Man City Square
Fansided

FA Cup: Lactics next up to face Pep’s tactics

By Jason Bardwell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City looks dejected in defeat as Wigan Athletic playes celebrate the FA Cup with Budweiser Final between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium on May 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City looks dejected in defeat as Wigan Athletic playes celebrate the FA Cup with Budweiser Final between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium on May 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City looks dejected in defeat as Wigan Athletic playes celebrate the FA Cup with Budweiser Final between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium on May 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City looks dejected in defeat as Wigan Athletic playes celebrate the FA Cup with Budweiser Final between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium on May 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

It was five years ago when Manchester City traveled to Wembley for their second FA Cup Final in three years. Roberto Mancini had just delivered the same trophy two seasons before, along with the Premier League trophy a season later.

It was meant to be a formality for the Blues to lift the trophy once more. A relegation threatened Wigan Athletic side against title chasing City was a  no brainer. Under the surface though, all was not as it seemed. Manchester City would turn in a terrible performance, and Wigan kept pace.

When it looked as if the game would go to extra time, up stepped substitute Ben Watson to end the game for the Lactics. Two days later, Roberto Mancini was sacked as City manager, with Wigan eventually getting relegated at the season’s end.

Five years on, and the path of both clubs has been completely different. Manchester City have gone on to become the dominant force we see currently, with Pep Guardiola at the helm. For the Lactics, relegation followed quick changes in manager.

Owen Coyle took over from Roberto Martinez, who moved to Everton before being replaced by City legend Uwe Rosler. The two clubs would meet in the FA Cup yet again the next season, with Wigan winning yet again.

Rosler was fired after a year in charge, with Malky Mackay coming in. Long time chairman, Dave Whelan stepped down as Chairman, and Wigan were relegated again. Mackay was replaced with Captain Gary Caldwell. Since Caldwell’s sacking in October 2016, Wigan have had three managers, a promotion, and subsequent relegation.

Now drawn at home to Manchester City in the cup yet again, they find themselves top of the tree in League One. There is no doubt that the two sides are now vastly different from the sides which met at Wembley in 2013.

Although, the tie doesn’t come at the greatest of times for the Blues. Penciled in for the 17th February, it comes four days after a trip to Switzerland, and before the Carabao Cup Final against Arsenal. Certainly Paul Cook will fancy their chances anyway, especially if Will Gregg’s on fire.

Home/Domestic Cups