Wigan Athletic: Tom Watson and Jonny Smith situations will be on Shaun Maloney's mind | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney must sort out these two situations next season

Highlights

Anticipation at Wigan Athletic will be building with just one month to go until the 2024/25 League One season gets underway and manager Shaun Maloney will be looking to complete any outstanding transfer business in the coming days and weeks.

Earlier in the window, the Latics completed loan deals for Brentford's Michael Olakigbe and Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay, as well as the permanent signing of Dion Rankine from Chelsea.

But Maloney previously told Wigan Today in June that he wanted "90% of the squad" in place before the club's warm-weather training camp in Hungary, which took place in the first week of July.

This wish has clearly not been totally fulfilled, as following their recent return from Hungary, the Latics still have notable gaps in their squad, as youth academy graduate Josh Stones is now the only recognised striker at the Brick Community Stadium.

However, following desperately turbulent times under the club's previous two owners, they're are now in safe hands under local billionaire Mike Danson and supporters will likely remain patient, knowing that transfer deals are probably on their way.

On the whole, Maloney has done a stellar job as Wigan boss, guiding his side to a top-half finish last campaign despite facing a transfer embargo and an eight-point deduction.

But FLW takes a look at two players whose situations the Scot will have to carefully manage next season.

Tom Watson

Latics academy graduate goalkeeper Tom Watson could be seen by the club's senior figures as the natural heir to fellow homegrown talent Sam Tickle, who will eventually leave the Brick Community Stadium given his current status as England Under-21 goalkeeper and amid reported interest from nearby Premier League outfit Everton.

For as long as Tickle remains with the Latics, Watson will have to deputise for the 22-year-old, while training alongside one of League One's best shot-stoppers will help the 19-year-old's development.

The recent signing of veteran keeper Andy Lonergan as player-coach will also aid the growth of both academy products, while Tickle could be likely to leave the club by next summer, despite being under contract until 2028.

If that eventuality occurs, then Watson could have the opportunity to step up and become Maloney's number one but his current deal with the Latics expires next summer.

The Latics boss will therefore have the potential challenge of convincing the teenager to renew his terms at the Brick Community Stadium, while also offering him a lack of game time for as long as Tickle is also with the club.

Handing Watson playing opportunities in the EFL Trophy or even the EFL Cup and FA Cup could hold the key for Maloney when it comes to dealing with this issue.

Jonny Smith

Last season was Jonny Smith's first campaign with the Latics after signing on a free transfer from former club Burton Albion last summer, and the former Brewers man produced a League One return of three goals and two assists in 27 appearances and 13 starts.

Smith was used as a rotation player by Maloney for much of last season, but by the end of the campaign, the 26-year-old established himself as a first team star, as he was named in the starting 11 for each of the last four games, a run in which he scored two goals which came in victories over Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers.

The wideman produces his best football when deployed on the right wing due to his ability to cut inside onto his favoured left foot and score from range, as expertly demonstrated during a 1-1 draw with Barnsley on New Year's Day.

But this may not be possible for Smith next season due to the presence of Olakigbe, who will likely be Maloney's first choice on the right after joining from Brentford.

Like the previously mentioned Watson, the former Wrexham man's contract expires next summer, and he may be reluctant to renew should Olakigbe stand in his way when it comes to first team opportunities.