Latics Vs Spurs Preview

Latics go into the game against Spurs today hoping to set a new record of six consecutive clean sheets in league games at the JJB, this is where Bruces success has been built, rock solid at home.

With three of our last four games to be staged at what is becoming fortress JJB then it is understandable that confidence is high with regards to a good finish to the season.

Steve Bruce is confident that he can move the club up a level and since he came in we have produced form that suggests he would have had this current crop mid-table at least if he`d been here from the start.

In contrast Spurs have flattered to deceive all season, strongly tipped for a top four finish they have struggled to get out of the bottom half though success in the Carling Cup will mean another European adventure next season for Ramos` men.

Ties between the Latics and Spurs usually produce lots of goals, the fixture here last season saw the sides share six in a 3-3 draw and this seasons game at White Hart Lane saw four as Spurs ran out 4-0 winners

We are a different side to that defeat back in November and hopefully a bit of revenge and a win for the Latics will turn over the hoodoo that we have never beaten Spurs home or away, surely that needs to be changed

Latics boss Steve Bruce:

'After the Chelsea game Sir Alec phoned me and said he'd give me a kiss if I werent so ugly'

'A win today and we will be safe, it wont be easy, they are a good side, but so are we at home'

Spurs assistant boss Gus Poyet:

'It's not about quality, it's not about being good enough as a team or about the opposition, it's about being strong mentally.

'If anyone thinks it's going to be a nice game, stay in London.

'It won't be easy and they will fight to the end.'

Erik Edman is a long term absentee with knee ligament damage so wont face his former club, whilst Erik Hagen will be missing through illness, otherwise Steve Bruce has a full squad to pick from

Latics from:

Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Boyce, Kilbane, Brown, Palacios, Skoko, Taylor, Valencia, Heskey, Bent, Aghahowa, King, Sibierski, Koumas, Bramble, Figueroa, Olembe, Pollitt.

Always plays well at home and he is now in the spotlight since media reports of interesst from Manchester United, hopefully a big game from Wilson today

Pascal Chimbonda has a calf strain and misses out on a return to the JJB, Paul Robinson is struggling, you dont say, Gareth Bale, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Ledley King are out for the season.

Spurs from:

Cerny, Forecast, Hutton, Lee, Gilberto, Gunter, Kaboul, Dawson, Woodgate, Rocha, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas, Malbranque, Boateng, Taarabt, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Lennon, Berbatov, Keane, Bent

Always scores against us and he is a class player

Last seasons corresponding fixture:

Wigan Athletic 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Latics: Heskey 2, Baines 30, Kilbane 60
Spurs: Berbatov 4, Keane 35 pen, 68
Ref: Graham Poll
15th April 2007

This seasons reverse fixture:

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Wigan Athletic
Spurs: Jenas 13, 26, Lennon 34, Bent 72
Ref: Howard Webb
11th November 2007

Latics have never beaten Spurs, of five games, all in Premier League

Latics have drawn 2 Spurs have won 3

Lee Probert (Gloucestershire)

Card Watch

Games - 1

Yellows - 2

Reds - 0

Mr Probert appears a little inexperienced at this level

Heart says 4-3 Latics win

Head say 1-0 Latics

Latics Vs Reading
JJB Stadium
26/04/08
3 pm

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