Manchester United youngster not the answer to help Wigan to safety
Published:Wigan have done remarkably well to survive for six seasons in the Premier League without the aid of a prolific striker, but their time could finally be up this campaign.
Hugo Rodallega has had a decent stab of finding the target somewhat regularly for Wigan, but aside from him, the club have had a bit of a nightmare trying to find a viable alternative.
Marcelo Moreno, Mauro Boselli and current duo Franco Di Santo and Connor Sammon have all had major difficulties contributing more than a handful of goals each and Roberto Martinez cannot really afford another flop as Wigan prepare for another relegation battle.
Wigan’s 15 goals in their opening 17 games is the weakest in the entire Premier League and so it is testament to their defence that they are only one point from safety.
They will almost certainly need to improve their strike rate in the second half of the campaign if they want to seriously ensure survival and a new forward must be top of Martinez’ January shopping list.
However, bringing in Federico Macheda on loan from Manchester United is unlikely to prove the solution to their scoring difficulties.
Although clearly talented with the required attributes to be a potent striker, the 20-year-old has hardly been talismanic to date in his senior career.
Macheda has managed just five goals for Manchester United, while he failed to score a single Serie A goal in a loan spell at Sampdoria last season.
Based on his current record, Macheda will do well to score a handful of goals for Wigan, with the club realistically needing someone who will get close to double figures in terms of goals.
Therefore, if Macheda is brought in, Wigan’s current price of 7/10 in the Premier League odds to be relegated may represent good value.
