Latics face Watford this afternoon looking to get their away game back on the road, having not scored an away goal since the opening game of the season Owen Coyle will be desperate to see his charges show some attacking prowess against the highscoring Hornets
Gianfranco Zola has got his team playing fast flowing football and they are hoping to make up for the disappointment of falling at the final hurdle last season when the lost in the play-off final to Crystal Palace
A very tough game ahead for the Latics, one where we will need better possession of the ball than we have seen of late, we don`t want to be inviting the opposition onto us this week, we have the personnel to get something from the game, we just need to make sure that we do
What The Bosses Say:
Latics boss Owen Coyle:
‘We all know it’s a very busy part of the season, so it was a big positive to come through the Manchester City game in midweek injury-free.
‘We’ve got a tough game coming up this weekend which we’ll look to freshen up for, but on the back of a fantastic result against Ipswich Town last weekend we go to Vicarage Road with the intention of taking all three points.
‘We’ve shown at different stages of the season so far that we’re more than capable of producing match-winning performances against the division’s other top teams.
‘Following on from the Ipswich game we want to be a threat going forward and keep shutting out the opposition at the back as we also did in Belgium.
‘So far this season we’ve been terrific at the DW Stadium, and on the opening day showed we can go away from home, keep clean sheets and win games.
‘We want to get back to those levels, but everyone is going to have to play to their maximum to achieve it. The players know that but they’re up for the challenge, and whilst we are still a young group the attitude every day has been fantastic which will help as we progress.’
Watford boss Gianfranco Zola:
‘It will be a tough one’
“They were in the Premier League last year, and I’m sure they in their minds will want to come and play as a Premier League team.
‘Obviously they have quality, they have the experience to give us a good game. It will be down to us, we will have to give them problems they are not expecting.’
Watford Team News:
There are still doubts over lmen Abdi and Josh McEachran after he was substituted against Norwich City in midweek with back spasms Watford
Tommie Hoban and Nyron Nosworthy are definitely missing
Watford from – Almunia, Doyley, Belkalem, Angella, Cassetti, Iriney, Anya, McGugan, Battocchio, Faraoni, Ekstrand, Murray, Forestieri, Deeney, Fabbrini, Acuna, Bond, Pudil
Player to watch: Troy Deeney
Six goals already this season for Deeney
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Shaun Maloney and Grant Holt who are both still unavailable due to recent injuries, long term absentees Ali Al Habsi, Gary Caldwell and Ivan Ramis are still way off returning
Latics possible –Carson, Boyce, Rogne, Barnett, Perch, Watson, McArthur, McClean, McManaman, Powell, Fortune
Player to watch: Nick Powell
Starting to look the part now he is getting match fit
By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
Any Previous?
Latics and Watford have met 12 times
Latics 4 wins, Watford 3, draws 5
Previous Six Meetings
21 Feb 2007 – Premier League – Watford 1 Latics 1
23 Sep 2006 – Premier League – Latics 1 Watford 1
25 Oct 2005 – Carling Cup – Latics 3 Watford 0
22 Jan 2005 – Championship – Latics 2 Watford 2
28 Sep 2004 – Championship – Watford 0 Latics 0
27 Mar 2004 – League 1 – Watford 1 Latics 1
Ref Watch:
Andy Madley (Wakefield)
Why not take a look at our ‘Meet The Ref’ article
Andy Madley Card Watch 2013/14
Games – 9, yellows – 26, reds – 1
Match Prediction:
Head and heart say 2-2 draw, so that’s what I am going with
Up Next:
UEFA Europa League
Latics v NK Maribor
DW Stadium
Thursday
03/10/13
8:05pm
Championship
Latics v Blackburn Rovers
DW Stadium
Sunday
06/10/13
3pm
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