Reading best equipped to get back up

 

After Wigan's cup heroes failed to maintain their Premier League status, Christian Crowther assesses who is best equipped to bounce straight back...

 

You have to feel for Wigan. Denied the opportunity to properly celebrate their FA Cup triumph by impending league fixtures, they'll hardly feel like searching for the  champagne now.

 

Some would say it's been a long time coming after an eight-year spell in the top flight which, especially in latter seasons, has witnessed many a great escape.

 

The question is, can they, or the other relegated duo come straight back up, or will this signify the disintegration of the Dave Whelan dream?

 

First up, it seems very likely that a few key players will inevitably leave Wigan. The Latics, like QPR it could be argued, boast some players who do not only see  themselves as Premier League players but are also likely to attract interest from other top clubs.

 

It will be difficult for Wigan to hold on to talents such as Shaun Maloney, Callum McManaman, James McCarthy and Arouna Kone for instance.

 

Even if they do, there is the imminent threat of Roberto Martinez leaving the club as well, probably the most damaging possible departure of all.

 

The Spaniard, so often linked with other vacant managerial positions, is the 2.84 favourite to take the reins from David Moyes at Everton.

 

Of course, we've seen Martinez stay loyal to his chairman in the past, but a drop down to the Championship may be highly detrimental to his career development.

 

Whatever happens, Martinez will be desperate to sign off in what could transpire to be his last game at the helm with a victory at home to Aston Villa - priced at  2.24.

 

QPR can at least rely on having Harry Redknapp in the dugout for the start of their Championship campaign. So far, reports of a potential mass exodus have been  quashed, though such deep rooted problems in the dressing room are sure to make immediate return a tough ask, something the manager himself has been keen to reiterate.

 

Firstly, Redknapp will want to try and avoid finishing rock bottom, though securing victory at Anfield as one half of the bargain (Reading losing at West Ham is the  other) understandably sees the Hoops rated 1.05 favourites to remain last.

 

The team who may well have the most chance of delivering an immediate return is regular yo-yo side Reading. They have vast experience of the Championship, as well as  gaining promotion twice in their last five seasons at that level.

 

And, in manager Nigel Adkins, the Royals also have a man who knows what it takes to get them up after securing Southampton's promotion behind Reading last season. It  seems likely that the Berkshire outfit will retain the vast majority of their squad too.

 

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