Wigan Athletic - Cat Calling

Vital member Phil Blinston (zakidaman) looks ahead to this afternoons game with Sunderland and gives us his verdict on how the game will unfold, over to you Phil:

Cat 'calling' maybe, but not another mauling.


Phil Blinston Latics Fan
(zakidaman)


Latics players may be licking their wounds after last weeks mauling at Spurs, but tomorrow, Bruce returns to the DW for first time since his move to Sunderland. If anyone was in any doubt before this game, that this was going to be a hard fought battle for the points, then be of no doubt now.

Latics are in no mood for another drubbing and I'm certain a large home crowd will be demanding maximum effort from the Latics. Bruce will be at the dugout in the newly named Springfield Park Stand, and I'm hoping the spirit of the old Spring Park will be working its Magic for Roberto Martinez.

Bruce will also be facing the wrath from home fans opposite, as the man who said 'the difference between Wigan and Sunderland, is that it's like shopping at Harrods and not Tesco's", well tomorrow Latics will be turning Clubcard points into Premiership points, and Bruce will have to walk away with his empty Harrods Bag.

Latics will turn on the Style, and when they do few teams can live with us. Tomorrow I think Roberto Martinez will find the 'ON' switch.

Bruce would have been looking to get something from this game. Bent has been on fire, and I expect him to play tomorrow, but he and his players must now be feeling the nerves, as they must be expecting a backlash from Latics.

Long balls to his target man Bent are expected. Bruce is also renowned for physical tactics and this had Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley picking up their fourth yellow cards of the season during Sunderland's win over Arsenal last weekend, the next yellow card either player picks up will eventuate in an automatic one match ban for the next game ahead.

Those two players should tread carefully as should also Michael Turner, who will also be available for selection against Wigan after he served a one match ban for picking up five yellow cards previously, and I have no doubt the referee will need to keep a close eye on them.

Wigan will be up for this and will be a handful, but Bruce will be keen to make an impact. I'll go for a 'Home WIN'

My Verdict 3-2 Latics.

Latics may start with Kirkland, Figueroa, Scharner, Bramble, Melchiot, Rodallega, Gomez, Diame, Thomas, N'Zogbia, Scotland.


By Phil Blinston

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