Norwich v Latics Preview

Latics travel down to Norwich today for what will undoubtedly be a tough encounter, but one which we will be looking to get points from

Our defensive problems will be eased slightly by the return of Maynor Figueroa, but Boyce and Lopez will continue their duties in the back three

Last weekend against QPR the Latics played some excellent football and with the chances created could have ran out comfortable winners, the same level of performance in the coming weeks and our visit to the bottom three will only be a fleeting one.

Norwich had a cracking win against Swansea last time out and they are in a rich vein of form, they have made some intelligent additions to their squad from last season and Snodgrass in particular looks very good

A tough game for both sides, but one in which I truly believe that we can get a positive result

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'They are unbeaten in their last nine league games, a run of consistency that is very hard to achieve, beating top sides along the way and going away from home like last weekend at Swansea and score four goals.

'So you can see they are growing and getting stronger by the week, and that confidence is something we'll have to match on the day in order to get a result.'

'It's important now though that we start collecting points which our recent performances deserve; I'm happy in many aspects of our performances but now we need consistency in our score-lines also.'


Norwich boss Chris Hughton:

'Having seen Wigan they are a very good side

'It's circumstances that sometimes see you in a position in the league that is a false position

'Everything that I have seen about Wigan has been good, they can certainly score goals'

'They changed their system last , which I think as worked very, very well for them'

'It will be a very tough game'

John Ruddy, Ryan Bennett and Andrew Surman are definitey out, Harry Kane is training again after breaking his foot, whilst Steven Whittaker is rated 50/50.

Alext Tettey and Wes Hoolahan have both recovered from knocks that kept them out of the midweek Capital One cup defeat to Aston Villa and should be back in contention.

Norwich from - Bunn, Martin, Whittaker, Bassong, Garrido, Johnson, Snodgrass, Howson, Holt, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Morison, Fox, Tierney, Bennett, Jackson, Barnett

A very good player that we were heavily linked with a couple of seasons back when he was with Leeds

Snodgrass has found his Premier League feet at Norwich and he's become a very dangerous player

Antolin Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell, Ivan Ramis, Albert Crusat, Ryo Miyaichi and Ben Watson, are all definitely out.

James McArthur and Shaun Maloney should be in line for starts and Maynor Figueroa is back after suspension

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

Been excellent since his move to the back three, keep it up Boycey


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and Norwich have met seven times

Latics 1 win, Norwich 3, draws 3...Premier League record is two draws

All Previous Seven Meetings

11 Mar 2012 - Premier League - Norwich 1 Latics 1
13 Aug 2011 - Premier League - Latics 1 Norwich 1
09 April 2004 - League Division 1 - Norwich 2 Latics 0
04 Oct 2003 - League Division 1 - Latics 1 Norwich 1
22 Sept 1998 - Worthington Cup - Latics 2 Norwich 3
16 Sept 1998 - Worthington Cup - Norwich 1 Latics 0
31 Jan 1987 - FA Cup - Latics 1 Norwich 0

Lee Probert (Gloucester)

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

Lee Probert Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 15, yellows 45, reds - 1

Head say's 1-1 draw

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

Premier League

Latics v Arsenal
DW Stadium
Saturday
22/12/12
12:45pm

Everton v Latics
Goodison Park
Boxing Day
26/12/12
3pm

Why not have a listen to this weeks podcast, there is a preview of today's game on it

The latest PWU podcast is now available from most good record stores, do they still have them? I remember Roy Hurst Records in the old Market Hall, Javelin in the New Precinct, Rumbelows also sold records (where Subway is) and Debenhams had a record section, Russ Winstanley also had his import shop in Hallgate, but I digress

This week's edition looks back at the QPR game, how on earth did we not win that! There is also discussion about potential new signing Ferrie Bodde, Phil Dowd receiving abuse even though he did ok and we look forward to the Norwich game. We! I almost forgot, it's the usual rabble of Dan, Rob, Gareth, Paul and Barry, the action is recorded at the Beech Hill Book Cycle on Buckley Street

The podcast can be downloaded from itunes, from our hosting provider www.buzzsprout.com, or simply click the play button on the embedded player below

Feedback as always welcome, both positive and negative, also if you wish to get involved please get in touch wigan@vitalfootball.co.uk , mark your email Podcast

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