Blackpool Vs Latics Preview

Latics go in to tonights Carling Cup tie against Blackpool looking to get the 5-0 drubbing by Manchester United out of their system.

The game provides a nice early season distraction and it also gives Latics boss Roberto Martinez an opportunity to look at some of his fringe players in a competitive game.

Cho Won-Hee, James McCarthy, Scott Sinclair, Marlon King, Jason Scotland, Emerson Boyce, Erik Edman and Mike Pollitt are all expected to start and there could even be a place for Antonio Amaya who joined last week from Rayo Vallecano in the same deal that brought in Momo Diame.

The Carling Cup is realistically Latics best chance of some silverware and having been finalists in 2006 it would be nice to have a real go this season, but first we need to get past a very good and strong looking Blackpool side.

Ian Holloway has come in and started to shape the Seasiders in his own fashion and a tough encounter is expected tonight, but even with the changes if the Latics play to their full potential then we should prove too strong for our opponents

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'Some of the players who worked hard in pre-season have been disappointed they have not had a chance but this is an opportunity for them to show they can win football games'

'Every game is vital so we go in trying to win it but it always helps you to have all the squad ready.

'It is going to be a big challenge. I know Ian Holloway has changed Blackpool a lot.

'They are playing very different to the way they were playing last season and have been impressive.

'You can see they have been trying different things and have been hard to beat and probably they deserved a few more wins out of the games they have played.'

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway

'Tonight's game will be a great opportunity for the lads that I've picked to go out and test themselves and show me what they can do'

'I want to see how good they are against Wigan and although we are taking on a very good Premier League team, my lads need to show me what they are all about.

Joe Martin, Daniel Nardiello, Danny Coid, Steve McPhee and Arsenal loanee Jay Emmanuel Thomas are all missing

Former Latics man and likely to lead the Blackpool line tonight

Olivier Kapo is definitely out, whilst Charles N'Zogbia, Jordi Gomez and Chris Kirkland have knocks and Hendry Thomas, Maynor Figueroa, Hugo Rodallega and Momo Diame are all likely to be rested

Latics from:

Kirkland, Melchiot, Figueroa, Edman, Boyce, Bramble, Thomas, Scharner, Diame, Brown, N'Zogbia, Koumas, Watson, Cho, Gomez, Sinclair, Scotland, King, McCarthy, Rodallega, Pollitt,

Strong rumours that Marlon King is set to make his first start of the season and he should be out to impress

Latics and Blackpool have met 33 times previously

Latics 14 wins, Blackpool 10, Draws 9.

Last game at Blackpool

Blackpool 0-2 Latics
Saturday 9/11/02
Dinning 12 & Flynn 86 mns

Michael Oliver (Morpeth)

Heart says comfortable 2-0 Latics win

Head says much closer 1-0 Latics win

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