The sun is shining and all feels well, most definitely the lull before the storm, with Forest up against Reading and Blackburn away at Wolves we have a shot in the last chance saloon.
A win today could see us move to within two points of safety, with two to play, no ifs, buts or maybes, this is an all guns blazing game.
Cardiff will provide stiff opposition, Neil Warnock is not a manager who eases off at any point so this is a tough game, but hopefully our greater need for the points will transpire into greater desire and effort and be enough to carry us over the line.
Whatever happens all we can ask is that the players give it their best shot and in Nick Powell we do have a talisman, you just never know, this could turn out to be the greatest of our great escapes.
Up the tics!
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Graham Barrow:
”Myself and Neil (Warnock) go back a long way really and we’ve ebbed and flowed with the results, so I need a result against him on Saturday.
”It’s probably been 50/50 between us down the years but I’ve got to make sure I edge it this time and get the result.
”There’s never been any needle between us but there’s always been that competitive edge, and it’ll be tough for us again this time.
”He’ll have the side motivated, no question.”
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock:
”Wigan are a good footballing team and they’ll have a lot of possession”
”Powell’s had a right good spell in front of goal so we’ll be tested and I think it will be a good game.
”People say there’s pressure at the top of the table but I wouldn’t want to be in their position. It’s a horrible place to be. I think there’s far more pressure at the other end of the table.
”Every game has got something riding on it. Wigan beat us down here (in Cardiff) and I don’t want them to have a double over us.
”I think the challenge is there.”
Wigan Athletic Team News:
On loan goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard has a shoulder injury and returned to Stoke.
Both Reece Burke and Omar Bogle could return to the squad today.
Latics possible – Gilks, Hanson, Buxton, Burn, Warnock, MacDonald, Power, Morsy, Colclough, Jacobs, Obertan
Player to watch:
Nick Powell
He’ll be on at some point during the game, a start might be too much of a gamble but the final half hour a different option.
Five goals in his last three games, the mans on fire!
By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
Cardiff City Team News:
Cardiff possible – McGregor, Manga, Morrison, Peltier, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Harris, Pilkington, Whittingham, Hoilet, Zohore
Player to watch:
Anthony Pilkington
Former Atherton Collieries player, Pilkington has had a great career, always a goal threat, fast and skillful, definitely one to watch. Latics and Cardiff have met 26 times. Oliver Langford (West Mids) Take a look at our ‘Meet The Ref’ article for all you need to know on little Ollie. Oliver Langford Card Watch 2016/17 Games – 41, yellows – 124, reds – 5 Head and heart can’t see anything beyond a 2-1 home win for the Latics. Championship Run In Check out the latest PWU Podcast – It’s A Knockout Timecodes: The podcast can be listened to by clicking the embedded player below or downloaded to listen at you leisure by visiting www.buzzsprout.com We are also available on itunes and we have an app for your tablet or mobile, just follow the instructions here
Latics have 11 wins, Cardiff 6, draws 9
The two clubs first met back in 1982 in the old Division Three, with the Latics losing that encounter 3-2. All the previous meetings, except for the cup game, when we won at the Cardiff City Stadium with strikes from Ben Watson and Chris McCann, have been in the league and all but seven came in one of the bottom two divisions.
Last Six Meetings
29 Oct 2016 – Championship – Cardiff City 0 Latics 1
24 Feb 2015 – Championship – Latics 0 Cardiff City 1
19 Aug 2014 – Championship – Cardiff City 1 Latics 0
15 Feb 2014 – FA Cup 5th Round – Cardiff City 1 Latics 2
09 Apr 2005 – Championship – Cardiff City 0 Latics 2
30 Aug 2004 – Championship – Latics 2 Cardiff City 1Ref Watch:
Match Prediction:
Up Next:
Reading v Latics
Madejski Stadium
Saturday
29/04/17
3pm
Latics v Leeds United
DW Stadium
Sunday
07/05/17
12 Noon
0:00 ‘End of Days’ intros
1:30 Barnsley review: Nick Powell, the hero Wigan needs but does not deserve
6:00 Hau My Gaard, it’s the Battle of the Crap Keepers
11:00 Barnsley in detention & an honorary mention (for the ref)
14:00 Goalie solution: ‘put Deep Heat in Haugaard’s pants’
16:00 Win-win-win to survive?
20:00 Cardiff preview: Statman gives up!
23:00 Protracted predictions & Si’s Blue, Blue(bird) Oddschecker
35:00 Progress With Unity Player of the Season voting now open
36:00 Half Time Game: 2nd winner of the season & new game = It’s A Knockout?
