Spurs v Latics Preview

Wigan Athletic travel to White Hart Lane this afternoon to face a Spurs side that is in fine form at the moment following a midweek trouncing of Young Boys in their Champions League qualifier whilst the Latics were in the North East beating Hartlepool 3-0.

But it`s the previous two league games that have Latics fans worried, 10 goals conceded, none scored and no points, a trend that needs to be stopped immediately and what better place to come to achieve that than the scene of last seasons most gruesome massacre.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez will no doubt be instilling into his team the need to be vigilant, especially down our left, the last time of calling Aaron Lennon ran amuck and destroyed us on his own down the side of the pitch which was usually the Latics most solid, no repeat today please.

Latics are a team without confidence, they play fine until the opposition score and then they crumble, against Blackpool in the first game that was the 6th minute, Chelsea last week the 37th minute, from now on surely we need to build from a solid back line in order to give the team something to cling to, this can be done whilst still keeping to the managers footballing philosophy, just be a little tighter at the back.

A draw today would be a fantastic result and put some of that missing confidence back in the squad, something to build on for the rest of the season, here`s hoping

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'There's always a great mood about the club after the first win of the season'

'It breathes confidence around the place and helps the players during their work through the week.

'Everyone is trying to get that opportunity to show what they can do and after the results we've had there are many places up for grabs in the team at the moment.

'It's important that the entire squad is ready and focused for what will be a like a cup-final for us going in search of our first league win of the season.'


Spurs boss Harry Redknapp

'Wigan will be a real toughie'

'On the back of their first two results it's not a game I would have chosen.'

'It's so difficult when you have those bad defeats. They defended badly and I am sure they will be aware of that. Confidence is fragile and you just have to keep them believing. You know that one result can turn it for you.

'They had a result in midweek in the League Cup and he will want to build on that. But it's hard for clubs like Wigan. They lost a few players in the summer, now N'Zogbia wants to go, it ain't easy.'

Heurelho Gomes is out after injuring his groin in midweek, Modric is definitely missing and Defoe is doubtful, Jamie O'Hara, Jonathan Woodgate and David Bentley are all long term absentees

Spurs from:

Cudicini, King, Hutton, Bale, Kaboul, Naughton, Bassong, Dawson, Corluka, Jenas, Assou-Ekotto, Walker, Huddlestone, Rose, Lennon, Palacios, Kranjcar, Dos Santos, Crouch, Defoe, Keane, Pavyluchenko.

The 'lanky' one gtabbed a hat-trick in mid week and he looks to be in goal scoring form at the moment

Gary Caldwell and Victor Moses are definitely out and Steve Gohouri is doubtful

Charles N'Zogbia may not be considered after his transfer negotiations broke down yesterday, the biggest question though is who will start in goals, out of sorts Chris Kirkland or Ali Al-Habsi.

Latics from:

Kirkland, Al-Habsi, Gohouri, Stam, Boyce, Alcaraz, Diame, McArthur, Figueroa, McCarthy, Watson, Thomas, Rodallega, Boselli, Gomez, Golobart, S Caldwell, N'Zogbia

Will our Argentine hot shot get a chance this week to get off the mark?

Latics and Spurs have faced each other on 11 previous occasions, Latics have 1 win, Spurs 6, draws 4.

Last Six Meetings

21/02/2010 - Premier League - Latics - Spurs 3
22/11/2009 - Premier League - Spurs 9 Latics 1
11/01/2009 - Premier League - Latics 1 Spurs 0
02/01/2009 - FA Cup - Spurs 3 Latics 1
21/09/2008 - Premier League - Spurs 0 Latics 0
19/04/2008 - Premier League - Latics 1 Spurs 1

Phil Dowd (Staffs)

Check out our excellent `Meet the Ref` article

Head says 3-0 Spurs win

Heart says 1-0 Latics win

I'm going with my heart

Premier League
Latics v Sunderland
Saturday 11/09/10
3 pm

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco