Bolton v Latics Preview

Todays game promises to be a memorable occasion for both the football and also the showing of public support for little Emma Hoolin as the fans walk from the DW Stadium to the Reebok prior to the game

The Latics face their local rivals knowing that they need a win, anything less and although it wont be curtains it will certainly be close to being so

Momo Diame should return to the Latics midfield for what will be a tough encounter against Bolton who are also scrapping for their Premier League lives

Latics boss Roberto Martinez

'Everyone needs to chip in as much as possible to help Wigan Athletic, so it's great to see a fully fit squad once again at a crucial time.

'We feel that we're more than capable of getting out of the situation we're in and going on a run just like the final third of last season.

'We found a very competitive level on that occasion and I believe we're showing the signs of that once again; our players are ready to have a strong end to the campaign.

'It's a must-win game where a performance has to be guaranteed from the players and they're prepared to do just that.'

Bolton boss Owen Coyle

'From my end, I can only look at Bolton Wanderers and look to make sure we do that, but I'm pretty sure Steve Kean (Blackburn) and Roberto Martinez (Wigan) feel the same, as well as Mick McCarthy (Wolves), Mark Hughes (QPR) and Roy Hodgson (West Brom).

'It is so intriguing and that is why we love the league - it is the best league in the world.

'We will all have our own beliefs about how we will go about it with the players we have.

'But from our end, I am totally convinced that we will be out of the bottom three come the end of the season.'

Alonso still out

Bolton from: Bogdan, Mears, Knight, Wheater, Ricketts, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Eagles, Tuncay, Davies, Muamba, Davies, Ngog, Sordell, Boyata, Pratley, Klasnic, Jaaskelainen, Ream, Miyaichi, Steinsson, Riley

Knows where the goal is

Latics at full strength, Diame and Alcaraz expected to return

Latics possible Al-Habsi, Caldwell, Stam, Boyce, Figueroa, Beausejour, Moses, Gomez, Diame, McCarthy, Di Santo

Two decent games from the new boy so far


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and Bolton have met 36 times

Latics 13 wins, Bolton 13, draws 10

Last six meetings:

15/10/11 - Premier League - Latics 1 Bolton 3
16/02/2011 - FA Cup - Latics 0 Bolton 1
29/01/2011 - FA Cup - Bolton 0 Latics 0
05/01/2011 - Premier League - Bolton 1 Latics 1
23/10/2011 - Premier League - Latics 1 Bolton 1
13/03/2010 - Premier League - Bolton 4 Latics 0

Howard Webb (Rotherham)

Why not take a look at our Meet The Ref article

Howard Webb Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 30, yellows - 102, reds - 5

Head says 1-1,

Heart says 1-2 Latics win, gotta go with the heart

Premier League

Latics v Aston Villa
DW Stadium
Saturday
25/02/12
3pm

Have you registered for the walk4emma event in support of the Emma Hoolin Appeal. If you are going to the game why not join us on the walk and help raise awareness and funds for such a worthwhile cause.

Register for the walk at walk4emma@hotmail.co.uk

If you can't make the walk but still wish to make a donation to such a worthwhile cause please follow this link www.justgiving.com/walk4emma

















Latics and Proud



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