Is it too early to say that this is a 6 pointer in the fight for survival in the Premier League? For me, it’s a no. Should Latics win, it will give everyone at the club a massive morale boost ahead of what is sure to be a tricky festive period. However, the game cannot have too much pressure put on it. Given the horrific run we are currently on, we need an atmosphere that will not be tense and nervy but supportive and encouraging. The opposition are in the same situation as us.
Blackburn are winless in 6 league games, their last victory being the 4-3 win over Arsenal back in September. Good victories in the Carling Cup have helped maintain belief at Ewood Park that they can avoid relegation as they did at Wolves on the final day of last season.
Steve Kean is not a popular man at the moment for the Rovers fans it would seem. After having a successful period under Sam Allardyce, The Indian Chicken firm Venkys took over the club, sacked Allardyce and decided they wanted the unknown Kean to take charge and spearhead the new era at the club. Venkys stated that they wanted to attract the worlds best. David Beckham, Ronaldinho and Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow were all linked but no big names arrived in 2011.
The poor start to the league has done little to change the supporters’ opinions on Kean and he is one of the favourites to be the first Premier League manager axed this campaign.
Let’s not dress this up; it’s been a horrible few months to be a Wigan fan. With no win since the summer and more and more fans turning on Martinez, the game on Saturday needs to be the turnaround we so desperately need. The Wolves game was so disappointing. You could see the players’ disbelief when Rodallega missed the chance right before Kevin Doyle scored. We are due a massive change in fortune. We also have to make our own luck by doing the all important thing, scoring the first goal. Something we haven’t done since Everton away back in September. If we do this, it’s so important we don’t concede immediately after as we did on that day at Goodison.
Wigan Team News
Antolin Alcaraz starts his 3 game ban after the spitting incident at Wolves. Ali Al-Habsi, Patrick Van-Aanholt, James McArthur, Gary Caldwell, Maynor Figueroa, Mohamed Diame and James McCarthy have all been away on international duty and should be fit for the game, meaning Roberto Martinez has almost a fully fit squad to choose from and may freshen things up as he looks for that elusive win.
Predicted Wigan Line Up
Al-Habsi
Boyce Caldwell Gohouri Figueroa
Jones Watson Diame
Moses Rodallega Di Santo
Key Player for Blackburn
Junior Hoilett – Hoilett has got a great future ahead of him. He is the equivalent of when we had Charles N’Zogbia last season, if anyone is going to be the spark to keep Rovers up it will be him. A quick and speedy winger with an eye for goal, Hoilett is very direct and will cause our defence problems so Caldwell and co. will have to be alert.
WIGANER.net Prediction
Blackburn have scored 3 goals at the DW on 4 of their last 6 visits so this may turn into a goal fest, something the DW has been lacking in so far this season. For me, we have to win and I believe we will. It’s going to be a very tough game but with a raucous stadium backing the team, 3 points could be ours at 5pm on Saturday.
WAFC 2-1 BRFC