Three players Wigan must sign in January to boost their promotion hopes
Wigan Athletic have enjoyed a good start to the season following their return to the Championship. The Latics have been magnificent at home and are yet to lose at the DW Stadium.
Wigan Athletic currently sit ninth on the table after five wins, two draws and four defeats. Paul Cook’s men are punching above their weight in the Championship after winning the League One title last season.
However, the Latics aren’t yet to become a complete team that can go all out to challenge for promotion. There are a couple of areas that need strengthening in the January transfer window.
That being said, here are three players Wigan Athletic must sign in January to boost their promotion hopes.
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
Charlie Adam has played just 4 times for Stoke City since the club got relegated to the Championship at the end of last season. He currently remains out of favour under Gary Rowett and could be open for a move away from the Bet365 stadium in January since any footballer would love more playing time.
Wigan must make a move for Adam in January. At 32, Adam is past his prime and lacks the legs to run for the entire 90 minutes but he is a midfielder who can take care of the ball well and spread it around wisely.
Adam has the experience of playing in the division and would represent a smart signing by Cook’s Wigan.
Scott McKenna (Aberdeen)
Wigan’s most experienced centre-back Dan Burn has been a massive hit at the DW Stadium since his arrival in 2016 but he was signed by Brighton in the summer and is currently playing for Cook’s side on loan.
With Burn set to exit Wigan at the end of the season, the smart move would perhaps be for Cook to start eyeing potential replacements in January. The Wigan manager must make an audacious attempt to bring Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna in January.
McKenna is a strong, physically imposing centre-back who is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. He has a few attributes that mark him out as a potential successor of Burn at Wigan.
Jermain Defoe (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth centre-forward Jermain Defoe is well past his prime but could do a terrific job for Wigan if he decides to drop down a level in January.
A natural goalscorer, Defoe has the uncanny ability to find space, create chances and link up with his fellow attackers. He has shown how good he is in recent years and would be an excellent signing for the Latics.
Read more: Why Wigan could bag gold by signing this £3m Celtic outcast on loan in January
Wigan have a decent attack and adding Defoe to the mix would make them a frightening prospect to face in the Championship.