I haven’t written anything for a while, possibly because I’ve been too irate about the events of the past couple of months to conjure up any words suitable for this family publication.

However, seeing as my New Year’s resolution is to be more positive, I’m going to have a crack at writing a few hundred words containing only upbeat thoughts.

We are yet again in turnaround mode and Malky Mackay’s business in January will surely go some way to achieving that goal with a mini-rebuild. We hear from fans of clubs where he’s previously managed that he likes to build a team from the back – so no more leaky goals – hurrah!!

He has also gone a considerable way to address one of the strongest criticisms of Uwe Rosler’s tenure, namely that Mackay has refused to rotate and has generally kept a settled side.

If you believe that he has inherited a mess including a large squad full of unsettled players, then whipping it down to its bare bones can only be a good thing, and as we progress to the second half of the season that smaller group playing regularly together will start to understand each other better and form a tight knit unit.

Now, although we have lost a large number of games since Malky took over, the majority of these defeats have been by just one goal.

Our new super trim squad, bolstered by a few additions, will emerge from the maelstrom of disillusionment and we will soon see those 1-0 defeats turn into 0-0 draws. Then, eventually, narrow 1-0 wins as we gloriously ride to safety in May.

This will have the added benefit of us riding the crest of a wave at the start of next season as we make that tilt at the top which never materialised this year with renewed strength and mettle.

I’ve seen the future. Stop panicking! Anyone convinced?

First published in the Wigan Evening Post 12th Man Column Friday 9th January 2015

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