City v Latics Preview

Roberto Martinez takes his Latics side 17 miles up the East Lancs Road to face high flying Manchester City knowing that only a win would lift his team off the foot of the table.

The big talking point this week though is the appointment of Stuart Attwell as match referee, considering Latics suffered last week with a refereeing non-decision it was a surprise to see the Warwickshire official given the game especially with his performance in the corresponding fixture last season (see 'Meet the Ref' article).

City are chasing points for a totally different reason than the Latics and it should make for an interesting clash

Latics boss Roberto Martinez

'Manchester City are in a great moment of form.

'This season they've got into the habit of winning games comfortably on a regular basis, and that is the sign of a mature side with excellent individuals.

'They have had to play a lot of games in a short space of time but it hasn't affected them, they've retained a composed tempo and have three or four world-class players.

'City are a team who play very good football, have great strength at the back, but will also allow you to play football and have a say on the game.

'That's where we have to be very cute, have the understanding of what to do in certain situations and make sure we stop their attack.

'You're looking at players like Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Edwin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli who are all match-winners able to score goals from any opportunity.

'The swagger and confidence they have right now allows these players to score goals and shape games, and it goes without saying we'll have to be at our best.

'As always we need to be ourselves, try to replicate what we did at Anfield a few weeks back and make sure we're ready to give everything we have to win the game.'

City boss Roberto Mancini

'We should be realistic. If we won 10 games I don't think we can win the title. We need to get fourth position. We have been between first and fourth for 28 games. Now is the time for key games.'

'I think Roberto Martinez is a good manager and his team play very well. Every time we play them we have difficulties. That's why it's important to have three or fresh players, but we should win.'

Kolo Toure is suspended by his club following revelations that he was tested positive for a banned substance. Adam Johnson and Shay Given are both injured

City from:

Hart; Boateng, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, Toure Yaya, Barry, Zabaleta, Tevez, Balotelli, Dzeko, Vieira, Taylor, Wright-Phillips, Jo, Wabara, Guidetti.

City's main man and a danger to any team he plays against

Emmerson Boyce is the only injury worry.

Latics possible:

Al-Habsi, Gohouri, Alcaraz, G. Caldwell, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, McCarthy, Cleverley, N'Zogbia, Rodallega

If, as expected, Cleverley comes in for Moses then watch the United loanee have a big impact on the game.


Courtesy of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and City have met on 20 previous occassions

Latics 6 wins, City 9, draws 5

Last Six Meetings

19/09/2010 - Premier League - Latics 0 Man City 2
29/03/2010 - Premier League - Man City 2 Latics 0
18/10/2009 - Premier League - Latics 1 Man City 1
17/01/2009 - Premier League - Man City 1 Latics 0
28/09/2008 - Premier League - Latics 2 Man City 1
01/03/2008 - Premier League - Man City 0 Latics 0

Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Why not take a look at our informative 'Meet the Ref' article, this week it is a particularly interesting read

Stuart Attwell Card Watch 2010/11

Games - 26, yellows - 95, reds - 4

Heart says 1-1

Head says City win, going with my heart because that is where the Latics are

Premier League

Latics v Birmingham
DW Stadium
Saturday
19/03/2011
3pm

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