Latics v Wolves Preview

Latics entertain Wolves in this afternoons early kick off with Roberto`s men looking to get their first Premier League home win of the season following three defeats and a draw at the DW Stadium.

Charles N`Zogbia is now firmly back in the starting eleven and looking to carry on his impressive form from last season, a good game today will go a long way to showing the home fans that he is happy, for the time being at least, playing for the Latics.

Goals or lack of them, are the main concern for Martinez and his side need to start scoring soon, two league goals from six games is surely a cause for concern and an emphasis on finding the back of the net is a priority.

By contrast Mick McCarthy`s team have scored in every game so far this season but have only one win when they beat Stoke on the opening day, their problem appears to be at the other end.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'I've been very impressed with Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, and the results don't reflect the work that they've done'

'They've got a tremendous team ethic, they work really hard, and then they've got real talent up front, and they can be very energetic and do the transition between defending and attacking very quickly and hurt you.

'For us, it's now just making sure that we can help ourselves, control the game, and give the level of performance that we know we are capable of.'


Wolves boss Mick McCarthy:


'I watched Wigan at Birmingham on Saturday and they are a different team to last year, away from home they were a bit more solid and workmanlike and not playing as much expansive football
.

'But they can still play football but I just think that they've got a tougher side to them and a more steely edge.

'Wigan are a good team with good players but I don't think there are any bad teams in the league to be honest.'

Franco Di Santo and Tom Cleverley could both be avaialble but Gary Caldwell is still a couple of weeks away.

Latics possible:

Al-Habsi, Boyce, Gohouri, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Stam, Thomas, Diame, McCarthy, N'Zogbia, Rodallega

N'Zogbia is getting his season going after 'being poorly advised' about joining Birmingham

Guedioura, Hunt, Zubar are all out but Jelle van Damme is available.

Wolves from:

Hahnemann, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Craddock, Henry, Edwards, Jarvis, Jones, Stephen Ward, Elokobi, Fletcher, Doyle, Bent, Ebanks-Blake, Hennessey, Milijas, Jelle van Damme

The former Reading man knows where the goals hard and he works hard running the front line

Latics and Wolves have met on 10 previous occassions.

Latics 3 wins, Wolves 4, draws 3

Last Six Meetings

16/01/10 - Premier League - Wolves 0 Latics 2
18/08/09 - Premier League - Latics 0 Wolves 1
04/01/05 - Championship - Latics 2 Wolves 0
11/09/04 - Championship - Wolves 3 Latics 3
11/12/99 - FA Cup - Latics 0 Wolves 1
16/05/89 - Division 3 (old) - Latics 1 Wolves 1

Lee Mason (Bolton)

Why not take a look at our excellent Meet The Ref article

Heart says 2-1 Latics win

Head says 1-1, as always I am going with my heart

Premier League

Newcastle United v Latics
St. James' Park
Saturday
16/10/10
3pm

Latics v Bolton Wanderers
DW Stadium
Saturday
23/10/10
3pm

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