November started brilliantly with Amr Zaki and Emile Heskey helping Wigan beat Portsmouth 2-1 at Fratton Park, Stoke City then frustrated Latics by holding Bruce's men to a 0-0 draw at the JJB in a game which didn't really give either sets of fans something to shout about with Wigan unable to break through the determined Stoke defence. Wigan then travelled down to the Emirates to face a very inexperienced Arsenal side in the League Cup and were taught a footballing lesson, the 3-0 scoreline didn't flatter the hosts as they totally dominated the game from start to finish.
Another away game followed and the 2-2 draw at St James Park was well earned but it could have been all 3 points after Emmerson Boyce was controversially sent off whilst the club was winning 1-0. Tutus Bramble haunted Newcastle by grabbing a last gasp equaliser. Sitting in the relegation zone on Monday night, Wigan beat Everton 1-0 thanks to Henri Camara to lift the club up to midtable. Back-to-back were secured but this time, West Brom deserved all three points against an under par Wigan who somehow stole 3 points with another last gasp goal but this time it was Emmerson Boyce with the goal.
December
Wigan travelled back down to the Emirates to play Arsenal but this time in the Premier League. A battling performance saw the club lose 1-0 to an Emmanuel Adebayor goal. The side were unlucky not to steal a point but the Gunners stole the points with their early goal. Paul Ince and his Blackburn side made the trip to the JJB next and were destroyed by a rampaging Latics. Wigan were 2-0 up within 20 minutes as Emile Heskey and Antonio Valencia scored early goals to knock the wind out of Rovers sails. Lee Cattermole added the third on what could have been 4-5 goals scored.
After a long break, Latics were back in action against Newcastle on Boxing day for the second season running and, once again, Ryan Taylor scored the opening goal with a stunning free kick to send the fans into raptures. Amr Zaki added a 2nd from the spot before Newcastle pulled one back and very nearly stole a point but it was not to be. To finish off the year, Wigan travelled to their rivals Bolton and earned a hard fought 3 points. 3,000 Wigan fans made the trip and outsung the Bolton fans for most of the game. Amr Zaki scored a penalty and, what turned out to be, his last goal for the club to give the club the 3 vital points.
January
A brief spell in the FA cup was ended by Tottenham at White Hart Lane with a 3-1 defeat. Waiting for Wigan in the next game in fact was Tottenham and revenge was gained with a last minute winner thanks to a Maynor Figueroa header. Two trips to Manchester in a week came up next and two defeats. A 1-0 loss at Old Trafford was disappointing as Wigan could very easily of won, followed by another 1-0 defeat, this time against Manchester City with Amr Zaki having the miss of the season.
A huge gap had to be plugged before the next game against Liverpool and this saw the sad departure of Wilson Palacios to Tottenham for £14m. Palacios did not want to go but the bid was accepted and in the end agreed a huge contract and his brief spell at Wigan was over. Emile Heskey also left the club to sign for Aston Villa in a £3.5m deal. Mido arrived on a season long loan from Middlesbrough to give the club the option of an all Egyptian front three. Liverpool then visited the JJB and lost ground on Manchester United. a 1-1 draw was upsetting for the travelling support but fantastic for the home supporters. New boy Mido scored a late penalty after Jason Koumas was brought down by Lucas Leiva.
To round off the month, Wigan played Aston Villa at Villa Park and defended for their lives. The 0-0 draw against the Champions League hopefuls was a great result after the barrage that the Brummies had offered.
WE'RE NOW ON TWITTER - FOLLOW US - CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE FOR THE MESSAGEBOARD