Latics v West Ham Preview

Wigan Athletic face West Ham today and the game can only produce one result, 3 points for the Latics, its got to happen, no ifs, buts or maybes, this is the most must win game that we have been involved in since Sheffield United away in May 2007.

With the Hammers fate virtually sealed by yesterdays results its all on the Latics to pull themselves to safety, two wins in the final two games would all but guarantee another season of Premier League football, so we know what is required.

Not a lot to say really, the Latics have been in good form of late, but drawing too many games has left us in trouble, now we need the wins. Lets start today.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'Six points is the target over the next two weeks and we must keep our concentration to make that happen.

'If we're as good as we can be and produce a similar performance to what we've become used to lately home and away we'll be able to compete against anyone.

'First though we must focus on West Ham this weekend.

'They are a better side than their position suggests with the experience and talent in their squad to beat anyone on their day.

'It's fair to say that with our goal-difference we can't afford to leave matters in other people's hands, we must control our own destiny.

'I feel that collecting six points in these games to take us to 42 would give us a great tally and should be enough to secure another successful campaign in the top-flight.'



By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic


West Ham boss Avram Grant


'I hope I never have to experience this again [fighting relegation].'

'Let's do our job. We need to do our job because everybody thinks about the other results.

'We play against a team [for] which [this game] is very, very important for them and they are good. So we need first to do our job in their home - we didn't do it yet - and [then] let's think about the other results.'

Momo Diame is fighting to be fit, overwise it's a full squad to choose from.

Latics probable:

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

Massive player for us and he is bang in form


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Dyer, Kurucz, Noble, O'Neil and Stanislas are all out Parker and Upson remain doubtful.

West Ham from:

Green, Jacobsen, Piquionne, da Costa, Gabbidon, Bridge, Spector, Hitzlsperger, Boa Morte, Keane, Sears, Collison, Cole, Ba, Boffin, Tomkins, Kovac, Hines, Parker, Upson.

Quality player with a thunderous left foot

Latics and West Ham have met 17 times.

Latics 5 wins, West Ham 10, draws 7

Last Six Meetings

27/11/10 - Premier League - West Ham 3 Wigan 1
24/04/10 - Premier League - West Ham 3 Wigan 2
12/09/09 - Premier League - Wigan 1 West Ham 0
04/03/09 - Premier League - Wigan 0 West Ham 1
16/98/08 - Premier League - West Ham 2 Wigan 1
02/02/08 - Premier League - Wigan 1 West Ham 0

Mike Dean (Wirral)

Why not take a look at our excellent 'Meet the Ref' article

Mike Dean 2010/11 Card Watch:

Games - 41, yellows - 142, reds - 7

Heart and head say the same thing this week, 2-0 Latics win, just has to be.

Premier League

Stoke City v Latics
Britannia Stadium
Sunday
22/05/11
4pm





Ali Al-Habsi wins the Vital Wigan Player of the Season Award

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