Wigan Athletic - 12th Man - 05/04/12

This weeks Wigan Evening Post 12th Man page has three contributions from Vital Latics:

Looking Promising

Two wins on the bounce and the first home win since August, things are starting to look promising, of course we aren't out of the woods yet and with three very tough games ahead it will be a nervy run-in, but the positive feelings around the DW Stadium at 4:45 on Saturday will certainly be a platform to build upon.

The Latics once again totally dominated a game, to say we were head and shoulders above Stoke is an understatement, front to back we were commanding and never looked in danger of losing the match. The team played with composure, kept possession well and had a real drive going forward. Shaun Maloney is instrumental to all our attacking moves, his introduction to the team has given the rest a real boost, he is our very own Xavi with his link play over the past four games being outstanding. Gary Caldwell though is playing a real skippers role, he has stepped up his game no end and his team mates are following his example.

With just one defeat in the last eight games, the Latics are coming into form at just the right time, the end of season run-in is as much about holding your nerve above those around you, with the confidence levels in the squad at a season high, composure on the pitch there for all to see, is it any wonder that from a seemingly desperate position just a few weeks ago there is now genuine belief that once again we can get out of the relegation places and finish the season on a real high. Commentator Stuart Hall beautifully summed up the feelings of the Latics faithful at the end of his match summary for BBC radio on Saturday when he said - 'now, we believe'.

So to Chelsea, traditionally a team that the Latics do alright against, but the blues from West London are fighting for a top four finish and this will be anything but a comfortable afternoon. Having said that, with our current form I believe we can go to the Bridge and get some sort of result, even a point would be brilliant, we've just got to keep our faith and belief.

Barry Worhington


Victor Seals A Deserved Win

Back to back victories, a home win, another three points and suddenly there is more positivity than you can shake a stick at. It is heartening to think back to the game and see the highlights, and know that Stokes opportunities were few and far between. We controlled the game, managed to take a couple of chances, and victor Moses meant my heart even had a couple of minutes respite at the end.

Things are looking up, and the team are moving themselves into position to remain in the premier league. Suddenly it's not just the diehard supporters of Roberto that think we look capable of pulling out of the drop zone. The prodigal dissenters are returning in their droves. We really are timing the improvement to perfection, because carry on like this and we can be safe before the last day.

As I suggested last week though, the fixtures are lining up nicely for us, there is no room for anybody to become even a little bit complacent when your next trip is to Stamford Bridge, to play one of the Champions league quarter finalists. This challenge is exactly what we need to keep performance levels at a maximum.

They say you can't please all of the people all of the time, you can please some of the people some of the time, but an idiot is never happy. The idiots took the gloss off what was an otherwise fantastic day at the DW on Saturday. It is completely disheartening to hear supporters greet one of our own players with derision. I'm not sure how this helps and I can only conclude they are idiots. Especially when our supporters getting behind our team is one of the things the manager credits with helping our team turn things around. Thankfully we had enough sane people to drown out the noise they made with positive noise.

I have also heard rumours of a campaign to wear blue shirts for the visit of Manchester United to help impose our identity on the day. This sounds like a fantastic idea, and one I'm sure will catch on, and that I am certainly going to follow.

Paul Thorp


Let's Make Some Noise

Wigan Athletics fans are really making a difference at the moment as once again the 'Meet and Greet' for the Stoke game was another major success.

Following on from the success of the West Brom game it was repeated last weekend. Around 100 attended the first one but for Stoke it was more like 500. The manager and the players have all commented on how it has given them a lift, and the performances back that up.

Fans are asked to give an even bigger welcome for the mid-week game against Manchester United next Wednesday, by getting down to the car park at the East Stand for 5:30pm just as the players arrive.

I am backing the campaign of asking all fans whether attending the Meet and Greet or just going to the game to wear blue. It doesn't matter if it's a Latics shirt, a blue pullover, jacket or whatever. We want to make the whole stadium a sea of blue, similar to when we first entered the Premier League and everyone was excited and up for the challenge.

We must keep the momentum going now and ensure that by the end of the season we are still a Premier League Club for an eighth time.

Get behind the lads, wear BLUE and make some noise.

Dave Jones

















Latics and Proud



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