Hull v Latics Preview

Latics travel to Hull this afternoon for the third round of the FA Cup with boss Roberto Martinez looking to make sweeping changes to save players for the bread and butter of the league.

The romance of the cup appears to be dead and a very sad fact that is, I remember a time when clubs got fined for resting players in league games ahead of cup matches, oh for a return to times of innocence when prestige rather that hard cash were the driving factors behind football.

Back to the now and one or two Latics youngsters may be able to make a claim for the first team if they step up to the mark today, Martinez has been speaking about how James McCarthy grabbed the opportunity last season in the cup games and he expects someone to put their self forward after today.

Hull are looking for progress in the Cup, it brings a financial reward that they will be grateful of since their relegation from the top flight last season, manager Nigel Pearson has promised a full strength side and that`ll mean old boy Jimmy Bullard making just his second appearances against the Latics since his departure in 2006.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'You can probably remember last year was the moment James McCarthy was born for us.

'He worked really hard behind the scenes and got the opportunity in the FA Cup.

'He never looked back after that. He showed he was ready and desperate to enjoy his football.

'Since then he has been one of the best young players in the Barclays Premier League.

'The FA Cup is really exciting, it is the best cup competition in world football. There is a special feeling about it.

'We are all excited about the game, to see if any other players can be born.'

Paul McShane is an injury doubt but midfielder Robert Koren is fit again.

Aaron Mclean and James Chester are cup-tied, while Aston Villa are unlikely to let City field loan keeper Brad Guzan

Hull from:

Matt Duke, Nolberto Solano, Kamil Zayatte, Anthony Gerrard, Andy Dawson; James Harper, Ian Ashbee, Jimmy Bullard, Cameron Stewart, Aaron McLean, Jay Simpson, Mark Oxley, Liam Cooper, Jamie Devitt, Nick Barmby, Mark Cullen, Matty Fryatt, Robert Koren.

Who else would it be from a Latics point of view

Martinez is likely to make sweeping changes but Moses, McCarthy, Boyce, Di Santo, Kirkland and Cleverley are all injured, N'Zogbia suspended.

Latics possible:

Al-Habsi, Mustoe, S. Caldwell, Lopez, Figueroa, Gomez, Watson, McManaman, de Ridder, McArthur, Boselli

If Lopez is given his debut it will be interesting to see how he performs.


Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

The Latics have met Hull on 20 previous occassions.

Latics 8 wins, Hull 5, draws 7.


Last Six Meetings

03/05/2010 - Premier League - Latics 2 Hull City 2
02/10/2010 - FA Cup - Latics 4 Hull City 1
03/10/2009 - Premier League - Hull City 2 Latics 1
22/03/2009 - Premier League - Latics 1 Hull City 0
30/08/2008 - Premier League - Hull City 0 Latics 5
28/08/2007 - League Cup - Latics - Hull City 1

Mark Clattenburg (Consett)

Head says 1-1

Heart says 2-0 Latics win

Premier League

Latics v Fulham
DW Stadium
Saturday
15/01/11
3pm

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