The Latics and The Rovers

SAMAHA ISMATH ALI

Wigan Athletic: The Latics were promoted to the main division of the Premier League in 2005 after a lot of influence from old Manager Dave Whelan, local millionaire n Greater Manchester. Whelan's business influences around the world gave him the ability to buy three Spaniards for the team, Isidro Diaz, Jesus Seba and Roberto Martinez.

If only Wigan Athletic had made a wise decision in choosing highly qualified players for their side, the team would not have to suffer being the 18th on the Premier League table, in the drop zone. Their current Manager is Roberto Martinez, one of Wigan's former stars and Swansea former Manager. The tough-to-convince Manager had led his team to be among the bottom 15 last season, but failed to do so this time, leaving them in the drop zone.

The Latics are a team who were gifted with potential, but in football, every tiny matter is of great importance. If left without a care or concern, it will corrode in harsh conditions and get totally out of hand. This misfortune happened to find its way into Wigan Athletics' Stadium and has spread its disease among the team, who are now lying as helpless as a school of beached whales.

The team is captained by Gary Caldwell; former Celtic player and Scottish International star. The 29-year old has had playing spells with Newcastle United, Hibernian, Celtic, and finally Wigan Athletic. Primarily considered a central defender, Caldwell has proved extremely versatile and has been deployed as a right back, defensive midfielder at various spells in his career.

His brother, Steven, also a defender, plays for Birmingham City. The two brothers were at Wigan Athletic simultaneously, each bringing folds of pride to the Latics.

Another one of the team's important footballers is Jordi Gomez, a Spanish pacesetter. The pro, at the young age of 26, entered the team after being trained by the Barcelona Youth Club. He played his debut for RCD Espanyol, emerging a true winner and Spanish at heart.

In June 2008, Gomez was signed up by Swansea, and offered his services as a midfielder for the team till 2009, when Wigan purchased him instead. He was described by scouts as having "a lovely ability to receive the ball in space or if he is marked tightly, find space after his first touch".

The Latics face table headers Manchester City next Tuesday, and this game will indeed be tough for them to cope up with due to their recent losses and their newfound inability to score in harsh conditions.

The game will either be a decider for Wigan to either climb the table or be a source of immense pride to City, who are achieving more as the games go on. Indeed, Wigan must pull up all the tricks they have and muster up all their courage, bringing to light the true essence of team spirit and football mingled into one sheen.

Blackburn Rovers

At any time of the year, and at all seasons, we have to end up watching someone lag behind on the English Premier League table, suffering on the last spot. This season, the entire football world speculates as to who will be this unlucky team...with shock and hesitation the result appears: the team is Blackburn Rovers, who were 15th in the previous season.

The Ewood Park owners were in for a shock after a season of poor playing has left them in a disheveled and unorganized state. Being managed by Steve Kean, the team has had a few years of notable football growth, but had the entire bowl spilled down the drain at this misfortune.

Since retiring from playing Kean has worked as a coach for Reading, Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry City, working as an assistant to Chris Coleman at Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry. In August 2009 Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce appointed Kean as his new first team coach. Kean replaced Karl Robinson who returned to Milton Keynes Dons. Allardyce commented that he had received numerous applications for the first team coaching position and Kean "stood out above the rest through his personality, experience and knowledge of football at the highest level".

The side is currently captained by Cristopher Samba, one of the most notable figures in the English Premier League. He is a defender, and also plays for his home country, Congo.

He has been loyal to Blackburn Rovers-being a part of their team since 2006. Before Blackburn, however, he played for Hertha BSC, a German Club, but was with them for a short time only. Samba is a renowned defender, and is most recognized this season for leading his team towards victory against Red Devils Manchester United, as they beat the invincible team 3-2 at Old Trafford.