Latics v Blackburn Preview

The Latics entertain fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers this afternoon in what can only be described as the biggest game of the season so far for both clubs

Off the back of nine Premier League defeats you somehow feel that this is last chance saloon for the Latics, a run of very tough fixtures awaits in December, points are a must from this game.

Last time out a host of chances were missed and poor defending allowed fellow strugglers Wolves a comfortable win, today against Blackburn with under fire boss Steve Kean in charge this simply cannot be allowed to happen

Latics boss Roberto Martinez

'Morale is good because I would say we have been in this situation time after time.

'We have got the right characters in the dressing room and we know how to face adversity.

'These are situations we want to get out of. Not because of the run of defeats, that is just a stat. It is just the lack of points.

'That is something we never expected, especially if you look at the level of our performances.

'We can change it around quickly and we have got the right personalities and talent in the dressing room to get the points we need and achieve our aim.'

Blackburn boss Steve Kean:

'There's a group of games that we feel before we get to the half way point in the season that there are lots of points that we can get on the board.

'It isn't only the Wigan match, but we are entering a phase of games where we feel we can pick up points.

'Let's go and get a victory and get on an unbeaten run starting this weekend.'

Gary Caldwell returns from suspension but Antolin Alcaraz starts a three match ban

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

Playing against a former club is always a good time to hit the back of the net.


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Vukcevic and Lowe are out, Samba is 50/50, Dann and Salgado are both fit

Blackburn from:Robinson, Samba, Givet, Olsson, N'Zonzi, Hoilett, Gamst, Rochina, Formica, Yakubu, Salgado, Dann, Dunn, Nelsen

Highly rated youngster

Latics and Rovers have met 16 times

Latics 3 wins, Rovers 11, draws 2

Andre Marriner (Birmingham)

Take a look at our excellent Meet The Ref article

Andre Marriner Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 7, yellows - 26, reds - 0

Head says 1-1 draw

Heart says 2-0 Latics win, as always the heart rules the head

Premier League

Sunderland v Latics
Stadium of Light
Saturday
26/11/11
3pm

Latics v Arsenal
DW Stadium
Saturday
3/12/11
3pm

















Latics and Proud



Fancy writing an article about the Latics? Why not get in touch, we are always looking for new contributors, after all we are all Latics fans here and want to get the Latics message to the world, so if you have a favourite match or Latics memory get it jotted down, or whatever you want to say put it into an email and send it to us here at Vital Wigan

To get your article published just click here and we will put it onto the site

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain