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After last weeks performance against Liverpool, the lads will need to step up this weekend and put in a match wining performance against a Reading side that have struggled at the start of this season. It makes our situation look a lot better when you consider they only won their first game of the season last weekend against Everton.
The performance that the royals put in, is the kind that we Latics fans like to see and expect to see. Hard working, determined and motivated to win the game. With home advantage we need to force the issue this weekend, the DW Stadium needs to be made into a fortress, something we have yet to do.
But first to our side, which is starting to limp as a unit, now with four players ruled out indefinitely. James McArthur, Albert Crusat, Antolin Alcaraz and Ben Watson all out. There is some good news with Ryo Miyaichi returning this weekend at 100%. He was still missing that extra match fitness last weekend, but he is rearing to go, the winger has asked to be started this weekend and show us just what he can do.
It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to start the young winger. Bring one of our front three out and freshen up our attacking line, which at times this season has looked out of ideas. Keeping the players on their feet and freshening it up is something we don't always have the players to be able to do.
The midfield is where we can't afford to lose anyone else as we really are at the brink. Frazer Fyvie will be on the bench for this weekends game, and could even feature for a period of the game as Roberto Martinez has to push forward the young Scots development. Lets hope Frazer can step up and show us what all the hype was about.
Reading will have a full strength side, which will include a well known Latics favorite. Jason Roberts signed in January last season for Reading aiming to so the same job he is for Latics all those years ago. Albeit a bit of his pace has gone, the man can still our muacle any defenders that want the ball.
Yet Reading have other players who can pose a threat to our team. The man for me, that Wigan will have to watch, is winger Jobi McAnuff. The player has been one of the best outside the Premier League, and now is putting his match winning performances into helping Reading stay in the Premier League. Creative and technically gifted he is the kind of player that can and will cause Wigan a problem.
Reading play a traditional 4-4-2 formation and this could be where we gain an advantage on the game. Although going forward they could out number our defenders we would win the midfield battle with Shaun Maloney dropping deeper to aid James McCarthy and David Jones. Our midfield will need to put in a good performance and hopefully injury free.
The game itself will be close as with all our games this season. Reading on the up after beating the high flying Everton last weekend, while we need to work hard and try to scrape out a result, as well as some form. Everyone will have to up for it and on top of their game.