Progress With Unity Podcast Christmas Special - Best of 2014 (Jan-May)

Compliments of the season, podcasters! I bring you this Christmas message: Whenever the travails of supporting Wigan Athletic get you down, just think about that open top bus travelling through Beech Hill... oh wait, did I tell you that already happened? Wigan Athletic won the FA Cup, you know...

Please enjoy this compilation of funny/interesting bits from the PWU Podcast in the first half of 2014. Cheers!

Progress With Unity Podcast #110: Watford review, Rotherham, Leeds and Bolton previews

"But I only came to wish you a Merry Christmas! And eat your flesh."

First, I have some bad news for you - this the last 'proper' PWU Podcast of the year! This means we'll be taking a 3-week Christmas break during the Wars of the Roses v. Rotherham, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday.

But here's the good news - we have a bumper pre-Xmas special complete with mince pies, greetings cards and special guests from the hostile side of the Pennines. And maybe, just maybe, something else might be coming up before we next convene... but more about that as and when it happens.

Just try to forget the bad football and have a fantastic Christmas, podcasters.

Progress With Unity Podcast #109: Norwich review, Watford preview

This pic was requested by the PWU crew. Merry Christmas!

The panellists are restless - some more so than others. My bottom, for one, spent the best part of 62 long recording minutes (including the naughty bits that were cut out) shifting around in its chair. Like Latics, it struggles to find a comfortable position, and I think it might be after Christmas before it settles on a long-term resting place.

Wait, did I really just compare Wigan Athletic to my backside? Jim Royle, eat your heart out.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Adam, Mick, Dan and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #108: Sheffield Wednesday review, Norwich preview

George Formby goes sidesaddle. (c)Jorge Royan

Changing managers is like having a leg amputation: it may hurt at first, but soon you'll feel nothing. But then you realise you can't take free kicks half as well as you could, and retire to a Cornish farm to become a professional pirate. In other words, it'll all work out OK in the end, so don't worry - the Twitterati will do enough of that for you.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Adam, Mick and Paul

Progress With Unity Podcast #107: Middlesbrough review, Sheffield Wednesday preview

(c) Phil Guest

Good evening, good evening! Welcome back to Catchphrase with me, Roy Yacker. Before the break we saw Uwe lose all his prize money with a few incorrect decisions, but that's the way the game works. Grant Holt, Andy Delort, Oriol Riera and everyone else in the audience, you're all back in play for the next round - The Pre-Christmas Elimination Challenge! Who's gonna lose out? Let's find out right now...

Around the table this evening: Dan, Paul, Gareth, Adam, Rob and Mick

Progress With Unity Podcast #106: Rosler out, Mackay in & mini Middlesbrough preview

'Ullo Dave, got a new gaffer?

So I guess nobody expected that one, eh? England beating Scotland 3-1 and not a Shaun Maloney free kick in sight… shocking. And to make it worse, they’re closing the Tudor House!

Well, we don’t normally have a lot to say during these international break editions (and you know that's a bare-faced lie), but regular listener D Whelan of Poolstock has kindly given us all something to talk about. That's right, Donny Whelan from Wigan Road has sent us a ten-page document of factual errors and mistakes since PWU's inception some two-and-a-half years ago...

(Enough of this barminess, just listen to the show.)

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Adam, Rob, Greg, Mick, Dan and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #105: Bolton review

Rosler the Goat is about to embark on a wild ride.

Mr Whelan has spoken: Rosler shall survive the international break... probably. But will it be lonely this Christmas, without Uwe to hold responsible? Potential scapegoats must file their applications right now, for it will take PWU at least a month to negotiate the forest of admin - who will be the source of seasonal jokes on those there small time weblogs? Listen now and know.

Around the table: Barry, Gareth, Adam, Rob, Paul T, Mick and Dan

Progress With Unity Podcast #104: Fulham and Brighton reviews, Bolton preview

Aha, so *that's* where Albert Crusat went... (c) Paddy Patterson

It's only taken us 104 episodes, but Progress With Unity have finally coaxed an away supporter into the cauldron that is Studio PWU! Boltonian Stu is joined by Wiganer Adam and the regular panellists to discuss Owen Coyle, Coyle, Krispy Coyle and Owen... and you'll be very pleased to hear it is not the Michael variety.

Get ready for fireworks! Quite literally, since we couldn't get them to stop letting them off while we were recording. Oh well, at least you'll have something other than us to listen to when the conversation inevitably drifts towards matters non-football. Not that we ever let that happen, oooh nooo.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Adam, Rob, Mick, Dan and Stu

Progress With Unity Podcast #103: Derby review, Fulham and Brighton previews

PWU: good old fashioned family entertainment

Those anger management classes have done wonders for the PWU panellists. Turns out only a spell locked in a dark room with the 2013 FA Cup DVD could quell the rage committed to tape seven days ago... well, that and a healthy three point medicinal dose. I promise we've all calmed down now, so it's safe to listen in public again. But listener discretion is still advised, because I can't guarantee this edition will be completely free of Incredible Hulk moments!

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Pete, Rob and Dan

Progress With Unity Podcast #102: Brentford and Millwall super-review, Derby preview

Live in-vision editing at Studio PWU.

If you only listen to one episode of the PWU Podcast this season, make it this one, because any semblance of self-control has been cast away on a rather blue breeze. Rosler supporters might want to cover their ears for the next sixty minutes, because that cutting criticism locked in a cage following Mr Coyle's departure has been unleashed in a tirade of angry four-letter outbursts.

With that in mind, dare you last the full hour? Go on, do it...

Around the table this week: Barry, Dan, Mick, Paul T, Rob and Gareth.

Progress With Unity Podcast #101: Internationals review, Brentford and Millwall previews

"Who dug those trenches in the road? I'm gonna ring the council about this..."

PWU spoils you, it really does. First we granted you a week off for the internationals, and now we present a full hour-long show even in the absence of any domestic football to speak of! As usual, there are 101 somewhat relevant topics (ohh, see what I did there?) to discuss courtesy the general public. Speaking of which, erm, best to move on quickly...

Around the table this week: Barry, Rob, Greg, Paul T and Mick

Progress With Unity Podcast #100: Wolves review, Q&A with PWU

The tea party is on hold for now!

Something something Wolves, something something Marc-Antoine Fortune, mumble mumble internationals. 

Now, I know what you're thinking: "That was a relatively low key 100th episode considering last week's big build up (although admittedly only on certain fan blogs) - where's the big celebration?"

Well, 7.00pm on Wednesday 15th October is the date for your diary. On that evening, PWU shall be holding its first open forum, and we want you to come on down to the Beech Hill Book Cycle and pose questions to the panel. Ooh, exciting, eh?

But that's not all! We're working hard to collar some special guests, whom you can find more about on the Latics fansite newswires in the coming days. And I promise it won't just be me pretending to be Paul Scharner again... maybe.

Around the rather fancy table this week: Barry, Gareth, Greg, Paul, Mick and Dan

Progress With Unity Podcast #99: Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest reviews, Wolves preview

(c)Nikoretro

For this 'Finding Our Way Out Of The Forest Edition' (groan), the Progress With Unity Podcast welcomes a new arrival to its Beech Hill (well, Swinley) studio - a glossy conference table complete with plush chairs. It's just like being at work, except literally nothing *ever* works properly on the PWU Podcast. He-heyyy!

Terry AKA Vancouver Latic is back for his second appearance of three before he returns to his adopted homeland, and it makes for conversation even tastier than the titular 99 with Flake. Simply delicious.

Around the table this week: Barry, Dan, Mick, Terry, Paul T, Rob and Gareth

Progress With Unity Podcast #98: Ipswich review, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest previews

Happy 40th... er, 100th birthday, telly techs!

It hasn't just been a momentous week for the mighty Ceefax, who hit the big four-O on Tuesday - PWU is celebrating its own landmark. Nope, we haven't uncovered evidence of an actual listener, though we would appreciate if you could let us know when you find him. Nine participants is a record for this humble Wigan Athletic fan podcast, and... er, we're very proud indeed.

*Lifts trophy aloft, man at back of auditorium claps*

What next, eh? Maybe we might go a podcast without mentioning Grant Holt or biscuits. Yep, that'll be the one I'm on holiday for.

This week starring: Barry, Gareth, Greg, Paul, Mick, Rob, Dan, Terry and Pete.

Progress With Unity Podcast #97: Blackburn and Huddersfield reviews, Ipswich preview

That can't be McManaman because he's shooting! (Badum tish)

With all this talk of missed penalties, you might think this is a podcast about the England national team. But stuff international matches, because the aftermath is invariably disastrous for Wigan Athletic, regardless of who was or wasn't on last week's plane/bus/trike to Interglobia!

Never mind, for the multimedia televisual extravaganza that is Monday Night Football beckons. I would enjoy the game on telly, but, er, they won't let me take my CRT TV through the DW turnstiles.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Paul T, Dan and Mick

Progress With Unity Podcast #96: International review, Blackburn and Huddersfield previews

It's chicken flavour, I promise.

We ought to stop saying we have nothing to talk about during international week, because we invariably find something that piques our interest to such an extent that the remaining 25 minutes of allocated (internet) airtime are exhausted analysing every minute detail of it. I won't say who got us riled up this week, but he may be known for his shorts. And I'm not talking about Walt Disney (again)...

Around the table this week: Barry, Rob, Mick, Dan, Paul T and Gareth

Progress With Unity Podcast #95: Birmingham review, Deadline Day Deals, September preview

(c)Illarterate

Welcome, Progress With Unity Podcasters! Bamber Boozler here with a deadline day report. We can only fit 70 words onto a single teletext page, so hit the red button to see more information on Wigan Athletic's four signings. Except we could only afford to broadcast two pages so stand by for their dates of birth and astrological star sign courtesy Russell Grant in glorious glitch-o-vision.

In short, check back tomorrow when we have more space to fit the informat

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Paul T, Dan, Mick and Greg

Progress With Unity Podcast #94: Blackpool review, Birmingham preview

Me, seconds after the Boyeson non-advantage incident. 

Those blasted refs, they can't do anything right. Never mind that Warburton chap being the most hated in Wigan, how about every Championship ref? Agh, I'm too easily swayed by those Negative Neddies (and Noras) around me in the East Stand. Quite how can you complain about officiating when you win? Eh?

For a comprehensive(?) answer, click that app's play button - PWU will satisfy your need for weekly Latics comment to fill your ears. And dodgy predictions. And shameless plugs...

Around the table this week: Barry, Mick, Dan, Rob and Gareth

Progress With Unity Podcast #93: Charlton and Cardiff review, Blackpool preview

Sometimes you just have to let off some steam, something inside you that's been building up for hours. Ever since you had that curry for tea, in fact. OK, I apologise for being so infantile, but after a hard week watching Latics, nothing beats going to work on a Saturday... wait, did I get those the wrong way round? Probably not.

Hit the play button on that mp3 widget and scream along with us, why doncha?

Around the table this week: Barry, Dan, Rob and Gareth

Progress With Unity Podcast #92: Reading and Burton Albion reviews, Charlton and Cardiff previews

May these bananas represent Wigan's thus yet unripe team.

You join us smack bang in the middle of a Latics partybus tour! From Burton, we now head on down to London then Cardiff on our summer tour of the country, so care to join us? We're aiming to test out the pies of each and every motorway burger stand en route... and there's some football in there as well, I think. I dunno, the Progress With Unity team usually deal with that sort of thing - I'm just the (poor) copywriter.

In the studio this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob and Dan

Progress With Unity Podcast #91: Fans forum review, Reading preview

A very spicy flavour to this evening's Progress With Unity Podcast courtesy a certain snackfood. Here's a clue: they looked exactly like the items pictured above except with the appearance of rotten pizza.

With that inevitable food reference out of the way, we moved on to footballing matters of utmost importance, such as why the new Wigan Athletic home kits have black shorts. Don't ask me for answers, just listen to the 'cast!

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Paul T and Mick

Progress With Unity Podcast #90: Pre-season prattling

Hey, you can't accuse *us* of 'phoning it in'...

Oh, look - the season starts a week on Saturday. Well, suppose we'd better start this thing up again, eh?

"But what will you talk about, seeing as there have been no competitive games?"

I dunno, probably biscuits again. Er... that Oreo Riera, he's pretty good, no?

Round the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #89: World Cup Preview Special

(c)Mariordo @ Wikipedia

The Progress With Unity Podcast team thumb through their Panini sticker albums to present a summer special whirlwind romp through each of the FIFA World Cup groups. Naturally, there is a healthy bias towards those players with a Latics connection, so fans of domestic football (yes, we know you're out there) will also enjoy this hour-long international futbol fest.

Altogether now: goooooollll....

World Cup Roundtable participants: Barry, Gareth, Paul, and and Mick.

Progress With Unity Podcast #88: QPR Playoff review, end of season musings

(c)Kenta Cho/Bayo

Game over, man, gaaame ooover! What, just like that? One minute you're embroiled in a heated Championship playoff tie, the next you're planning the following month's summer trip to Wigan Beach. Sudden death football has a horrible habit of curtailing your podcast's season like that.

So to PWU 2014 swansong (as opposed to Jean song), the final episode of this campaign. But we shall see you in the summer for the World Cup Special! 'Til then, sayonara.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #87: Blackburn review, QPR playoffs preview

(c)Keitei at Wikipedia

Please welcome a brand new addition to the Progress With Unity Podcast team, one Ali 'Ballet' Al Habsi. You may well have heard of him - he's the guy that escorts chickens from Ewood Parks in his spare time. He's also going to be keeping two clean sheets on Friday and Monday... we hope.

Right, I think it's time to dive shoulders-deep into the mud, don't you?

In the studio this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick and Paul T (and Ali Al H)

Progress With Unity Podcast #86: Blackpool and Birmingham reviews, Blackburn and playoff previews

No, wrong type of playoff, fool! (c)2O at Wikipedia

Ladies and gentlemen, we did it. Now let's go out and do it again... three times! Wigan Athletic's near faultless FA Cup record stands us in good stead for this, our first playoff venture in over a decade. We've almost forgotten what it's like... spoiled, we are. Kids today, eh?

Around the table this fine spring week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick and Paul

Progress With Unity Podcast #85: Reading and Burnley reviews, Blackpool and Birmingham previews

Image (c)R Lee

I must take this opportunity to apologise to any Blackpool fans offended by certain comments in this edition. Unnecessary violence towards donkeys, or any animal whatsoever, is not tolerated. Stereotyping, on the other hand...

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #84: Arsenal review, Reading and Burnley previews

Come on guys, cheer up. I can sympathise with your current grumpy mood, because losing on penalties is enough to turn the jolliest of football supporters into Charlie Brooker-style moansters. Not that the PWU Podcast team need such things to trigger heated debate on Latics-related subjects. Eee, Happy Easter!

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Paul T, Dan and Mick

Progress With Unity Podcast #83: Leeds and Millwall reviews, and Another Wembley Special

Let the above image be the final reference to last week's fixtures. From half time in the Leeds game, our minds have been 200-odd miles away in a big stadium somewhere in the north west of London. But our bodies will rejoin our brains at The Wembleton soon enough, for the FA Cup Semi Final beckons. Bringiddon.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #82: Bolton and Leicester reviews, Leeds and Millwall previews

Just like Dave Whelan recently took control of Chonkin' Feckle for an early Cup Semi Final tune, Dan takes the reins for the Pre-Pre-Wembley Edition. Hey, you can't accuse us of being league-centric! Or perhaps you can, as we don't really talk *that* much about the Arsenal game. Just roll the tape, John...

In Studio PWU this week: Barry, Paul T, Dan, Rob and Gareth.

Progress With Unity Podcast #81: Watford and QPR reviews, Bolton and Leicester previews

Pic (c)ArtNow314/Illarterate

So the unbeaten run has ended. We must all pack our respective items and head into the gloom of summer mediocrity once more, for Wigan's season is now surely over.

Hah, not on your nelly! Got that Wembley coach trip booked yet? Good, because you'll need to sort another two before May is out. Oh yes, and we are staying up, I said we are staying up.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #80: Ipswich and Yeovil reviews, Watford and QPR previews

Uh oh, is that the Latics emergency ambulance approaching? I wonder who's on the club doctor's ever-growing waiting list this week - perhaps one of the many supporters wounded by wayward shots? Perhaps Uwe hurt his foot kicking the changing room wall after a last-minute goal from Yeovil robbed Latics of a ninth straight victory? And will I ever end a sentence without a question mark? Answer: nope.

Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #79: Man City and Sheff Wed reviews, Ipswich preview

In the immortal words of The Legend Matt McCann, there just ain't no stoppin' Wigan Athletic! These Progress With Unity podcasts are incredibly easy when everything you touch turns to that cream from Maryland Gooeys, the only thing that might be described as better than watching Wigan at this point in time.

Time to start writing that Cup Final song, methinks... hey, wait a minute! What does Neil Warnock have to do with this post? Ah well, I thought it was quite funny, so yeah.

In the Springfield this week: Dan, Gareth, Helena, Paul T and Mick

Progress With Unity Podcast #78: Nottingham Forest Review, Man City and Sheffield Wednesday previews

Did you know that Wigan won the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Manchester City last year? Well now you know the significance of this weekend's 'return leg' at the Etihad Stadium AKA The Colosseum. I've only one thing to say: where was Edgar Davids when we needed him? Should Sunday end with Wigan in the draw for the semis, it'll be time to draw up a petition to bring him back. We love you, Edgar!

In Studio PWU this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick and Paul T

Progress With Unity Podcast #77: Brighton review, Nottingham Forest preview

Pic courtesy Lionel Allorge

Don't be scared! That weird warbling noise is just the Progress With Unity Podcast team recording their weekly chat about bad refs with added cheesy Owen Coyle jokes. Thankfully there aren't many of the latter this week so listen in confidence... but watch out for the jump scares!

(Not really, we wouldn't subject you to such horrors.)

This week's phantom flan flingers: Barry, Gareth, Rob and Dan

Progress With Unity Podcast #76: Cardiff and Barnsley reviews, Brighton preview

Have Latics really played 43 matches this season? We might not be able to sell the television advertising space of a Premier League club, but at least we get to see more football, which, after all, is what being a fan is all about.

(Stares at Premier League table longingly.)

This edition is something of a covert Coyle post-Valentine's love-in, so the hardcore Roslerites may want to cover their ears.

In Studio PWU this week: Barry, Gareth, Paul T, Dan and Mick

Progress With Unity Podcast #75: Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday reviews, Cardiff and Barnsley previews

Ready your provisions! There's a lot to rifle through this week - two match reviews, two previews and exclusive interviews... all on the day of the Uwe Rosler/Jonathan Jackson fansites' forum! It's probably a good idea for me to stop wafflin' so you can get listenin'.

Oh yeah, and the full Rosler chat is coming soon. Keep thine eyes, ears and bananas peeled.

In the studio this week: Dan, Mick, Rob, Gareth and Paul
On location at Christopher Park: Barry and Greg

Progress With Unity Podcast #74: Charlton review, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday previews

Tch, flipping typical. As the Progress With Unity 'casters emerged from the team coach to record this latest edition, irate passers-by cast rotten fruit in their general direction. See, Dan, this is what happens when you correctly predict a scoreline! Oh dear, the streams have been crossed...

If you aren't a fan of semi-obscure references, let's just say you probably won't want another hot dog after listening to this episode. At the very least, be sure to finish your tea first.

In the studio this week: Barry, Gareth, Dan, Kathryn, Greg, Mick and Rob

Progress With Unity Podcast #73: Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough review, Charlton preview

I had been searching my local supermarket for this new-fangled liquid football Alan Partridge keeps talking about, sadly to no avail. Turns out all I had to do was head down to the DW Stadium on Saturday for the Palace game. Ah-haaah!

Also this week, the 'Boro game is briefly discussed, while the coming weekend's feast of footy is given significant column inches. Or, in the case of the PWU Podcast, airtime.

Waitaminute... that's *Bobby* in the picture - wrong Charlton! I need to pay more attention during these podcasts.


Around the table this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Mick, Helena, Greg and Paul

Progress With Unity Podcast #72: Doncaster review, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough previews

To all the fans taking to the Wigan highways for Saturday's showdown with Crystal Palace, remind yourself how lucky you are *not* to be on Chris Rea's Road to Hell. For an extra Owen Coyle-esque point, have the tune playing on your radio as you trundle along to Stade DW. For three, get that PWU Podcast on your generic tablet PC!

In the house this week: Barry, Gareth, Rob, Dan, Paul T, Mick and Greg

Progress With Unity Podcast #71: Bournemouth and MK Dons review, Doncaster preview

The Progress With Unity crew are in boisterious mood, with every member predicting a massive win against Doncaster. Is this overconfidence? Foolishness? Or has stand-in Statman Dan got everyone fooled with his accurate facts and figures?

In PWU Studio 1 this week: Barry, Helena, Paul T, Greg, Rob, Mick and Dan

Progress With Unity Podcast #70: MK Dons review and replay preview, Bournemouth preview

For the benefit of those listening while tiling their kitchen, this week's episode of the PWU Podcast is presented in crystal clear crackle Dodgy Digital Tin Can Sound where available.

Dare I mention the 'magic' of the FA Cup again? Yes, because we might not be able to do so after next week. So here goes: theFACupisthegreatestthingeverandyoushouldloveit... etc.

In the studio this week: Barry, Paul T, Gareth, Dan, Greg, Mick and Rob

Progress With Unity Podcast #69: Birmingham, Burnley and Derby review, MK Dons preview

January already? Uh oh, the season starts here so it's time for the Progress With Unity team to take it all seriously again. Hahah, fat chance o' that! Welcome to a whole new year of irrelevance and irreverence with the PWU Podcast, still the most popular Wigan Athletic fan podcast on the web.

(Well, it's the only Latics fan podcast but don't tell anyone!)

Around the table this week: Barry, Greg, Gareth, Paul T and Dan