Moving to Wigan from Boro was not a step back, says Wildschut

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Former Middlesbrough winger Yanic Wildschut believes he didn’t get the chance to show his best on Teesside.

Yanic Wildschut has found a new lease of life at Wigan

Speaking to Gazette Live, Yanic Wildschut has said that his switch from Middlesbrough to Wigan was not a step back, but a chance to play regularly and also win something.

The Dutch winger joined the Latics on loan in October 2015 after a less than successful stint at Boro, where he only made 14 appearances after arriving in the North East from Dutch side Heerenvee

But, after being given the chance to shine at Wigan, Wildschut has gone on to help propel the club back into the Championship after a one year absence.

Yanic Wildschut has made 34 appearances for Wigan this past season

And speaking about his time at Boro, Wildschut is adamant that moving to Wigan was not a step back, because he was not able show his best during his time on Teesside.

“I think Boro fans saw glimpses of what I can do,” he told the Gazette.

“I didn’t get the chance to prove it over a longer spell of games because of the rotation and because others were doing well in the team.

“It was difficult to get into the team, but I think fans saw what I was capable of. I just didn’t get to show it consistently.

Wildschut does not believe the switch from Boro was a step back

“I played a lot for the Under-21s which was hard at Boro, and I knew I didn’t want to do that anymore. Moving to Wigan wasn’t a step back, I don’t see it as that, I saw it as a chance to play regularly and win something.

“I think I could have done more and achieved more at Boro, but it’s all about ‘if’. If I had played more, maybe I could have taken a chance. But I want to remember the good things while I was there – Liverpool away, Manchester City away, the road to Wembley – they were all fantastic.”

Wildschut certainly did go on to prove himself at Wigan, and a point underlined by the fact that he made League One’s team of the year.

Wigan Athletic’s Yanic Wildschut and Rochdale’s Joe Rafferty in action

The Dutchman contributed an impressive 7 goals and 14 assists towards Wigan’s promotion push this past season, all within just 34 League one appearances.

Whilst Wigan have made it back to the Championship, Wildschut will not get the chance to face his former employers next season, as Karanka’s side secured a long awaited return to the Premier League with a final day point against Brighton.