A massive day for the Latics, with Blackburn and Bristol City meeting at Ewood and Burton travelling to St Andrews to face Birmingham, Graham Barrow’s men have to be party poopers down at Brighton this afternoon.
The Seagulls are on the verge of confirming their return to the top flight, but we are desperate for the points to try against the odds to secure safety, it is a tough ask for the Latics but whilst there is a chance and all that.
Of course the season isn’t down to one game, but we have shown enough fight over the past couple of weeks to suggest whatever happens this season we do have the stomach for the fight.
Up the tics!
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Graham Barrow – ”Brighton have gradually built up a team that is good enough to go into the Premier League and has bags of Championship experience.
”We gave Brighton a good run for their money at home and I think the pressure will be on them so if we can use that to our benefit.”
”I think we’ll approach it in a similar way to what we did the Newcastle game”
”We got a really professional tactical performance out of the players there and that wasn’t far away from getting us a result.
”We feel we can go there and give it a go, though, I don’t see any point in going and parking the bus because we have to try and win the game.
”We have to get the players ready, see who is really up for it physically.”
Brighton and Hove Albion Team News:
Shane Duffy and Connor Goldson are out.
Brighton possible – Stockdale, Bruno, Hunemeier, Dunk, Pocognoli, Knockaert, Stephens, Sidwell, March, Murray, Hemed.
Player to watch:
Anthony Knockaert
Named Championship player of the season, Knockaert is a highly talented player and full of class.
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Hammered by injuries all season we are still missing several key players.
Latics possible – Haugaard, Hanson, Buxton, Burn, Warnock, MacDonald, Power, Morsy, Colclough, Jacobs, Obertan
Player to watch:
Nick Powell
Not sure what stage of the game Mighty Nick will get on, but he is sure to make an impact one way or another.
By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
Any Previous?
Latics and Brighton have met 15 times previously, all in the league
Latics have 6 wins, Brighton 8, draws 1
Last Six Meetings
22/10/16 – Championship – Latics 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 1
18 Apr 2015 – Championship – Latics 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 1
04 Nov 2014 – Championship – Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Latics 0
22 Feb 2014 – Championship – Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Latics 2
24 Nov 2013 – Championship – Latics 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 1
15 Mar 2005 – Championship – Brighton and Hove Albion 2 Latics 4
Ref Watch:
James Linington (Isle of White)
Take a look at our ‘Meet The Ref’ article.
James Linington Card Watch 2016/17
Games – 31, yellows – 132, reds – 2.
Match Prediction:
Head says Brighton to win 3-0.
Heart says Latics to win 2-3, as always going with the heart.
Up Next:
Championship Run In
Latics v Cardiff City
DW Stadium
Saturday
22/04/17
3pm
Reading v Latics
Madejski Stadium
Saturday
29/04/17
3pm
Latics v Leeds United
DW Stadium
Sunday
07/05/17
12 Noon
Check out the latest PWU Podcast – Easter Time
A bit of WWE down at the DW on Saturday when Rotherham were in town, Nick ‘The Horse’ Powell came out on top over Lewis ‘Costly’ Price, the Horse’s 97th minute strike flashing into the back of the net to give the Latics 3 points and consign Rotherham to yet another away defeat.
Two games to look forward to, well you know what I mean, Barnsley are at the DW on Thursday, then it’s off to Brighton on Easter Monday.
Last on the agenda, but certainly not least is the Development Squad’s fine victory over Fleetwood in the Central League cup final, Si gives us his report on proceedings.
The podcast can be listened to by clicking the embedded player below or downloaded to listen at you leisure by visiting www.buzzsprout.com
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