QPR v Wigan - Premier League Preview

The Latics head down to Loftus Road on Sunday afternoon in what is a crucial encounter that could see them cut their hosts adrift in the fight for survival. 

After securing crucial back to back home league wins the Latics now face three trips on the road in the league that will go a long way in deciding their fate.  

Roberto Martinez’s men will be confident of continuing their impressive recent run away from the DW, which has seen them defeated only once in nine, since their Boxing Day defeat at Everton.

 

Callum McMannaman

 

Sunday’s clash presents the perfect opportunity for the Latics to kill off the QPR revival. Harry Redknapp’s fell to their second defeat in a row on Monday evening against Fulham, where they paid the ultimate price for a catastrophic first half display.  

Saturday’s results have seen the Latics return to the drop zone but are only one point adrift of Sunderland.  

Unlike previous seasons the Latics know that if they do their own job they will secure top flight football for a ninth consecutive season. Their recent form has seen a number of clubs above them being dragged into the dog fight and unlike many the Latics are seasoned relegation fighters.  

Places in the starting XI for next week’s cup semi final against Millwall are up for grabs and Martinez will be looking to use this as motivation on Sunday: “We know that playing at Wembley is a unique experience, but we see that as something to enjoy and look forward while understanding the real importance is the league.” 

“Both competitions go hand in hand, and success in one helps to bring success in the other. The competition for places is as strong as it’s ever been. That brings confidence and a real desire for every game you play.”

Ivorian international Arouna Kone has impressed hugely following his stint at the African Cup of Nations, and has netted four in last four games including the crucial late winners against Newcastle and Norwich. 

 

Arouna Kone

Kone looks to be the key man in the run in and will once again lead the line as Martinez looks set to stick with the same XI for the fourth consecutive game.  

The form of Antolin Alcaraz has been a huge bonus for Martinez, since his return from a long lay off the Paraguayan international has provided crucial security at the heart of the defence alongside Paul Scharner. The performances of on loan keeper Joel Robles has come as a breath of fresh air for the Latics as he has repaid the faith shown in by Martinez.

With Wembley on the horizon fans will be looking to enjoy their weekend in the spotlight, without worrying too much about matters in the league. Martinez has targeted ten points from his side’s final eight matches and three points at Loftus Road would once again ease the pressure on the Latics and turn up the heat on their rivals. 

Latics v Norwich City - Premier League

LaticsInANutshell is back and returns previewing the visit of Norwich City, in what is a must win game for the Latics as they prepare for another fight to stay amongst the elite. 

Arouna Kone’s dramatic late winner against Newcastle before the international break, fired Roberto Martinez's men latest great escape act into action.

 

Arouna Kone

 

Martinez will be looking for his side to carry through the momentum that they have gathered over the last few weeks, and will be hopeful of naming the same XI for a third consecutive game. 

Callum McMannaman and Antolin Alcaraz are both being monitored ahead of the visit of the Canaries, who themselves could well be dragged into the relegation scrap with defeat on Saturday. On loan keeper Joel Robles looks to have won the battle for the number 1 spot for the time being, and Martinez will be looking to stick with a settled side during the run in. 

Despite having never beaten their visitors in the league the Latics will be confident of securing the victory that would see them move out of drop zone until Sunday at least.  

It is a crucial phase of the season for the Latics, with a clash with fellow relegation strugglers QPR next in the league followed by the FA Cup semi-final with Millwall. Martinez’s men will be seeking a first clean sheet on home soil this season, and will be looking to improve on a record of 13 points from the DW (the joint worst in the league with QPR).   

 

Antolin Alcaraz

But it will be tough against a Norwich side who still need the points to guarantee another season in the top flight who are currently in 12^th  in the table, and were impressive in their draw away to Sunderland despite playing with ten men for long periods. 

Since his return from the African Cup of Nations striker Kone has been in sensational form and the Latics will be once again looking to him to lead the line.  

Over recent weeks there has been a confidence about the Latics that has seen an upturn in fortunes and I believe they will have enough to overcome Norwich and really drag the Canaries and others around them into the dogfight which will take centre stage at the business end of the season. 

Latics 0-0 Bradford City AET – Bradford win 4-2 on penalties – Latics Suffer Penalty Misery

The Latics were made to pay for repeated miss chances, as they crashed out of the Capital One Cup on penalties to League Two side Bradford City on Tuesday night.

After a goalless 120 minutes, Shaun Maloney fired over from the spot, and Jordi Gomez’s tame effort was saved by Matt Duke, as the Bantams clinically disposed all four of their kicks from twelve yards.

It was a frustrating night for the Latics as the dominated much of the game but were unable to find any real penetration, at a rain swept DW stadium.

Jordi Gomez

Manager Roberto Martinez ran the changes with only Ivan Ramis (who captained the team) and Ali Al Habsi retaining their places after the weekend’s win against West Ham. Ben Watson played in an unfamiliar centre half role alongside Ramis, and Adrian Lopez.  

Ramis looked to have given the Latics the lead early into the game put his header was ruled out for offside from Gomez’s free kick.

Gomez was at the heart of everything that was good with the Latics play and went close on two separate occasions.

As the game wore on the Latics were unable to break down a stubborn visiting backline, with the midfield unable to stamp their usual authority on the game. As a result clear cut chances for both front men Mauro Boselli and Callum McManaman.

The Argentine ensured a frustration evening as he was unable to create anything of real note throughout.

Boosted by a 5,000 strong following Bradford carved out their only clear cut chance with 15 mins left of normal time when former West Ham player Zavon Hines broke free, only to be denied smartly by Al Habsi.  

Late on first team regular Jean Beasejour and Maloney brought about some much needed composure to the Latics forward play.

They should have sealed a place in the final eight deep into extra time when Gomez missed when he was through on goal with only Duke to beat.

Franco Di Santo

The miss summed up the evening for Martinez men who despite controlling the tie never looked as if they were going to actually win and the defeat will be hard to take for fans who saw the competition as a genuine chance of progress.

Elsewhere there was good news for Franco Di Santo who managed a surprise call up to Argentina’s friendly squad against Saudi Arabia in November, he will line up in a forward line boasting the likes of Carlos Tevez, Higuain and of course Lionel Messi.

Up next is a trip to Tottenham on Saturday and a start of a tough period, which includes Liverpool, Manchester City and inform West Brom. Martinez will look to pick his players up as they aim for all three points.

Latics v Bradford City - Captial One Cup Fourth Round Preview

Roberto Martinez is set to use Tuesday night’s cup tie as an opportunity to give his fringe players some valuable game time, as he sets sights on a place in the last eight of the competition.

League Two’s Bradford City are the opposition on what will be the first game under the floodlights of the DW stadium this season and they will be confident of causing an upset.


Mauro Boselli


The Latics are set to be without on loan Arsenal midfield Ryo Miyaichi who also missed the weekend’s victory against West Ham, the Japan international has been sidelined with a troubling groin injury for a few weeks now.

Definitely out are Antolin Alcaraz and Albert Crusat, with manager Martinez unable to provide an expected return date for both just yet.

The Latics will be without Scottish international midfielder James McArthur who picked up his fifth booking of the season late on during Saturday’s defeat of West Ham, with David Jones, Ben Watson and Jordi Gomez all battling for a start in his place.

Record signing Mauro Boselli is set to start and will be keen to impress once again, having netted three times in his two previous cup outings. Youngster Callum McMannaman is also set to feature after a number of promising substitute appearances this season.

The tie provides the Latics with a great opportunity to progress into the last eight of a major trophy and will have many dreaming of a cup run reminiscent of the 2005/06 season.

Jordi Gomez

Bradford City arrive in decent form, having exceeded pre season expectations to date, but manager Phil Parkinson is set to be without a number of key players. City midfielder Ricky Ravenhill will serve the first of his three-game ban after being dismissed for violent conduct in the 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion at the weekend, while Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver are also almost certain to miss out as well after picking up injuries at the Pirelli Stadium.

Gary Jones may not feature on Tuesday evening either after Parkinson acknowledged that the midfielder might not be ready for two games in four days, following his return to first team action, and Craig Forsyth will definitely miss out as the winger is cup-tied after already playing in the competition for Watford.

Martinez will be keen to see his side progress and crucially ensure that they can gather some real momentum, and move away from the danger zone in the league.

As with the earlier rounds, he will also want to see that the same hunger and desire from his fringe players, as he will be look to freshen up his first XI over the course of the winter period.

Nottingham Forest 1-4 Wigan – Latics Show Class to Progress

The Latics resisted a second half comeback from Nottingham Forest, to ease into the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Roberto Martinez’s men headed into the clash keen to avoid yet another upset, and despite deciding to field a number of fringe players, his side outclassed their Championship counterparts.

Argentinean international Mauro Boselli opened the scoring when he got on the end of a pin point delivery from Ronnie Stam.

The goal seemed to relax the Latics and they soon doubled the lead with a stunning 30 yard strike from Maynor Figueroa which stunned the Forest faithful into applause. The impressive Jordi Gomez got in on the act with a sublime right foot effort before the break, and ensured the Latics headed into the break with a three goal cushion.

Within seconds of the second half commencing Forest struck back with a wonder goal of their own, from Simon Cox which left Ali Al Habsi with no chance. 

Despite the dismissal of captain on the night Antolin Alcaraz, the Latics held firm and Callum McManaman wrapped up victory, after great link up play with debutant Ryo Miyaichi.

Having made several changes from Saturday’s victory against Southampton, Martinez will have been delighted with a performance that showed plenty of promise. With all of his first team strikers now having registered within the first three games the now faces a pleasant selection headache ahead of the Stoke clash.

At times Mauro Boselli’s movement was second to none, and despite not having the little bit of luck required early on, he made himself available to comfortably net his first goal of the season.

There is no doubt that anywhere around the box the Argentine is deadly and with so much midfield creativity now on hand, he could well make his second chance at the DW stadium count. 

For the first time in a long while the Latics can look forward to the third round draw, and will now prepare for the visit of Stoke City on Saturday. Martinez and co will be very confident of securing their first home victory of the new season at the second time of asking.

Latics Start Pre Season With A Win As Rodallega Seals Move To London

A Jordi Gomez penalty was enough to ensure that Roberto Martinez’s men got their pre season, off to a perfect start in Sweden. 

In what was a reduced game, lasting 70 minutes played on an artifical pitch, Martinez took the opportunity to give his whole squad some game time. 

Jordi Gomez

Gomez dispatched the penalty confidently, when Ben Watson was brought down, the result signalled a solid start to pre season for the Latics.  

Martinez will be pleased with his side as he looks to ensure they build up, in time for the visit of Champions League winners Chelsea on the opening weekend.

 
Elsewhere the hero of the 2010/11 great escape, Hugo Rodallega completed his free transfer to Fulham, after failing to agree a deal with the Latics.
 
He is set to earn a reported £70,000 a week from the move, although his departure leaves the Latics somewhat short upfront.

Mauro Boselli

Franco Di Santo looks set to lead the line once again, but it remains unclear if Martinez is going to look into the market for backup. Flop Mauro Boselli looks set to have at least pre season to impress, as he returns from a season long loan in Argentina.
 
Rumours are circulating that Irish striker Conor Sammon is set to join Championship side Derby County on loan. As for youngsters Callum McManaman, Nouha Dicko and Rakish Bingham, they are likely to provide cover to the first team, or be sent out on loan for first team action.