However the answer to that question is much more difficult to answer for the current crop of players who are more than likely playing to further their own careers and nothing more.
They may talk a good game with promising interviews in newspapers and even offering opinions on how the team should play (own goals are not part of the plan). But when it really matters, do the current crop of players really have the stomach for the fight that was so evident in the Wigan Athletic side that won promotion to, and survived in the Premier League.
The team spirit that was so abundant in the promotion season, and then the survival season is now gone. The determination to do well and achieve something special is now gone.
What those players lacked in talent, they made up for with work-rate and commitment. We were hard to play against. Every player knew their job and they did it well. Teams didn't want to face Wigan Athletic because they would know they were in for a fight.
Fast forward to the present day and Wigan Athletic are stuck, adrift in the relegation zone with a crop of players whose commitment and desire is being called into question.
There are a small number of players who may be excused, but for all the talent and technique of the current band of players, do they have the aggression needed to fight in the Premier League?
The Christmas period will see our club face some very important games in which crucial points are up for grabs. As quickly as the Latics have dropped to the lower reaches of the table, ten points during the festive period will see the club rise out of danger.
Without wanting to name the names of the players, we, and they, will know who they are, it is time for them to either step up and produce the displays that Wigan Athletic need, or it is time to be branded a failure who lacked the fight to survive.
I put the question to you, which Latics side you would rather turn out against Blackburn on Saturday?
Current Side
Chris Kirkland, Mario Melchiot, Kevin Kilbane, Titus Bramble, Emmerson Boyce, Antonio Valencia, Jason Koumas, Paul Scharner, Denny Landzaat, Emile Heskey, Marcus Bent.
Survival Side
Mike Pollitt, Pascal Chimbonda, Leighton Baines, Arjan De Zeeuw, Matt Jackson, Jimmy Bullard, Alan Mahon, Lee McCulloch, Graham Kavanagh, Jason Roberts, Henri Camara.
Hopefully between now and the end of the season, the current crop will prove that there is some fight and guts within their stomachs, otherwise new boss Bruce will have more than his work cut out.
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