The Answerman, Soccer 365’s Football journalist Jerrad Peters takes your questions, sheds light on the competitive Vatican football team (they could field a competitive squad merely from drawing on their Brazilian pupils) and explains why Wigan are off to a great Barclays Premier League start.

Does the Vatican field a competitive football team?
-Sean, Winnipeg

As a matter of fact, Vatican City is home to 16 football clubs in two divisions. But while the matches are notoriously loud and competitive, none of the participating sides are a part of the Italian federation, or Federcalcio.

Instead, they compete in the Clericus Cup. The tournament began in February, 2007 and its third installment will kick off next month. Championship matches are played at the picturesque Stadio dei Marmi – a 76-year-old structure along the banks of the Tiber River. As you’d expect for the home venue of the Holy See, the building and its vicinity are extravagant and eye-catching. Sixty sculptures of white marble decorate the grounds.

The Church’s affection for football has largely been due to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. While Archbishop of Genoa, Bertone commented on several matches and brought that enthusiasm to Rome when he was appointed to his current post in 2006.

In a widely-reported interview with the Ansa news agency in 2006, Bertone remarked, “I do not preclude the possibility that the Vatican, in the future, could put together a football team of great value that could play on the same level as Roma, Inter Milan, and Sampdoria.” He went on to say that the Holy See could field a competitive squad simply by drawing on its Brazilian pupils.

Vatican City is also one of eight autonomous regions that boasts a national team. Coached by Gianfranco Guadagnoli, they wear a yellow strip with white sleeves and socks and play home matches at the tiny Stadio Pio XII. Their only international match was a 0-0 draw against Monaco in 2002. The remaining six sovereign states without official FIFA recognition are Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and Tuvalu. Vatican City is ranked 223rd in the world according to the Elo ranking system.

What do you make of Wigan’s start to the season?
-Tyril, Seattle

I’m glad you asked this question, because Wigan Athletic are a side that deserves to be talked about. Manager Steve Bruce has worked wonders since arriving from Birmingham City. And with chairman Dave Whelan committed to making astute, meaningful signings, the Latics are set up to be a Premier League club for years to come.

What makes the Wigan revolution so enticing is the manner in which they have built their squad – particularly when compared with the likes of Manchester City. Personally, I recognized the Latics as a team worth watching after Amr Zaki was brought in on a one-year loan from Zamalek. Having covered the African Nations Cup in February, I was fully aware of the 25-year-old striker’s abilities and was pleased as punch to learn that Steve Bruce was of the same mind. Predictably, Zaki made an immediate impact. In early September, The Mirror’s Stan Collymore stated his belief that the Egypt international would finish top-scorer in the division. I suspect he’ll be spot on.

Having said that, Zaki’s supporting cast is exceptional. Emile Heskey’s contributions, in particular, need no introduction. In fact, if Zaki keeps producing and Bruce is able to sign another young forward in January, the veteran England international may well bid adieu to JJB Stadium.

In the midfield, the combination of Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia is pure magic. Palacios, a 24-year-old Honduras international, is tick behind the tock. He is a gifted technical footballer and functions in a similar role Xavi at Barcelona. Valencia, meanwhile, scored an absolute thunderbolt against Manchester City on Sunday. At 23, the Ecuador international is quickly establishing himself as one of the best wingers in English football. He was got on a bargain from Villarreal – a typical Wigan signing.

One of Bruce’s best moves, however, was the $6.2 million signing of Lee Cattermole from Middlesbrough. A bona fide England Under-21 international, the 20-year-old defensive midfielder has already made a big impression at Wigan. And his willingness to join the club is a signal that Premier League players are taking the Latics very, very seriously.

Have a question about football? Email your query to jerradpeters@gmail.com.