this season. As is obvious, I see two of the promoted clubs staying up, and someone has to fall away. Given Wigan have been there or thereabouts since pretty much their second season in the Premier League (bar the only full season Steve Bruce had in charge, when Amr Zaki didn’t act like a 10-year-old deprived of an Xbox), it seems a mathematical probability, if not a certainty, that they will go down.

Martinez has, to his credit, made some useful signings in the summer. The capture of Ali Al-Habsi on a permanent deal is a great move given his performances last season, and the fact that Chris Kirkland is a member of the Jonathan Woodgate Injured Players Association. Al-Habsi also joins that elite group of talented Omani playersin the Premier League (him). Otherwise, former Man United youngster David Jones has been brought in from Wolves to give another option in midfield, and record signing Mauro Boselli has buggered off back to Argentina on loan (again).

In all, a season to end in failure for Wigan. But it has been, to drift into X Factor parlance, one hell of a journey for them.

19. Swansea City

As much as I like to see the newly promoted sides do well (particularly given the odds against their survival), I think the first Welsh side in the Premier League will fall by the wayside after a year. Swansea are the epitome of the modern Championship side; a club in a good-sized city, playing quality football in a shiny new stadium with a