Goodbye, Chris Hutchings

Six consecutive losses and just 8 points from 12 league games forced Wigan chairman Dave Whelan to make a managerial change today as Chris Hutchings has been given the axe.

"This has been a very difficult decision for me and the board to make but I felt we had to act in the best interests of the club and its long-term future.

'Chris has worked very hard since becoming manager and I cannot fault either his effort or commitment to the cause. However, it is crucial for the development of Wigan that we maintain our Premier League status this season and following results and performances in recent matches, we feel it is critical to act now.

'My energies will now be fully focused on getting the right man, firstly to stop the decline we have suffered in the last two months or so, and secondly, to take us forward in the future," said Whelan in a statement.

Realistically, Wigan know they're in a fight for their Premiership lives and this move has the markings of one to give the team an immediate, short-term spark in a hope to turn the season around. I picked this team to finish 18th, the last relegation spot, and I stand by my prediction. Wigan don't have the players and don't have the money to go out and acquire much talent in the January transfer window. Their only hope is for teams like Middlesbrough and Bolton to keep struggling, as we all know Derby will finish last.

Former boss Paul Jewell has been linked to reclaim his old position in charge but he's too talented of a manager to be stuck with a team that's probably going to be relegated; Jewell would be idiotic to take this job. He's in a decent position to become England's next manager once Steve McLaren gets fired (and he inevitably will, sooner or later), and there will be more attractive domestic jobs out there than Wigan.