The Latics meanwhile have been pulling out all the stops to prove they are a side that warrants a better league position than the eighteenth position currently occupied.
Firstly there was the superb performance against Chelsea that culminated in a deserved draw with the Latics finishing the game the stronger of the two sides. This is itself is no small achievement with Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas insisting that Chelsea remain in the title fight.
Next up was the visit of Liverpool to the DW Stadium and the Latics howed no sign of fatigue following the Chelsea point. Rather it was more of the same as Liverpool were forced to look like an ordinary side.
The first fifteen minutes aside, Roberto Martinez's side more than matched Liverpool and had plenty of chances to take all three points themselves, even if Match of the Day's chosen highlights would have you believe otherwise.
With the visit of Old Trafford looming large on the Boxing Day horizon, now would be superb opportunity for the Latics to make it a hat-trick of points taken from the big boys.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool have been made to look like ordinary sides by the Latics who on their day are far better than the present league table suggests.
The ultimate acid test is the Old Trafford trip where we have a notoriously poor record against Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Write the Latics off at your peril. A terrible run of results now firmly behind them, Roberto Martinez and his team will be looking to drive up the league table in the new year.
What better a catalyst than picking up points against Chelsea, Liverpool, AND Manchester United in what was meant to be a December to fear.
