Teamwork, tactics and data: behind the scenes at Wigan’s pre-season training

Gary Caldwell, who returned to the League One club in February to keep them up, faces a new season with meticulous plans and bright hopes

“This is the only rule I’m going to have for yous all season: ‘team first’,” says Gary Caldwell. The Wigan head coach’s Scottish accent booms over the gentle hum of a projector in a darkened classroom at the club’s Christopher Park training ground. “That is the one thing that we cannot ever go against,” he says, pointing to a slide on screen. “The team is the most important aspect of everything we do.”

Three rows of professional athletes listen intently, keen to learn not only what the day holds, but about the 10 months ahead.