Hot on the heels of Saturdays fantastic win at Aston Villa comes the opening home Premier League game of the season against newly promoted Wolves
Roberto Martinez will undoubtedly get a rousing home coming in his first competitive match in Wigan since being appointed boss of the Latics back in May and if Saturday is anything to go by then we are in for a treat this season.
Latics are on the crest of a wave, a bright new boss, players who just love to play football and an exciting brand of attack minded play that is a joy to watch, is it all a dream?
Martinez is no mug and though the supporters are getting carried a way, and why not, he will keep the players feet firmly on the ground and realise in Wolves the Latics will face tough opponents, Mick McCarthy has assembled a very good side at Molineux and I have no doubt that they will enjoy a comfortable season so the Latics will need to be at their best tonight to get something from the game, but at full potential we should be too good for our opponents.
Wolves are suffering from a host of injury concerns and definitely out is Ebanks-Blake and though he would have been a threat I am disappointed not to be seeing him play tonight, also out for the Black Country men is new signing Kevin Doyle and so their goal threat is a little mute.
Apart from Olivier Kapo Latics only injury concern is Charles N`Zogbia who is rated at 50/50 and though he will be missed if he is declared unfit there will be a more than able replacement in Scott Sinclair.
I am looking forward to a good game tonight and I have a slight buzz of anticipation, got the butterflies, I am really pleased to have Roberto in and this should be a very good season, up the ‘tics
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Roberto Martinez
‘It’s going to be a lesson for us’
‘You can’t underestimate anyone in the Premier League, and you can’t go into a game just expecting to win.
‘I know Wolves well – we beat them, at home and lost away last year – but I don’t have an advantage. You never know the opposition well enough.
‘They’ve signed a couple of very good players and maybe they will now play in a different way.
‘Obviously now it is a different level, but they are going to be solid and they have big threats where they can hurt you. As a football club we have to be very strong. We treat every game the same as we would with the top four.’
Wolves boss Maick McCarthy
‘The earlier you get something on the board the better that is for sure’
‘I would really like that at Wigan, but I am not going to start saying it is vital because there are 37 games to play. It is how many points you end up with. The earlier you get them it gives you confidence to get more.’
‘Wigan will be cockahoop about the Villa win I would have thought’
‘It was a fabulous result away from home – what a great start that is. They will be confident and they might just think having beaten Villa away that Wolves at home is a piece of cake. We will see.’
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Charles N’Zogbia is rated 50/50 and will have a late fitness test, Chris Kirkland is carrying a dead leg but expected to play, Olivie Kapo is out with a knee injury.
Latics from:
Kirkland, Edman, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Scharner, Brown, N’Zogbia, Gomez, Koumas, Rodallega, Scotland, Cho, Thomas, Figueroa, King, DeRidder, Watson, Pollitt
Player to watch: Hugo Rodallega
Fntastic performance a tremendous goal from the Colombian hitman at Villa on Saturday, here’s hoping he can continue his good form
Wolverhampton Wanderers Team News:
Ebanks-Blake, Doyle and Foley out
Wolves from:
Hennessey, Vokes, Mancienne, Stearman, Craddock, Stephen Ward, Halford, Henry, Milijas, Edwards, Jarvis, Keogh, Hahnemann, Elokobi, Surman, David Jones
Player to watch: Andy Keogh
Dublin born player signed from Scunthorpe, lightening quick, can pass and shoot, good vision and a good team player.
If the Wolves forwards are going to score this season then it is vital that Keogh provides the chances
Any Previous
Last meeting
Latics 2-0 Wolves
January 2005
Ref Watch:
Mike Jones (Chester)
39 year old Jones started refing at 15 and he is now in his 2nd year as a Premier League referee
Match Prediction:
Heart says 3-0 Latics win
Head says 2-0 Latics win
Up Next:
Wigan Athletic Vs Manchester United
DW Stadium
Saturday
22/08/09
3pm
