It could be a long season for…Wigan, Blackpool, Newcastle and West Ham

With just one set of Barclays Premier League fixtures completed, there’s nothing like indulging in a bit of hyperbole when describing the fortunes of the protagonists in England’s sensationalised top flight.

Judging by their opening day performance against Blackpool and subsequent 4-0 defeat in front of their own fans, it could be a long season for Wigan Athletic. Manager Roberto Martinez’s charges will already be feeling the pressure and their woes are unlikely to be remedied this weekend against a rampant Chelsea side, fresh from their 6-0 demolition of newly promoted West Bromwich Albion.

Wigan have lived the dream since their promotion to the Premier League in 2005. Their first game of that maiden season was a plucky home defeat to Chelsea, echoing this weekend’s fixture. At times the Latics have flirted with danger, notably at the end of the 2006/2007 season where only a last day victory at Sheffield United sealed their escape from relegation at the Blades’ expense.

Perhaps then we shouldn’t be too worried about their fate as they always seem to pull through. Indeed, last season Roberto Martinez’s side were known for their inconsistencies, losing 9-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in one of the many drubbings they received.

The Latics were saved by collecting points from games against struggling sides and impressive scalps. Lest we forget, in the 2009/2010 home fixture with Chelsea, last season’s champions, Wigan triumphed 2-1.

Much could depend on whether Martinez can hold onto prized asset, Charles N’Zogbia, the defender cum midfielder who has courted the attentions of the likes of Arsenal. Meanwhile the Latics are hoping to sign Turkish international Tuncay from Stoke City for £4 million with striker Jason Scotland set to sign for Ipswich Town.

Blackpool’s dream start to their first Premier League season was lauded by colourful manager Ian Holloway but quickly put into perspective given the enormity of the task of avoiding relegation.

The club are in turmoil following the resignation of chairman Karl Oyston, something that was perhaps foreshadowed in some of Holloways comments following the victory against Wigan.

“I’ve had those lads twice on the grass,” he continued. “It’s been a hideous pre-season for me, the chairman and secretary because I am so shocked at what everybody else is on and what they are paying – we are completely out of our depth” Holloway told the BBC’s Match of the Day.

Oyston had been vocal in his desire to keep spending under control and imposed a £10,000 a week restriction on player’s salaries. Whether this led to differences with Holloway has not been revealed although rumours persist that the manager could be the next person out of the door.

“Hopefully, we’ll get it sorted and bring some more in because, if you look at the games we’ve got and the rules, we are miles behind everybody,” he added.

Blackpool face a stern test against Arsenal at The Emirates this weekend and will hope to have completed the signing of striker Bret Pitman from Bournemouth. The Seasider’s adventurous style could see them taught a footballing lesson by a technically superior Gunners team who may open them up at will.

It will be interesting to see if Holloway sticks with his preferred 4-3-3 system should positive results fail to materialise. West Bromwich Albion, under Tony Mowbray, tried to play attractive football having been promoted however their other deficiencies were ruthlessly exposed in the Premier League and they went down.

Much has been made about the perceived weaknesses of Newcastle United, the Geordie giants whose squad is largely made up of the same players who relegated the club two seasons ago.

Having succumbed to a routine 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford to Manchester United, a lack of quality and an inability to retain possession, showed. Still, it was against ‘Man. U’ and their talismanic old guard of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

Alas, manager Chris Hughton will be hoping for an improvement this weekend as they prepare to meet Aston Villa on Sunday, who may be feeling the effects of their midweek Europa League tie against Rapid Vienna.

Bad boy midfielder Joey Barton has grown an interesting ‘rat tache’ and will not give up his facial hair until Newcastle record their first victory. Team-mate Danny Guthrie insisted the Magpies can compete in the Premier League before the big kick-off although a lack of strength in depth and question marks over their defence and firepower linger.

Guthrie will be hoping his comments prior to the game against Manchester United ring true.

“It’s not all about the first day, we want to get off to a good start but whatever happens it’s not the be all and end all” he said.

West Ham United struggled last season under Gianfranco Zola amidst a takeover by David Gold and David Sullivan and subsequent comments from the new owners undermining the Italian’s authority and poor form that led to his dismissal.

They began their campaign with an ominous 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa, now suffering a managerial crisis themselves with Martin O’Neill walking out on them just days before the new season.

Former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has been brought in but how good a manager is he? He has remained stoical and dignified in the face of adversity at his former two clubs and was just a penalty kick away from Champions League glory against eventual winners, Manchester United.

But where are his concrete achievements? The locals in East London may become restless unless Grant can bring the best out of a squad with players such as Scott Parker, who always seem to be in demand, creating uncertainty amongst the team.

Indeed, hot air and rumour appears to undermine the club at present. Whether it is their bid to play at the Olympic Stadium post-2012 or gossip about David Beckham joining the club, fans will be hoping to see tangible progress in all areas and not ‘smoke in mirrors’.

Their highest profile signing so far this summer has been Kiwi international full-back, Winston Reid, not the signal of intent fans had previously hoped for.

Of course it’s far too early to consign the aforementioned teams to a season of doom and gloom but things don’t appear to be quite right at those in the spotlight. Whether it is boardroom strife, a lack of options amongst the respective squads or simply that the teams in question aren’t good enough, it could be a long season for some. In the land of plenty that is the Premier League, not everyone can be a winner.

By William Geldart