Latics tackle Brentford this afternoon looking for their first win since August, sitting just one place above the bottom three is a precarious position to be in at any stage of the season and the sooner we put some points on the board to pull ourselves clear the better.
Of course there is added spice to this particular game, due to the fact that Uwe Rösler joined the Latics from Brentford and clubs always look to do one over on their former boss, but by the same token I am sure that Rösler will have his team fired up to deal with anything that the Bees will throw at us, we were let down in the physical contest against Ipswich a couple of games back, we can’t allow that to happen again.
Brentford have made an okay start to life in the Championship, sitting 10th in the table with five wins and four losses, they play with two speedy wide players and keep the ball on the floor, aside from the connection with Rösler this will be a tough game in its own right.
We can’t worry about the opposition though and we should concentrate on our own strengths, we have a quality squad, but just need to have the right blend to the starting eleven to ensure that we get on our game from the off.
I envisage an exciting game this afternoon with a great atmosphere, just hoping that come 5pm it is the Latics fans that are going home with the biggest smiles.
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Uwe Rösler – ‘The players need to deliver at home
‘They need to be the trigger for the fans to get behind them as normal, all of us working together for the benefit of our fantastic football club.’
‘The spirit and tactical intelligence of the players against Nottingham Forest and Wolves showed this is a squad not far away from ‘clicking’ again – one that is coming to terms with the big changes in both playing staff and technical staff it has undergone in a short space of time.
‘This will be another good test for us and we need to approach the game in our normal professional manner.
‘Football often throws up personal stories, and in the same way last season when going back to Manchester City, it is important not to get distracted and lose focus when there is a job to do.
‘Today it’s about us dictating the game.
‘We need to start at a high tempo, be on the front foot from the first whistle and make our energy visible to our supporters so that they can whip up the atmosphere on our own home soil.
‘I am expecting an open game the key will be how clinical we are with the opportunities that will come our way.’
Brentford boss Mark Warburton – ‘Wigan have a very high quality squad
‘You look where they are in the league and it is a false position.
‘They have a very strong squad with some big names and a lot of guys who were away on internationals this week.
‘They have the likes of James McClean, Shaun Maloney and William Kvist and we are well aware of the threat they pose.
‘They are a high quality team and they are at home so I am sure they are favourites to win this type of game against a smaller club but we go there in good shape and in good form.’
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Watson and McCann are still a way off, Huws is doubtful, Boyce will have a fitness test but rated unlikely to be ready, there could be a couple of surprise starts this week.
Latics possible – Carson, Tavernier, Ramis, Barnett, Taylor, Kvist, Cowie, McManaman, Maloney, McClean, Riera
Player to watch: James McClean
McClean was excellent against Forest and he has had two very good games for the Republic of Ireland during the international break.
McClean on fire
By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
Brentford Team News:
Smith and Saunders are still out, but Dallas and Yennaris are due to return.
Brentford from – Button, McCormack, Craig, Tarkowski, Bidwell, Douglas, Odubajo, Judge, Pritchard, Jota, Gray, Dean, Tabar, Bonham, Toral, Diagouraga, Coelho, Proschwitz, Dallas, Yennaris
Player to watch: Jonathan Douglas
Former Leeds midfield man is the Brentford top scorer so far this season and an ever present in the starting line-up
Any Previous?
Latics and Brentford have met 31 times, with the Latics having the upperhand:
Latics 18 wins, Brentford 6, draws 7
Previous Six Meetings
12 Apr 2003 – League Division 2 – Latics 2 Brentford 0
23 Nov 2002 – League Division 2 – Brentford 0 Latics 1
19 Jan 2002 – League Division 2 – Brentford 0 Latics 1
11 Aug 2001 – League Division 2 – Latics 1 Brentford 1
07 Apr 2001 – League Division 2 – Latics 1 Brentford 3
02 Dec 2000 – League Division 2 – Brentford 2 Latics 2
Ref Watch:
Tony Harrington (Cleveland)
Why not take a look at our ‘Meet The Ref’ article
Tony Harrington Card Watch 2014/15
Games – 9, yellows – 26, reds – 0
Match Prediction:
Head says 1-1 draw
Heart says Latics to win 2-1, as always going with the heart
Up Next:
Championship
Latics v Millwall
DW Stadium
Tuesday
21/10/14
7:45pm
Derby County v Latics
Prde Park
Saturday
25/10/14
3pm
Check out the latest PWU podcast
This week we have the luxury of no Latics game to reflect upon, but there were some internationals that saw members of the squad return to Wigan with huge smiles on their faces.
With the BBC producing the latest figures on value at football grounds an interesting debate develops with the crew discussing, amongst other things, the cost of a pie at Braintree.
There are a couple of important games on the horizon, the first of which against Brentford has a little extra spice attached to it with the summer of fun around the Adam Forshaw saga developing into a public spat between the two clubs, this is discussed and also what the consequences would be if the unthinkable happens, no wins from either game.
The podcast can be listened to by clicking the embedded player below or downloaded to listen at you leisure by visiting www.buzzsprout.com
