Stephen Warnock is the 3rd summer signing of Burton Albion

The English Football League Championship club Burton Albion added their 3rd summer signing to their squad after Stephen Warnock completed is move from Wigan Athletic on a free transfer in a 1 year deal.


Matty Lund, Jake Buxton are all of the other signings that Burton Albion has made, all of which were free transfers.

According to Stephen Warnock, the English Football League Championship is one of the most difficult football competitions as the 35 year old defender said:

¨I think it’s very difficult, with the teams that have come down from the Premier League and the teams that have come up from the other division. You look at it and you’ve got to understand that this is one of the toughest leagues in the world now. So you have got the big teams at the top that are willing to spend mega-money, but nobody wants to drop out of this division either¨

¨I think survival has got to be your main thing. I think that’s a success for a club like Burton. Within the Championship, the amount of money that’s getting thrown about, I think it’d be a great achievement¨ Continue reading “Stephen Warnock is the 3rd summer signing of Burton Albion”

Warnock on Villa

Former Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock said that it was an honor for him to have played for them.


The defender spent four seasons with Villa before signing for Wigan.

He said that Aston Villa is a big club in England and has some great history and that it was a great pleasure for him to have been able to wear their shirt. He is however disappointed that he could not make more appearance for the team as he suffered countless injuries.

He said that he spent four seasons with Aston Villa with mixed fortunes. He said that the first two was very good in terms of performance and playing time, but unfortunately, things changed later on, and he had some frustrating moments as well.

He said that his opening season with the club was a great one where he managed to play regularly in the first team. However he will experience a drop in form in the second season and as a result will spend more time on the bench than on the pitch. Continue reading “Warnock on Villa”

Stephen Warnock wanted a victory against Derby but settled with a draw

Wigan Athletic is struggling in the bottom section of the English League Championship and Stephen Warnock wanted to see his team start picking themselves up with a triumph over against their rivals Derby County.


Both sides locked horns on December 31st of 2016 and the match resulted in a goal-less draw with each team having to settle with 1 point. This is not the result that Stephen Warnock and the rest of his teammates wanted to see but considering the fact that Derby County was controlling the match from start till the end and had over 60% of possession, being able to secure a draw is a good result for Wigan Athletic, as they need all of the points they can get in order to start climbing spots and escape the relegation zone.

Before Wigan Athletic had faced off with Derby County, Stephen Warnock spoke his mind about what is going on with his team and why they have been sustaining so much negative results and the 35 year old defender said: Continue reading “Stephen Warnock wanted a victory against Derby but settled with a draw”

JOYCE WORRIED OVER FITNESS OF SUMMER SIGNINGS

Warren Joyce has expressed worry over fitness concerns of his injured players.


The injured defenders Reece Burke – on a season long loan from Premier League side West Ham – and Nathan Byrne picked up the knock over the weekend clash. Wigan Athletic lost at home by a lone goal to Derby County and the two late cry-offs were another worry for the coach who only signed both of them this summer.

Warren Joyce has expressed worry over fitness concerns of his injured players.


The injured defenders Reece Burke – on a season long loan from Premier League side West Ham – and Nathan Byrne picked up the knock over the weekend clash. Wigan Athletic lost at home by a lone goal to Derby County and the two late cry-offs were another worry for the coach who only signed both of them this summer.

While the Hammers loanee had a problem with his hips, Bryne has issues with his ankle. Joyce had to employ Luke Garbutt as right back instead of his usual left back position. The move ensured the Latics did not enjoy him down the flank, as he could not cut in using his left as he was supposed to.

“Reece and Nathan pulling out injured was another curve-ball for us, leaving us without a right back. Luke, I don’t think has ever played right back before, and you’re asking him to come cross. I’m trying to talk about consistency, and players playing in the same position,” Joyce confessed.

“Bu we’ve not been able to forge that because of a mixture of injuries, knocks and even illness,” he added.
Since Kyle Knoyle’s injury during his first training session, the club is still struggling to find a capable right back. Knoyle broke his elbow during the training after agreeing to spend a year on loan with Wigan.

Joyce claims that the absence of a natural right back is “the biggest problem.” Natural centre half Burke has been playing the role in a bid to manage the players left.
“Reece has done a tremendous job for us, but he probably regards himself more of a centre back. But that’s just circumstances, and you’re asking players to adapt, as we did when Stephen Warnock has filled in at left centre back,” Joyce said.

WARNOCK: WIGAN FINE WITHOUT A MANAGER

Wigan Athletic defeated Cardiff City by a lone goal, despite being without a manager.


The victory was the first win away from home after six months. Cardiff seemed to have picked up new boss Neil Warnock but the Lactics remained resolute in attack and defense as they played.

Wigan Athletic defeated Cardiff City by a lone goal, despite being without a manager.


The victory was the first win away from home after six months. Cardiff seemed to have picked up new boss Neil Warnock but the Lactics remained resolute in attack and defense as they played.

Wigan sacked their manager Gary Caldwell last week yet the team got the huge result, defying predictions ahead of the clash. Stephen Warnock has said that the team would continue to do well as the club’s chair David Sharpe tries to get a capable replacement. Manchester United Under-21 manager, Warren Joyce, is the leading contender to get the Wigan job. For now, Graham Barrow remains in charge temporarily. Sharpe would definitely appreciate the win, as it will buy him time to get a suitable coach.

Captain of the side, Warnock, won the man-of-the-match award for his sterling performance. The skipper said:
“To be honest, I’ve been through it before, things change in football, managers come and go. That’s the nature of the game, and you have to get on with it.

“You’ve got to appreciate what the manager did here – he brought every single player here to the club, so there is a big appreciation to Gary for giving us the chance to enjoy last year,” Warnock said.

The player added that team would have to move on and remain positive pending the arrival of a new coach.
Until we’re told who the new manager is, and it’s announced and we meet him face to face, we just have to get on with it. Graham’s in charge, we respect that, and we just get on with it,” he added. He claimed the team worked hard to get the result against Cardiff, and were all happy at the end.

WIGAN DEFEAT WOLVES 2-1

Wolves suffered a painful defeat in the 89th minute in the hands of Wigan who ended the game with a 2-1 victory.

A sucker punch from Will Grigg ensured Wigan rise above the relegation zone. Boss Gary Caldwell left Grigg on the bench, opting to start Adam Le Fondre. It turned out a brilliant move as Le Fondre scored from a Max Power cross.

Wolves suffered a painful defeat in the 89th minute in the hands of Wigan who ended the game with a 2-1 victory.

A sucker punch from Will Grigg ensured Wigan rise above the relegation zone. Boss Gary Caldwell left Grigg on the bench, opting to start Adam Le Fondre. It turned out a brilliant move as Le Fondre scored from a Max Power cross.

Wolves remained resolute, and it paid off when they got the equalizer through Prince Oniangue. Neither side seemed capable of adding another. Grigg came into the game for the final thirty minutes and caused an upset, helping Wigan get their first win after eight matches. The Northern Ireland international positioned himself well before smashing home the goal from ten yards after rounding up the goalkeeper.

From the beginning of the game, Wigan seemed determined to get a point. They took the lead only after six minutes. Le Fondre, on loan from Cardiff, scored the first chance he got. Wolves tried getting an instant equalizer but goalkeeper Adam Bogdan thwarted their efforts. Helder Costa came through the left and hit and powerful shot. Bogdan was there to sent the goal-bound effort over the bar.

Dan Burn and Stephen Warnock combined well to stop attempts from Costa and Joao Teixeira. Danny Batth found a way through but his weak shot was disappointing. Wolves got their equalizer about ten minutes before the half time. Wolves tried getting the winner after the break through a Batth header, but Warnock was there to clear.

Wigan kept pushing and were happy when Grigg’s effort scored. Wolves would be disappointed with the loss, having only returned to winning ways in their last game against Brentford. They lost games to Newcastle in the EFL third round and the English championship. They lost to Barnsley and played a draw with Burton in recent games.

BOLTON WANDERERS GET TAYLOR BUT LOSE PHILLIPS

League One side Bolton Wanderers get an extra boost as they sign Andrew Taylor on a season long loan from Wigan Athletic.

The 30-year old player joined the club from Cardiff back in 2014 but garnered 27 appearances for Wigan in the 2014/15 campaign and played 23 games when he was shipped out on loan to Championship side Reading last term.

League One side Bolton Wanderers get an extra boost as they sign Andrew Taylor on a season long loan from Wigan Athletic.

The 30-year old player joined the club from Cardiff back in 2014 but garnered 27 appearances for Wigan in the 2014/15 campaign and played 23 games when he was shipped out on loan to Championship side Reading last term.

Taylor started his career at Middlesbrough and has played at Bradford and Watford on different loan spells until he joined Welsh side Cardiff in 2011. Since then, Taylor has featured in 114 games until he agreed to leave the club for Bolton. He becomes the seventh signing for the season.

The centre back would be joining former Rotherham player Lewis Buxton after the 32-year old moved to the club. Buxton started his career at Portsmouth and has played for Exeter City, Bournemouth, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday at various times.

On the other hand, Bolton lost one of their academy players Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Phillips as he moved to Premier League side Liverpool when he couldn’t get an extension of his deal. The player was set to move to America on a football scholarship until when Liverpool decided to step in and offer him a professional deal.

Phillips was at the club on trial at the end of July and the club feels he has done enough to secure a full time deal with the Merseyside club. the player would join the development squad where he is to work with Michael Beale and Neil Critchley at their Melwood training complex. The player is keen on making his mark in the premier league, and it is still surprising how Bolton found him not very helpful to their dream yet a bigger club Liverpool thought he was good enough.

Gary Cadwell says that he is hoping to add four or five more players

Wigan manager Gary Cadwell says that he is hoping to add four or five more players in the summer.

Wigan manager Gary Cadwell says that he is hoping to add four or five more players in the summer.

The club have only brought in former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock from Derby County on a free transfer. Even though the left back brings a lot of experience with him, Wigan could need significant strengthening in other areas of the pitch as well. of English football will be an even tougher task.

Following two quick relegations, Wigan found themselves playing in League One just a few years after having been FA Cup winners. The club, though, have been working steadily towards returning to the top of the tree.Caldwell claimed that the club have been preparing for life in the Championship for 12 months. He is confident that at least four or five new players will be joining Wigan due to the long term work that they have done in the transfer department. For the time being, though, Warnock is the only new name to offer fans some hope ahead of the new season.

In the 2015-16 campaign, Wigan managed to win the League One by some margin.“We tried to sign players last year who would not only do well in League One, but who were really Championship quality.And I’ve got real confidence that they’ll be able to do a job at this level.In football you work with what you’ve got, and we were fortunate last year in being able to go out and get the best players. And I think this year we’re going to have a group of players that are going to be coming up with momentum, with real belief in what we’re doing,” said Caldwell.

Stephen Warnock joined Wigan Athletic on a one-year contract

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock is on the move once again and this time around he has joined Wigan Athletic on a one-year contract.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock is on the move once again and this time around he has joined Wigan Athletic on a one-year contract.

He becomes a perfect signing for Wigan, who have just earned promotion back to the Championship. Over the years, the former Liverpool training has played for a number of clubs spanning across the Premier league and Championship. It comes as no surprise that he has decided to join Wigan since he has been starved of first-team opportunities at Derby County. After having spent the last six months on loan with the Latics, he seems to have sufficiently impressed to the club to earn a permanent move.

Gary Caldwell did not have much experience when he was appointed as the manager of Wigan, but he will be viewed in a positive light now that he has managed to get promotion. The former Wigan defender, though, needs a wealth of experience to sustain the position in the Championship and the signing of Stephen Warnock is a reflection of the same. At 34 years of age, Warnock may be on his last legs as far as on the pitch performance is concerned, but he can offer a lot more of the field. Wigan are one of the favourites to get relegated straight back into the League One.

“Bringing Stephen permanently was one of our immediate priorities.His experience will be invaluable to the squad in the Championship, a league he knows very well. Everyone saw for themselves his contribution last season,” said the Wigan manager. “I really enjoyed my time on loan. We achieved something great, so I can’t wait to work with the gaffer and this group of players again,” said the player himself after sealing the move. Warnock made 11 appearances for Wigan last season as they got promoted.

Eric Black believes Team need more Time to get back

Eric Black believes it’s never easy for a team, which is relegated from the top tier, to come back into it straightaway.

Black believes a lot changes for a team when it goes from the Premiership to the Championship. First of all, it has more number of matches to play and thus, at times, the players can feel they are not having enough gaps between the matches to recover. You would need more physical and mental strength than what you probably needed in top tier.

Eric Black believes it’s never easy for a team, which is relegated from the top tier, to come back into it straightaway.

Black believes a lot changes for a team when it goes from the Premiership to the Championship. First of all, it has more number of matches to play and thus, at times, the players can feel they are not having enough gaps between the matches to recover. You would need more physical and mental strength than what you probably needed in top tier.

Also, for such teams which are relegated, they obviously would be one of the lesser teams in Premiership. They mostly had a stronger team to play against in that competition and in those matches; they would have different approach than what they would have when they play against a team of the same level or maybe weaker in Championship.

The ambition would be different too and that is to win and not to draw as might have been the case playing in Premiership. So, it would be a little bit of a tough road when you are down to tier two.

These thoughts of Black make some sense and he must be speaking on the basis of his experience too that he had with Birmingham as he was in their coaching staff when they had made it to Premiership about 10 years back.

If Villa loses the relegation battle, and it looks like they do, a few exits would be likely as far as the players are concerned and according to Black, the building of the team after that, the recruitments of new players and all that, should be done very, very carefully. If not, the way back to Premiership would not be smooth by any means.