Newcastle v Latics Preview

The Latics make their way up to the North East to face Newcastle at St James' Park with both teams hoping to find the winning touch.

Newcastle haven't won in seven and have lost their last four Premier League games, whilst the Latics have one win in four.

Both clubs are suffering from an extensive injury list with key players missing. Martinez will hope that at least one of Jones, Caldwell or McArthur will be fit enough to take their place in the starting line-up with the squad stretched to the limit, though last time out against Man City the make shift team did themselves proud with the performance if not the result

A win for either side will see them move on to 17 points and get some breathing space from the chasing pack

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'We need to be aware of Newcastle's quality

'It hasn't been an easy run for Newcastle in terms of results which makes it a very dangerous time to play them.

'We will give them and their team a lot of respect when we go to St James' Park, as you have to.'

'The game on Monday against Newcastle has an extra significance to us because we are disappointed about not picking up points against Man City in a game that we feel we did well in.

'It is a must win game from that point of view because our standards have been very good and when we are playing like this we need to also pick up points.

'We are anxious to get out onto the pitch again and try to pick up a positive result which we thought we should have got against Man City.

'From our point of view it is a very exciting game to be building up to and a very important one as well.'

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew:

'Our improvement at Stoke was marked and now we need to see a result follow

'We have to find a new way to win games as we have a lot of creative imagination not in the team.

'I thought we went about it the right way at Stoke with a real tough, disciplined display, and on another night we would have got a result.

'The players put absolutely everything into that game and they will have to do the same again on Monday night.

'Wigan won at Spurs and have put in some great performances this season. They also beat Reading last weekend when I thought perhaps it was against them to win it at the time.

'Wigan have good players who can produce great displays, and we've got to hope they don't on Monday.'

Yohan Cabaye, Steven Taylor, Ryan Taylor, Hatem Ben Arfa, James Perch and Gabriel Obertan are all out through injury or suspension, Shola Ameobi though as a chance of making the bench

Newcastle from - Krul, Coloccini, Santon, Simpson, Williamson, Anita, Gutierrez, Tiote, Ba, Cisse, Bigirimana, Ranger, Tavernier, Ferguson, Marveaux

Always seems to score against us!

Maloney, Alcaraz, Watson, Ramis, Crusat all definitely out, Caldwell and Jones are rated at 50/50, McArthur could start

Latics possible - Al Habsi, Boyce, Lopez, Figueroa, McArthur, McCarthy, Stam, Beausejour, Gomez, Di Santo, Kone

Need to see our main man hit the goal trail again


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and Newcastle have met 16 times

Latics 6 wins, Newcastle 6, draws 4

In the Premier League its much the same with five wins each and two draws.

Last Six Meetings

28 Apr 2012 - Premier League - Latics 4 Newcastle 0
22 Oct 2011 - Premier League - Newcastle 1 Latics 0
02 Jan 2011 - Premier League - Latics 0 Newcastle 1
16 Oct 2010 - Premier League - Newcastle 2 Latics 2
26 Dec 2008 - Premier League - Latics 2 Newcastle 1
15 Nov 2008 - Premier League - Newcastle 2 Latics 2

Mike Jones (Chester)

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

Mike Jones Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 13, yellows - 37, reds - 0

Head say's 1-1

Heart say's sneaky little away win, 1-0 to the Latics, as always going with the heart

Premier League
Latics v QPR
DW Stadium
Saturday
08/12/12
3pm

Norwich v Latics
Carrow Road
Saturday
15/12/12
3pm

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