Wigan 3-2 Wolves - Boyce Double Rounds Off Memorable Season

A memorable double from club legend Emmerson Boyce ensured the Latics signed off the season in great style, in front a full house on Sunday afternoon.

The result sees Roberto Martinez’s men finish off in 15^th place, after an incredible run, saw them pick up seven wins from their final nine games.

Franco Di Santo & Hugo Rodallega

Already relegated Wolves looked to dampen the party atmosphere when they took the lead through winger Matt Jarvis, whose terrific effort left Ali Al Habsi with no chance, after only nine minutes.

The Latics were not behind for long and soon levelled up, when Argentine striker Franco Di Santo’s deflected left the visiting keeper flat footed. Moments later Boyce’s fine header put the home side ahead, from a Jean Beasejour corner.

Boyce sealed the points late into the second half, with a stunning strike after great link up play with Hugo Rodallega, who is set to leave the club.

Dave Whelan & Ali Al Habsi

Steven Fletcher’s late goal took some of the gloss off the day, after a defensive mix up, again gave Al Habsi no chance.

The game had very much a feel of an end of season affair, but few inside the DW would complain; only eight weeks ago the club looked doomed and set for a return to the football league.

The day was very much about the fans and a full house ensured a great atmosphere and Martinez made only one change. Adrian Lopez was given a rare outing alongside player of the season Gary Caldwell, and despite his late error looked assured.

To have finished five points ahead of Aston Villa, a founding member of the Premier League is an incredible achievement, and shows that Martinez was right to stick with the Latics.

The Players Celebrate 

As always, there is sure to be much change over the course of the summer period, with Rodallega, Chris Kirkland, Steve Gohouri and Mohammed Diame all confirmed as being released.

There is also plenty of interest around other members of the squad as well as the staff, with Aston Villa confirming their interest once again in Martinez this evening.

Regardless of what happens over the next couple of months, the Latics will be taking part in their eighth consecutive season in the top flight and the future is looking very, very good. 

Wigan v Wolves - Preview

The Latics take on relegated Wolves in their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon, in what is sure to be a day of celebration for all involved.

Antolin Alcaraz’s late header on Monday night secured survival for the Latics, for what will now be an eighth consecutive season.

Hugo Rodallega

Their latest escape is perhaps the most remarkable of them all, only eight weeks ago the team were rock bottom, and faced a daunting run in.

They have picked up an incredible 18 points from their last 8 games, which has seen Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal beaten.

As for the visitors thirteen games ago they were five points clear of Roberto Martinez men and were out of the danger zone. Unlike Dave Whelan the board at Wolves hit the panic button and their drop since Mick McCarthy’s sacking has been alarming.

The Latics will be going out into what will be terrific atmosphere on Sunday afternoon, and will be confident that they can secure yet another victory and finish above Aston Villa.

Wigan have won four of their last six games against the visitors, but will be after revenge following their defeat, in the reverse fixture in back in November.

Roberto Martinez & Dave Whelan

Martinez has a near fully fit squad to choose from, with midfielder David Jones the only doubt. Last season’s hero Hugo Rodallega confirmed this week that he will be leaving the club after four seasons, and will be given a chance to say goodbye to the fans on Sunday.

Consistency in selection over recent weeks has been critical in this incredible run, and Martinez is expected to stick with the same XI, who took to the field at Ewood Park on Monday.

Going forward Captain Gary Caldwell has called for the club to never be in a similar position again, and become a major force in the league.

If they are to do this a lot will depend on how the club act in the market, currently there are a number of players that are catching the eye of other teams.

Martinez needs to be ruthless and clear out the deadwood in the squad, and build up genuine strength in depth.

Anyway these are matters that can be dealt with during the summer and Sunday’s game will be all about celebration.

A few weeks ago not many would have imagined that nothing would be riding on this game.

This side has demonstrated over recent weeks, that if you stick to your principles and play football you can achieve.

Importantly this a chance for the fans to celebrate and thank the players,  fans and players alike have shown in this run in that there is no such thing as a lost cause, enjoy!

Wigan v Newcastle - Preview

The Latics head into their penultimate home game of the season against Newcastle United, on Saturday in search of their third consecutive home victory, which would see them move clear of the drop zone.

Roberto Martinez will be keen to ensure that his side recover from last weekends last gasp defeat at Fulham, and he will be encouraged that his side have their destiny in their own hands.

Hugo Rodallega

That was unthinkable only 6 weeks ago, but an impressive run that has seen the Latics overcome Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal to give them a real chance of survival.

With winnable games against Blackburn and Wolves in their final two clashes, anything that they get from Saturday’s encounter with the inform Geordies would be a bonus.

Martinez will be able to call upon last season’s great escape hero Hugo Rodallega, who looks set to feature from the bench after 7 weeks out. Franco Di Santo is struggling following the knock he picked up at Fulham, which could see Conor Sammon start.  

Maynor Figueroa

The solid backline that has only conceded 12 goals in the last dozen games will be in for a tricky afternoon against the inform Newcastle front men. Papiss Cisse has scored in 6 consecutive games and will be keen to ensure his side remain on track to play Champions League football next season.

Once again this is the biggest game if the season for all concerned with the club, and they will be keen to ensure that they can but some light between themselves and the bottom three and bring an end to Newcastle’s impressive run. 

Fulham v Wigan - Preview

The Latics head to the capital for the second time this week in search of their third consecutive victory, in their latest great escape act.

Following their memorable victory at the Emirates on Monday evening, Roberto Martinez’s men find themselves five points clear of the drop, with just four games left to play.

Hugo Rodallega

If the excellent run of form is to continue, they will need to end a terrible run of results against Fulham. Wigan have failed to win in any of the last ten encounters against the Londoners, and have only beaten then twice in their top flight history.

Martinez will be confident his side can once again overcome the odds, and he welcomes back striker Hugo Rodallega to his match squad, for the first time in six weeks. Shaun Maloney who missed the Monday night’s clash at the Emirates, faces a late fitness test, and Spaniard Albert Crusat is definitely sidelined.

As for the hosts, their forward line options have been bolstered with the return of former England international Andy Johnson and Russian hotshot Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Heading into their penultimate away trip of the season the Latics can be confident of avoiding the drop, and continuing their impressive run.

Having kept faith in his side and his playing style, Martinez must be delighted with his side.  Despite the run fans can be rest assured that his side remain focussed for the remainder of the run in.

The mentality he has instilled in his side has been at the forefront of their incredible recent run of results. The emergence of the likes of Victor Moses and Shaun Maloney has added a much needed spark to the forward line.

Emmerson Boyce

His decision to play with three at the back has proved to a masterstroke, with Gary Caldwell leading from the back.

Unlike seasons before the Latics are in the position now of having their destiny in their own hands, two wins from their final four games will see them hit the magic forty point mark. Everyone at the club will been keen to ensure that survival can be secured as soon as possible, starting with three points on Saturday.

Latics Look To End London Hoodoo

Roberto Martinez takes his side to Arsenal on Monday evening, in the first of two trips to the capital this week, as they go in search of their first points from the principal since August 2010.

In doing so, they have to overcome an inform Arsenal who after a torrid start to the season, are finishing strong and are well on course for a Champions League spot.

Victor Moses

Wigan have never won on the road to Arsene Wenger’s men, since their arrival into the top flight. Their famous comeback victory in April 2010 is their only victory in thirteen previous attempts, but lately the Latics have made a habit of ending records.

Confidence is high amongst the squad at present, but Martinez is keen to see his side retain their focus ahead of the run in. Speaking to the press following their historical victory against Manchester United, on Wednesday evening, he called for calm: “It would be foolish to think we are out of the bottom three and we will stay there.”

The Spaniard will be keen to ensure that his side continue with their impressive run of form which has seen them win, three out of their last four games, and have only lost twice in their last ten.

Despite being the lowest scores in the top flight, the recent form of the supporting front men, Victor Moses and Shaun Maloney, has played a huge part in their splendid run of results.

The Latics have indeed won more on the road this season, with four victory’s coming away from the DW, but if they can get anything from tomorrow’s encounter they will surely see it as a bonus.

The final four games will be seen by many as the crucial stretch of games, a run in that sees them travel to fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers and ends with a home clash against basement side Wolves.

Martinez believes that the battle to avoid the drop will, once again, come down to the final game of the season: “I think it will go down to the last game of the season because the fixture list has been a bit peculiar.”

Fans will hope that this is not the case, and will be confident that experience of survival from seasons past, will serve their side well, in the final month of the club’s seventh season in the top flight.

Ahead of the clash, Martinez is likely to stick with the same XI for the sixth consecutive match with front man Hugo Rodallega likely to be involved from the bench, following his return to training.

Franco Di Santo

Results elsewhere over the weekend have been encouraging with QPR losing at West Brom, and Blackburn suffering a crushing defeat to Swansea.

As was the case on Wednesday this game will be seen by Wigan as a bonus, if they continue with their impressive run of results, and with a bit more luck from the officials, they may well return to the North West with something. 

Latics Prepare For Visit of Champions

Wigan take on Manchester United on Wednesday night looking to pick up their first points against the champions in their top flight history.

Going into Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge, the Latics had just lost once in eight matches, and despite the controversial defeat, they will be confident of picking up something on Wednesday evening.

Gary Caldwell 

Defeats for Bolton and Blackburn over the last couple of days mean that they are still within touching distance of survival and they will look to take advatage at the DW. 

They head into the clash at the DW Stadium looking to finally end their run of 14 consecutive defeats against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

Speaking ahead of the clash Roberto Martinez believes his side are in the right frame of mind ahead of the game. “Against Manchester United you have to be perfect and we know now we can be perfect against these sides.”

“We are now facing the champions and the team most in form in the league. It is a great football occasion for us, and that is why we want to be in this league.”

Last season’s hero Hugo Rodallega is again likely to miss out tomorrow and, Martinez is likely to stick with the same XI that has done well over recent weeks.

Emerson Boyce 

Bringing a halt to the horrendous run against Manchester United would be huge for the Latics survival chances and anything they can get from the Champions Elect will be massive. The run in includes clashes against Blackburn and Wolves as well as trips to Arsenal and Fulham.

Despite not scoring against United in nearly 3 years, fans and players alike, can be very confident of pulling off a victory and re-ignite the push for survival and once thing for certain is that the DW will be rocking come kick off.