Wigan Athletic Head Coach Identifies Players for Loan Moves

Wigan Athletic’s head coach, Shaun Lowe, has announced plans to loan out three players as part of his strategy to streamline the squad. With eight new signings confirmed during the summer transfer window, Lowe aims to reduce numbers and alleviate the wage bill by offloading players who do not fit into his immediate plans.

Among those identified for potential loan moves is Dion Rankine, who has been linked with a transfer to League Two club Crewe Alexandra. Additionally, Lowe has stated that both defender Josh Robinson and midfielder Ronan Darcy, who joined Wigan earlier this year from Arsenal and Crawley Town, respectively, are also available for transfer.

Lowe confirmed, “There will be a few now who will be going out. We’ve told Josh Robinson he can go out and play a few games, because we haven’t seen enough of him.” He noted that Darcy and Rankine, while valuable players, do not align with the tactical style he intends to implement this season.

The coach added, “Ronan Darcy can go and play a few games somewhere else, he’s a great lad, the same as Dion Rankine. They’re all great lads, but unfortunately, don’t fit the style of play we’re trying to bring in here.” He emphasized that this decision is not a reflection of their abilities, as they all train diligently and exhibit strong work ethics.

Lowe explained that the specific roles of the players also contributed to the decision. “With Dion, I think he wants to play more as a winger than a wing-back. Josh is more of a right-back, whereas we’re looking for someone who can play wing-back. And Darce is a No.10, which unfortunately I’m not going to be playing with this season.”

While these three players are currently available for loan, Lowe mentioned that he anticipates further adjustments to the squad in the coming weeks. “There will probably be two or three more further down the line, over the next couple of weeks,” he said.

The head coach underlined that the remaining players are integral to his plans unless they express a desire to leave. “Everyone else is part of my plans, unless they tell me otherwise, if that makes sense,” Lowe stated. He expressed confidence in the squad’s competitiveness when all players are fit, while acknowledging that injuries will always be a factor in team dynamics.

As Wigan Athletic prepares for the upcoming season, the focus remains on assembling a robust and competitive squad, balancing new signings with the needs of existing players.