Latics take on Middlesbrough this afternoon with Aitor Karanka’s side riding high in the Championship table, a tough first game test for new boss Malky Mackay.
Without doubt the world’s media will be at the DW Stadium this afternoon and football will probably be the last thing on their minds, as supporters of the Latics the game though will be a pleasant relief from the furore of the past few days and give the fans a chance to see how the players have adapted, albeit in a short space of time, to the footballing ideas of Mackay.
The Latics are in a desperate position in the bottom three and it is imperative that they start to grind out results to get themselves up the table, Boro on the other hand look a quality side and are bouncing away just one point behind leaders Derby with automatic promotion very much their aim. I am looking forward to what promises to be an exciting game of football, one which I hope we can come out on top.
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Malky Mackay – ‘We’re in a situation at the moment whereby we’re in the bottom three, so that’s the first agenda.
‘After that it’s about steps forward, it’s about making sure that we progress and that we get back to the Premier League as quickly as the club can.
‘I know the division well, I’ve played in it and managed in it for a number of years. I know that we will have to play in a way which makes our fans proud of their team.’
‘I’ve been up here at the DW Stadium before when it’s been rocking and that’s what I’ll be looking for again going forward.
‘Fans and players rub off on each other in terms of their enthusiasm for the football club and they’re certainly going to get a manager that has got great enthusiasm for everything connected to Wigan Athletic.
‘I can assure the fans they will certainly see that in me and I’m sure I’ll also see that in them.’
Boro boss Aitor Karanka – ‘I think it’s going to be difficult because when one team changes their manager, the players are always more motivated and want to impress the new manager’
‘Their crowd will be helping them too, but it’s the same situation as when we played Huddersfield so we have to go into that game thinking about ourselves and that will be our concern.
‘We have to be intelligent and we have to play in the way we know how to – quick and fast when we have the ball.’
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Ivan Ramis is a doubt otherwise it’s all systems go for Mackay in his first game in charge.
Latics possible – Carson, Perch, Boyce, Barnett, Figueroa, Forshaw, Cowie, Maloney, Espinoza, McManaman, Fortune
Player to watch: Callum McManaman
Hopefully Macca can turn it on and dazzle us all once again with his undoubted talent.
Roberto on at half-time
By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
Middlesbrough Team News:
Jonathan Woodgate, Damia Abella, Rhys Williams and Muzzy Carayol are all out.
Boro from – Dimi, Fredericks, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Reach, Leadbitter, Clayton, Wildschut, Tomlin, Bamford, Mejias, Vossen, Nsue, Whitehead, Kike, Adomah, Veljkovic
Player to watch: Patrick Bamford
On loan striker played against us last season for both MK Dons and Derby, excellent prospect.
Any Previous?
Latics and Boro have met 13 times in all competitions.
Latics 2 wins, Boro 5, draws 6
Previous Six Meetings
28 Jan 2014 – Championship – Middlesbrough 0 Latics 0
25 Aug 2013 – Championship – Latics 2 Middlesbrough 2
21 Feb 2009 – Premier League – Middlesbrough 0 Latics 0
04 Oct 2008 – Premier League – Latics 0 Middlesbrough 1
29 Jan 2008 – Premier League – Middlesbrough 1 Latics 0
15 Aug 2007 – Premier League – Latics 1 Middlesbrough 0
Ref Watch:
David Webb (Wearside)
Why not take a look at our ‘Meet The Ref’ article.
David Webb Card Watch 2014/15
Games – 13, yellows – 23, reds – 1
Match Prediction:
Head says very tough game against the divisions form side and we’ll be lucky to get a 0-0 draw.
Heart says the players will step up to the mark and we will come out on top, 2-1 Latics win, as always going with the heart.
Up Next:
Championship
Sheffield Wednesday v Latics
Hillsborough
Saturday
29/11/14
3pm
Latics v Norwich City
DW Stadium
Saturday
06/12/14
3pm
Have a listen to the latest podcast
Contents: Intros: (so much for an) international ‘break` (0:00); exclusive: Statman sacked Rosler! (1:30); a surprising appointment? (6:20); shock pseudo-soccer presser starring Greg F (10:20); Statman speaks & Paul`s Mackay factfile (20:00); the youth vote (28:00); number one candidate? (35:30); ‘too good to go down` (40:30); WAFC Fans Advisory Board (47:00); Middlesbrough mini-preview (49:20) including ‘predictions` AKA wild stabs (50:50)
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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