elsewhere for their entertainment. Having said all that, let's just try to calm down, sit back and support the team. Hopefully we may surprise ourselves and have a great time! Matt Auffrey: It would be nice if we could kick off the league campaign this weekend by directing all of our attention to Saturday’s trip to Cambridge, but let’s remember that this is Latics. Where 'normal' weeks have simply ceased to exist for the better part of our pre-season. Last week, it was the sudden departure of managing director Sarah Guilfoyle. This week it was the termination of the loan of Hindolo Mustapha after less than a month with the club. Indeed, the 20-year-old never played a competitive match for us. In between those two headlines, we were denied a stoppage-time winner at Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, when the assistant referee erroneously raised his offsides flag...a decision that ultimately cost us our status in the competition. Amidst all of this recent activity, many fans remain frustrated with the lack of transparency from our ownership about the club's direction. While we continue to navigate a period with far more questions than answers regarding our current state, the first half of the Barnsley match nearly made us forget all of our struggles. We pressed the hosts from the onset, clearly creating discomfort in a side lacking leadership and poise. We then started to consistently threaten their goal. Only when it seemed like we were going to set a club record for blowing clear-cut scoring chances in a single half did Dara Costelloe find a breakthrough from point-blank range giving us a one-goal lead at the break. Barnsley quickly found their way back into the game in the second half and scored an inevitable goal through their tricky left winger, who stood head and shoulders above the pack as the most talented player on the pitch. Yet, I was quite impressed with how we stayed on the front foot for the remainder of the match and pushed for a winner. Despite the disappointing manner in which the match finished, there were many positive takeaways from the performance. We will need to summon every bit of confidence gained from last weekend’s affair to match a Cambridge side making its grand return to League One in front of their home fans. Let us hope we can get a replacement for Mustapha in the squad by Saturday, who can boost an attack that had no problem getting into dangerous positions at Barnsley, but couldn’t put the game to bed due to woeful finishing. However, our relative struggles on the pitch in the Carabao Cup pale in comparison to the worst-case scenario that played out in many of our heads just over a week ago. We outplayed Barnsley for the majority of the match on their home pitch, looking nothing like the team that failed to impress for the majority of pres-eason. Now, we enter the first few weeks of the league campaign focused not just on ‘purely surviving’ until the end of the transfer window, but rather on winning as much as possible over a very manageable opening slate of games. Let’s give Gary Caldwell and the lads the benefit of the doubt that the Barnsley performance was not a fluke. We may just have the makings of a team that could surprise many people this season. On to Saturday! Tony Moon: Ah well, no more Carabao Cup. How terrible! As an opening game for the season, though, it didn’t go badly, did it? Although I’ve only watched extended highlights and read reports, apparently we seemed to played well for most of the game. In fact, very well for much of it. Of course, we should have put the game away in the first half, especially after creating so many good chances. But hey ho, If we were perfect in week one, there’d be nowt to work on...or moan about. Saturday is when the business really starts. Will we be 'Reggie Walsh-d up' by then? Who knows? Surely we have to be chuffed though that we’re in the running for such a bright young starlet. Shame about Hindolo Mustapha, though. Presumably, GC and the coaches saw the potential and thought they could inject the right attitude… I suppose sometimes, it’s best to know when you’ve not backed a winner. I wonder if that linesman from the Barnsley game has been to Specsavers yet… Aidan Campbell: A Wigan Athletic Together Is a Strong Wigan Athletic. Over the beginning of last season and throughout the summer, I’ve had the opportunity to spend time speaking with people within Wigan Athletic - from the fan engagement team and head of marketing to the club’s managing director, who recently left her position. Alongside the club’s drummers, we have been trying to build something that, perhaps more than anything, Latics need right now - a united fanbase. The last few years have been difficult for the club away from the pitch. There have been frustrations, disagreements and plenty of reasons for supporters to feel disappointed. Nobody should be told they aren’t entitled to those feelings. But there comes a point where we have to ask ourselves what we want the club to look and feel like moving forward. Because ultimately, whether we sit in the East Stand, West Stand or South Stand - or anywhere else around the Brick Community Stadium - we all support the same team. Recently, we reached out to first-team manager Gary Caldwell about the idea of creating a more united relationship between the team and supporters. His response was hugely encouraging. Gary understands this football club. He has played here. He knows what the old JJB Stadium, the DW Stadium, and now the Brick Community Stadium can be like when supporters are behind the team. Gary has encouraged his players to engage with supporters away from matchdays - whether that’s through community events, school visits or simply taking the time to speak to fans. That matters. It gives supporters the opportunity to see the people behind the footballers, while allowing players to understand what the club means to the people of this town. Gary has also spoken about his own playing days, and the pre-match meet-and-greets that took place during the latter stages of our Premier League years. Perhaps it’s time we brought some of that spirit back. We don’t need 25,000 people to create an atmosphere despite everything that has happened over the years. Because we still have something incredibly important: A loyal core of Latics supporters. Around 6,000–9,000 people regularly turning up to watch their football club is not something to dismiss. In a stadium where there can be thousands of empty seats, there is an opportunity. An opportunity to bring people closer together. An opportunity to create a proper home advantage and make the Brick Community Stadium somewhere that our players genuinely enjoy playing football. And perhaps most importantly, an opportunity to make it a place where a young player isn’t frightened to make a mistake. Because mistakes happen. Young players, experienced players, and even managers will make mistakes. That’s football. What matters is what happens afterwards.Do we groan and turn on them? Or do we get behind them and make them want to respond? Let’s make matchday about more than the match. Our first home game is less than a couple of weeks away. So why can’t we do something together? Let’s have supporters meet up before the game. Let’s welcome the team into the stadium. Let’s get together, have a drink, bring the kids, bring your mates and speak to people you’ve never spoken to before. Ask your mate if they fancy coming down on Saturday. Bring someone who hasn’t been before. Make somebody feel welcome. You don’t have to be part of a supporters’ group. You don’t have to stand in a particular part of the stadium. You just have to support Latics. People have their own seats, routines, friendships and traditions. Those things matter. But with our current average attendance, theoretically speaking, there are huge areas of empty seats around the stadium. So perhaps the bigger question isn’t: 'Where should we sit?' Perhaps it’s:: 'How can we get closer together?' Whether a move behind the goal happens this season, next season or somewhere further down the line, we can still make a difference from wherever we currently sit. Get in your seat. Stay in your seat. And make some noise. Support the players. Support the manager. Support the team. And if the result doesn’t go our way, have your vent, have your argument, have your opinion. That’s football. Nobody is suggesting supporters should stop caring or stop holding the club accountable. Quite the opposite. But perhaps we can save some of the negativity for after the final whistle and spend the 90 minutes showing the players exactly what the club means to us. We all want the same thing There will always be disagreements between supporters. There will always be people who love a signing and others who think it’s terrible. There will always be people who believe the manager got everything right and others who think he got everything wrong. Social media has made it incredibly easy to voice those opinions - and sometimes it feels like the negative voices are the loudest. But for every negative post online, there are thousands of supporters who simply want to watch their team, enjoy their Saturday and see the club succeed. We have a young squad. We have a manager who understands this football club and appears genuinely determined to build a strong relationship between the team and its supporters. So let’s give it a chance. Let’s create an atmosphere. Let’s make the Brick Community Stadium a difficult place for the opposition to come. Let’s make it a place where our players want to play. Let’s make it a place where a first-time supporter feels welcome. Let’s make it a place where someone who has been going since Springfield Park can stand alongside someone attending their first ever Wigan Athletic match. Because it doesn’t matter whether you’ve been here for 50 years or 50 minutes. You’re a Latics supporter. And that’s what should bring us together. The past cannot be changed. The arguments won’t disappear overnight. The club will still make decisions that some of us disagree with. But we have a new season ahead of us. A fresh opportunity. A young team. A manager who understands the club. And thousands of supporters who all want the same outcome. So let’s get behind them. Let’s make some noise. Let’s make some memories. Let’s bring our mates. Let’s welcome new faces. Let’s support the team through the good times and the difficult ones. Because ultimately, a Wigan Athletic together is a strong Wigan Athletic. Greg Farrimond: Losing good people from any organisation is never easy, but I think the departure of Sarah Guilfoyle is far more significant than many people realise. I don't know Sarah personally, but I know people who do, particularly those who have worked closely alongside her, and the message has always been the same - she has been absolutely integral to this football club. At a time when both staff and supporters have had very few people in positions of authority they genuinely trust, Sarah has been ‘one of them’. She has been a constant through uncertainty and, from everything I've heard, someone who cared deeply about the club, its people and its place in the community. There is a broad spectrum of opinion when it comes to the current ownership. Some supporters want to see much greater investment in the playing squad. Others simply want clearer, more honest communication. There are also those who remain supportive because the owners saved the club when it mattered most. That should never be forgotten. Without them, Wigan Athletic may not exist in its current form. But neither should that become a free pass. Saving the club is one thing - building trust is another. The owners know the staff have endured prolonged periods of uncertainty. They also know supporters have repeatedly asked for greater openness, stronger leadership and a clearer sense of direction. That's why I found Lucas Danson's quote in the statement announcing Sarah's departure so disappointing. It wasn't just brief - it lacked substance. And what little it did say raised more questions than it answered. Nobody will begrudge the incoming CEO the opportunity to make his own mark, and everyone will wish him nothing but the best. His CV shows he's held positions that involve increasing commercial growth which is what we need. But speaking about improving relationships between the club and the community in the context of Sarah's departure showed a remarkable lack of self-awareness. It's obvious to supporters that Sarah spent years doing exactly that. She worked tirelessly to strengthen those relationships. The ownership, on the other hand, has rarely appeared willing to do the same. We've seen no interviews with this newspaper, very little direct engagement with supporters, and a series of statements that often manage to say plenty without actually saying anything. Repeating ambitions of reaching the Championship and eventually the Premier League sounds impressive, but nobody expects that to happen overnight. They know full well that isn’t on the agenda. What supporters do expect is honesty. If investment is going to be limited, explain why and how that will affect us. If there's a long-term strategy, share it. I'm the last person to draw lines of division between Latics and Warriors...I support both. But I don't think the ownership group is doing anything to dispel the feeling that they love one and tolerate the other. Sarah earned the trust and respect of staff and supporters alike. That isn't something that can simply be replaced with a new appointment. It has to be earned. Right now, that's the challenge facing the ownership more than anyone else. All this on the literal eve of the new season is so very, very Wigan Athletic.