Wigan's Premier success holds key to Swansea boost
THOSE Swansea City fans unwilling to forgive Roberto Martinez may have revelled in Wigan Athletic's 9-1 annihilation at Tottenham Hotspur.
And yet the supporters he left behind ought to be cheering on their old boss, for Martinez's success in the Premier League could mean in excess of £1 million to his former club.
Wigan currently lie five points clear of the top-flight relegation zone after they responded to humiliation at White Hart Lane by beating Sunderland 1-0 last weekend.
It was a result that brought delight to the DW Stadium given the week Wigan had endured after Spurs.
And it was one that did not go down too badly in the Liberty boardroom either.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins tried everything to convince Martinez not to leave last summer and was bitterly disappointed when the Spaniard eventually went.
The fact that he took the likes of Graeme Jones, Kevin Reeves and Richie Evans with him to Wigan also hurt Swansea.
But Jenkins insists there is no bitterness in these parts about the path Martinez chose to follow.
And he concedes that whatever supporters might think, it would be good for Swansea should Wigan do well this season.
"We don't spend our time looking over our shoulders," said Jenkins.
"We have got no wish for Wigan Athletic or anyone else to lose games.
"Our only concern is Swansea City and, as far as Wigan are concerned, let's just say we were quite happy to see them winning last weekend."
Jenkins would not go into detail, but it is thought Wigan's form this term will impact on two deals they did with Swansea during the close season.
First there was the compensation package Dave Whelan eventually agreed with Jenkins for Martinez, then came the initial £2 million transfer of Jason Scotland.
Between the two of them, they could earn Swansea a seven- figure bonus by staying in the Premier League.
"We have got an interest in how Wigan do this season," added Jenkins.
"We have got something riding on them staying up."
So are Swansea City's owners closet Wigan fans for the season?
"You might say that," Jenkins admitted.
Gareth Vincent
5 Comments
by Michael, swansea
Thursday, December 03 2009, 11:43PM
“forget wigan get behind the current team now please and
try to find a job of some kind for
lee trundle”
by norman p spencer, caerphilly
Thursday, December 03 2009, 2:19PM
“Although I fully agree with Paul Jones` sentiments in this matter it is now time to put some clear blue water between what has now passed into Swansea City history.
In one of the many twists and turns that life brings I actually believe the club is now stronger as a result of what transpired in the close season.
It is also a irrefutible fact that Swansea City will always be "out on a limb" both geographically and financially so everyone should be bursting with pride with the progress and achievements of the club to the present day.
In Paulo we trust.”
by anon, ssea
Thursday, December 03 2009, 1:23PM
“back in the summer the wigan chairman was on sky slagging off swansea for not allowing wigan to walk all over us while at the time the wigan chairman was abroad on holiday and he expected swansea to do all the work when it was wigan whom were taking all our staff.
anyway can wigan give us jordi gomez back on loan ?”
by DJ, Swansea
Thursday, December 03 2009, 1:10PM
“I don't believe anyone ever suggested support of Martinez and Wigan should be "bought" as has been mentioned. The people who continue to hate all things Martinez and Wigan are in a tiny minority of true Swans supporters, and if Huw Jenkins has done a deal with Wigan that helps the Swans if Wigan do ok, then well done Huw. I am not a supporter of Wigan but I am certainly interested in seeing how they are doing, seeing as there are ex Swans players and staff there. It is possible, thank god, to support a team without having to irrationally hate any other team because they had the sheer audacity to offer some Swans staff/players a better deal than the Swans could afford.”
by Paul Jones, Swansea
Thursday, December 03 2009, 12:36PM
“Money may be king in football, but as a supporter it will not buy my support of Martinez and Wigan.”