Latics Vs Fulham Preview

Latics face Roy Hodgsons Fulham this afternoon looking to get back to winning ways following two defeats and two draws

Latics welcome new signing Charles N`Zogbia who should get his debut on the left side of midfield

Fulham aren`t the best travellers in the Premier League and this fixture, on paper at least, gives the Latics the chance to cement 8th spot

Latics boss Steve Bruce

'Our home record has been terrific after a sticky start but thankfully in our last seven games we haven't been beaten.

'That has been paramount for us and that is why we are in the situation we are in.

'We have hung on in there and I hope we can continue, starting with Fulham, but this is arguably the most important game.

'There is now a little expectation as people look at Wigan and realise we are a decent outfit.'

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson

'We had a very important win against Portsmouth in our last match.

'In this league every victory is so hard to come by and when you are a club like ours it seems that you play 38 cup finals. So every win is like getting a trophy.

'Coming on the back of the defeats at West Ham and the rather unfortunate loss at Sunderland it was good to get back to winning ways and we now want to build on that.

'Once you get those three points your position in the league all of a sudden looks that much more secure.'

Antonio Valencia and Amr Zaki are back after injury whilst Ryan Taylor has moved to pastures new

Latics from:

Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Cattermole, N'Zogbia, Valencia, Kapo, De Ridder, Zaki, Mido, Kingson, Pollitt, Edman, Brown, Boyce, Rodallega

Set to make his debut after becoming the Latics record transfer buy

Chris Baird is out with a virus, new signings Olivier Dacourt and Giles Barnes are in line for a debut

Fulham from:

Schwarzer, Konchesky, Pantsil, Hangeland, Johnson, Zamora, Nevland, Gera, Murphy, Kamara, Gray, Hughes, Zuberbuhler, Etuhu, Stoor, Dempsey, Davies, Milsom, Brown, Kallio, Barnes, Dacourt.

Pacey, direct and a menace to the Latics defence on previous occasions

This Seasons Reverse

Fulham 2-0 Latics
29th October 2008
Andy Johnson 11, 60

All pevious games

Latics 8 wins, Fulham 13, Draws 10

Lee Probert(Gloucestershire)

Card Watch

Games - 5

Yellows - 10

Reds - 0

Heart says 2-0 Latics win

Head says 2-1 Latics win

Premier League
Boro Vs Latics
Saturday 21/02/09
3pm

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