West Brom v Latics Preview

Wigan Athletic travel the 100 miles or so down the M6 today to face a West Brom side that are as goal shy as they are. The leagues two poorest scorers, what`s the betting on a goalfest?

This game is sandwiched between some very difficult matches for the Latics and they really do need to get something from the visit to the Hawthorns, last week against Arsenal was very disappointing and the team just capitulated after 15 minutes, expect changes to the starting eleven today.

West Brom will see this as a winnable game and they will be difficult on their own patch, but if we are to pull off an escape from the drop zone then we really do need something today

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'We need to start picking up points because we are catching up, so we cannot afford to go into any game thinking that a draw will be good enough.'

'We know that West Brom are going to be a difficult side because they work really, really hard.

'It will be an exciting game because they can control possession well and we love to control possession so you should see an entertaining game of football.

'It is going to be one of those games that both sides set up really well to win'

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson:

'Wigan are a footballing team that try to play football at all times'

'They have good movement and good interchange of positions in midfield.

'They have a lot of offensive-minded players and in the games I've seen them play, in particular, the two lives games I've seen them play, they have created goal chances despite not getting results.'

Zoltan Gera is out for the season otherwise its a full squad:

West Brom from: Foster, Olsson, Reid, Shorey, McAuley, Morrison, Brunt, Thomas, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Long, Fulop, Dawson, Jones, Tchoyi, Scharner, Odemwingie, Cox.

The former Reading player has settled into life with the Baggies following his summer move, he has scored five of the thirteen league goals West Brom have managed so far this season

Antolin Alcaraz returns from his suspension and Emmerson Boyce is back in full training

Latics from: Al-Habsi, Stam, Figueroa, Gohouri, Caldwell, Diame, McArthur, Jones, McCarthy, Gomez, Crusat, Moses, Sammon, Di Santo, Pollitt, Lopez, Watson, Rodallega, Alcaraz, Boyce.

The flying Dutchman has been very good in his last two games, Stam gives the Latics a counter-attacking option and he puts some great balls into teh box

Flying Stam

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and West Brom have met 16 times previously

Latics 6 wins, West Brom 6, draws 4

Mike Dean (Wirral)

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

Mike Dean Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 14, yellows - 50, reds - 1

Head says 1-1 draw

Heart says sneaky 1-2 Latics away win, as always, go with the heart

Premier League

Latics v Chelsea
DW Stadium
Saturday
17/12/11
5:30pm

Latics v Liverpool
DW Stadium
Wednesday
21/12/11
8pm

















Latics and Proud



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