Spurs v Latics Preview

The Latics travel to White Hart Lane this afternoon hoping to build on last week's performance and result against West Ham. Martinez had his team in fine form as the Latics tore into the Hammers, but Spurs are a different proposition altogether

Pushing for a Champions League spot will be the North Londoners aim and they have the quality in their team to push for that goal, on our day though we are a match for anyone and if last weekend's performance can be replicated today then we could get ourselves a positive result

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'Spurs will be fighting this season for one of those Champions League qualification spots which highlights the strength and size of the team we face this weekend.

'There are lessons to take from our last two away games against Sunderland and Swansea City, aspects of our game that need to improve if we are to get a positive result on the road.

'Now is the time to bring consistency in performances and results which is where our focus is right now.'

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas

'They are a team who are extremely well organised, they certainly play in a different style than the general pattern of the Premier League'

'Sometimes they don't achieve the results at the beginning of the season, but when they step up a gear they can put you in a difficult situation.

'It's not going to be an easy game. We're aware of what they can do, and the way that they turned events around for themselves last season is the best example you can give to our players to illustrate that.'

Mousa Dembele, Scott Parker, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul are all out

Spurs possible - Lloris, Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen, Sandro, Sigurdsson, Lennon, Dempsey, Bale, Defoe

Quality player, it will be interesting to see how we cope with his surging runs today

Antolin Acaraz, Albert Crusat and Ryo Miyaichi are still out but James McArthur returns following suspension

Latics probable - Al Habsi, Ramis, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, Beausejour, McArthur, McCarthy, Maloney, Di Santo, Kone

Kone has been on top of his game recently, another big performance today would give us half a chance

Latics and Spurs have met 16 times

Latics 2 wins, Spurs 8, draws 6

Last Six Meetings

31/01/11 - Premier League - Spurs 3 Latics 1
24/09/11 - Premier League - Latics 1 Spurs 2
02/04/11 - Premier League - Latics 0 Spurs 0
28/08/11 - Premier League - Spurs 0 Latics 1
21/02/10 - Premier League - Wigan 0 Spurs 3
22/11/09 - Premier League - Spurs 9 Latics 1

Martin Atkinson (Bradford)

Take a look at our 'Meet The Ref' article

Martin Atkinson Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 11, yellows - 45, reds - 1

Head says Spurs to win 2-0

Heart says 1-1 draw, as always going with the heart

Premier League
Latics v West Brom
DW Stadium
Saturday
10/11/12
3pm

Liverpool v Latics
Anfield
Saturday
17/11/12
3pm


The latest PWU Podcast is now available, this week's was recorded live on location at the DW Stadium on Tuesday night before, during and after the Capital One Cup tie against Bradford City.

The mood amongst the lads goes from certainty, to one of optimism and then despair as the Latics are knocked out on penalties.

The West Ham game from last weekend is reviewed for the first three minutes, then it's on to the cup tie, as the game unfolds the frustration and disappointment is there for all to witness, the Spurs preview comes in on 16 minutes

The podcast is available for download from iTunes, our hosting site www.buzzsprout.com or you can click play on the player below to listen from here

As always feedback is welcome, plus if you want to get involved in the podcast please contact us here at Vital Latics wigan@vitalfootball.co.uk , mark your email Podcast

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