Roberto Martinez takes his Latics side to League 2 Notts County for today`s 4th round FA cup tie looking to make the 5th round for the first time since the 86/87 season.
Latics have a virtual full strength squad and have slight doubts over Paul Scharner and Mario Melchiot; the Latics skipper could wear a face mask to protect his broken nose that he sustained on the back of Titus Brambles head last weekend.
The FA cup seems to take second place these days to the fixation of staying a Premier League side but it gives the club a realistic shot at some glory and a good cup run would be a shot in the arm for the finances as well
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Roberto Martinez
‘We all know the magic of the cup will be there on Saturday, and the home team always gets that little bit of extra momentum with the crowd behind them’
‘As we all know they have a new project taking place there at the moment, and they have certain individuals that make them better than the level they’re playing at.
‘They’ve shown that in a one-off game like this they can beat anyone, they have a certain pattern to their play, try to play the game in the right manner and that’s refreshing to see.
‘I’m sure Notts County will achieve their aims very soon and we’ll have to be aware of them this weekend.’
Notts County boss Dave Kevan
‘We’re always capable of scoring, certainly at home. We’ve done very well in terms of winning at home.
‘We know it’s a tough match, they are well-established in the top-flight. But it’s a game we can really look forward to and try to give a good account of ourselves.
‘The whole squad are looking forward to it. It will be a good challenge for them to rise to.
‘We’re not sure what type of team Roberto will put out but whoever he picks they have a lot of top quality players so we will need to be at our best.’
Notts County Team News:
Notts County from:
Schmeichel, Lee, Thompson, Bishop, Ravenhill, Jackson, Hunt, Davies, Westcarr, Haley, Hughes, Hoult, Pilkington, Facey, Rodgers, Clapham, Edwards, Hamshaw, Akinbiyi, Fairclough
Player to watch: Lee Hughes
Good goal scorer from down the years, always a threat and always seems to hit the target
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Paul Scharner and Mario Melchiot will have late fitness tests and Chris Krkland could be rested
Latics probable:
Stojkovic, Melchiot, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, N’Zogbia, Scharner, Diame, McCarthy, Rodallega, Scotland
Player to watch: Charles N’Zogbia
Sensational form all season from little Charlie
Any Previous?
Latics and Notts County have met 27 times in all competitions down the years
Laticd have won 12, Notts County 5 and there have been 10 draws
Last Five Meetings
26/08/08 – League Cup – Latics 4 Notts Co. 0
01/01/03 – League One – Latics 3 Notts Co. 1
22/10/02 – FL Trophy – Notts Co. 2 Latics 3
24/08/02 – League One – Notts Co. 0 Latics 2
19/02/02 – League One – Notts Co. 1 Latics 3
Ref Watch:
Michael Oliver or Mark Clattenburg?
Diferent sites give different refs
Match Prediction:
Heart says comfortable Latics win 4-0
Head says a little bit closer 2-0 to the Latics
Up Next:
Premier League
Blackburn Rovers Vs Latics
Ewood Park
Wednesday 27/10/01 8pm
Latics Vs Everton
DW Stadium
Saturday 30/10/01 3pm
