Today is the second and final article featuring the views of Wigan fans giving us an insight into deadline day loan signing Nick Powell, first to feature today are the views of Sean Livesy
“Nick Powell signed after the opening of the loan transfer window in September last year and his first game was in fact against Leicester at the KP Stadium as a 55th minute substitute for Roger Espinoza. In his time with us Nick scored 12 goals in all competitions and his career as a Wigan player can be split in to two separate sections. The first part of his season with us from September to January where he was excellent and made what was effectively a poor side under Owen Coyle tick and the second part from January to the end of the season where he spent much of the time out of the side through a combination of fitness, lack of form and what many perceived to be a poor attitude.
There is no doubt that Nick Powell is a talented player but many Wigan fans grew frustrated at the end of the season as it seemed Powell considered himself above the club and carried an air of someone who knew he was better than lowly Wigan.
The change in management no doubt hampered Nick's progress, under Owen Coyle Nick Powell could have been considered the best player in a poor side and on many occasions he pulled us out of the mire but once Uwe Rosler took over and began to mould the side in to his own vision Powell was no longer the stand out performer and perhaps being less of a focus point for the side didn't fit in to his style. Where as he was clearly a cut above the rest of the under-performing side with Coyle in charge the rest of the squad responded to Rosler and got back to their true levels. Nick should have kicked on but sadly they didn't and it could be argued his performance levels went backwards.
His appearances dwindled later in the season with a lack of fitness which was capped by missing the play-offs due to a court appearance for drunk driving. At this point there was probably no way back for Nick, a hugely talented player but still a very young man. With a full season in the Championship behind him he should take to the Premier League easily but it's his attitude that has the big question mark over it. If he can improve his work rate then his undoubted talent will shine through and Leicester will have a decent player on their hands.”
John Bullough is the second Wigan fan featured today, here are his thoughts
“You have got a very naturally talented player in your squad with Nick he will frustrate at times as he as a arrogance of a playing style that reminds me of Chris Waddle or Matt Le Tissier that can sometimes make him look disinterested lazy but he’s not.
During his time at Wigan he basically carried all our attacking options in the first half of the season under idiot Coyle was as if he did not do it nobody did and at times he did try to become a one man team and do everything.
Second half of season under Rosler just seem to drift by with niggling injuries and just being over worked as a loan forward with the long championship season and Europe taking its toll. At the back end of the season he was getting some stick for being Billy big time mostly from the twitter brigade but i don’t do twitter so don’t know the in & outs.
I would see his best position to be a link player between midfield and striker a number 10 if you like, you may/should get more out of him as won’t have the responsibility of being your main man and with your squad won’t be run into the ground like he was by Coyle.
Hope that helps be interesting to watch from a far.
All the best for the season”
Finally, JJ, editor of Wigan Athletic fansite http://threeamigoswigan.com got in touch and referred us to an article they published about Nick Powell towards the end of last season, which you can read via this link http://wp.me/p1LmdG-1lr. Powell did not come back for the playoffs.