Everton v Latics Preview

The Latics head up the East Lancs Road to face Everton this afternoon hoping to put last weekends defeat to Manchester City firmly behind them.

Everton are notoriously slow starters and once again they've hardly hit the ground running, so Latics boss Roberto Martinez must have identified this game as one to get more points on the board. City inflicted the first league defeat in seven outings on Wigan last Saturday, but in all fairness most teams visiting Eastlands this season will face a bombardment so the players shouldn't have had their confidence dented too much.

Di Santo, Rodallega and Moses are looking quite threatening for the Latics and the midfield is starting to tick, a positive result today and we`re back on track

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

"I think Everton are a real example of how to be competitive on the pitch whatever happens off it.

"Anything that happens at board level, with certain players or fans, can have an affect on the football pitch.

"Players are human beings and you get affected psychologically by the events that are going on around you.

"But if I could highlight an example of how not to be affected by that on the pitch, it is Everton.

"We are going to have to be at our best, otherwise you are going to be hurt.

"At Goodison Park Everton really test you, put you against the wall and make you defend well.

"It is not just their football ability, you need to overcome the mentality they have got."

"We have got three games before the next international break, playing three teams with real strong tradition - Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa."

"The first game is the one we are really focused on and we are desperate to get back to that solid mentality we showed in the first three games of the season."

Victor Anichebe definitely out with a groin injury.

Vital Everton's possible starting XI: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Hibbert, Bilyaletdinov, Rodwell, Fellaini, Coleman, Osman, Cahill

The Aussie international has a knack of causing us lots of problems

Defenders Antolin Alcaraz and Steve Gohouri still missing, Emmerson Boyce rated 50/50

Latics possible: Al-Habsi, Boyce, Lopez, Caldwell, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, McCarthy, Moses, Rodallega, Di Santo

Franco has started the season playing really well, heres hoping that continues

Franco on song

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Why not take a quick look at our excellent Wigan to Everton Connections article, well worth a read

Latics and Everton have met on 12 previous occasions, Latics have 2 wins, Everton 6, draws 4

Last six meetings:

30/04/11 - Premier League - Wigan 1 Everton 1
11/12/10 - Premier League - Everton 0 Wigan 0
30/01/10 - Premier League - Wigan 0 Everton 1
30/08/09 - Premier League - Everton 2 Wigan 1
05/04/09 - Premier League - Everton 4 Wigan 0
24/11/08 - Premier League - Wigan 1 Everton 0

Peter Walton (Northants)

Why not take a quick look at our 'Meet The Ref' article

Peter Walton Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 3, yellows - 19, reds - 1

Head says 1-1

Heart says 2-1 Latics win, as always going with the heart

Premier League

Latics v Spurs
DW Stadium
Saturday
24/09/11
3pm

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