Latics v Reading Preview

Reading are in town today as the Latics face something of an injury crisis, but Martinez usually plays his cards close to his chest regarding the condition of his players, so for me it's one of two things, it isn't as bad as he's letting on, or its much worse!

With two defeats in our last two games we need to get something from today, Reading though have just notched up their first win of the season and no doubt will be buzzing, plus with Jason Roberts in the side are we to be undone by the curse of the returning star for the third time this season following on from Baines and Rodallega?

With a fully fit squad I'd expect us to win comfortably, due to the importance of the game I expect us to get something from it, a draw wouldn't be too disappointing, but a win would really set us up nicely for the visit of City on Wednesday

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'It's easy to see the achievements of Brian McDermott during his time in charge of Reading, the change in fortunes of the club has been incredible.

'It's a club that brings great memories for me as they were the last time I played against in a Wigan Athletic shirt, and now I get to take charge as manager against a team who are perhaps in their best moment of the campaign after last weekend's victory over Everton.

'From our point of view we're trying to get everyone fit and healthy after the little knocks and niggles picked up against Everton, and ready for another big test at our DW Stadium.

'For the way they play and the quality they have their biggest strength is their confidence and the winning mentality they had last season in the Championship.

'Their work ethic is incredible and although last week was their first win of the campaign believe me when I say that they've come very close to three points long before that game.'


Reading boss Brian McDermott

'Not winning is a burden, of course it is - it'd be wrong of me to say it wasn't. We've got that lifted now, we got a clean sheet against Norwich - that's something to build on. It's got to buoy us it really has.

'By definition getting a win gives you a lift, but really the place didn't need lifting - everyone is in a really good place. We won a load of games at the back end of last season and the place was the same as it was last week. We're just going about our business, doing what we have to do and looking forward to our next game.'

Antolin Alcaraz and Albert Crusat have been joined on the 'long list' by Ben Watson. Gary Caldwell is rated as very doubtful with a hamstring injury, Stam could come in at RWB with Boyce dropping into the back three

Franco Di Santo and Ryo Miyaichi picked up knocks in training and both are rated 50/50

One piece of good news, James McArthur resumed training this week, but today could be one game too soon for him

Latics possible - Al Habsi, Boyce, Ramis, Figueroa, Stam, Beausejour, McCarthy, Jones, Maloney, Kone, Di Santo

With Caldwell likely to be out a big game will be needed from the big man


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Jimmy Kebe and Alex McCarthy likely to be back in contention, but Jem Karacan and Danny Guthrie are still missing

Reading from - Federici, Gunter, Shorey, Morrison, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, McAnuff, Le Fondre, Roberts, Taylor, Cummings, Mariappa, Harte, McCleary, Hunt, Pogrebnyak, Kebe, McCarthy

What a player and still doing the business

Latics and Reading have met 36 times


Played 36, won 13, lost 14, drawn 9.

In the Premier League the record is 1 win, 2 defeats, 1 draw, our last win coming on the 26th August 2006 by virtue of Emile Heskey's first goal for us in a 1-0 victory

Last Six Meetings

26 Apr 2008 - Premier League - Latics 0 Reading 0
22 Sep 2007 - Premier League - Reading 2 Latics 1
30 Jan 2007 - Premier League - Reading 3 Latics 2
26 Aug 2006 - Premier League - Latics 1 Reading 0
8 May 2005 - Championship - Latics 3 Reading 1
27 Nov 2004 - Championship - Reading 1 Latics 1

Howard Webb (Rotherham)

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

Howard Webb Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 11, yellows - 43, reds - 2

Head say's 1-1

Heart say's 2-0 Latics win, as always going with the heart

Premier League

Latics v Manchester City
DW Stadium
Wednesday
28/11/12
8pm

Newcastle United v Latics
St James' Park
Monday
03/12/12
8pm


Why not have a listen to our latest podcast in the build up to the game today

Barry, Dan, Paul and Gareth are chatting about the defeat at Anfield and where it all went wrong, plus we look ahead to this Saturday and the visit of Reading to the DW Stadium.

You can download the podcast from itunes, you can download from our hosting site www.buzzsprout.com , or simply click play on the embedded player below

As always feedback, both positive and negative is welcome and if you want to get involved in the recording of future episodes please contact us at wigan@vitalfootball.co.uk marking your email 'Podcast`

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