A Late Preview: Wigan Athletic vs Stoke City

This one is a bit late due to me being busy during the week and not getting time to sit down and right about the upcoming encounter. None the less it is probably going to be the most important match of our season to date, that is if Latics are to stay up in the Premier League.

Stoke City are far from the easiest of opponents to play when you need a win especially when you are looking for only your second home win of the season. While they will look to continue there good run of late after a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Britannia.

Its hard to think that Wigan are on a good run of form. Yet if you go back to the start of Febuaray. We have only lost one game in the last seven. Yet we have only one one. When you look at the two things it shows you just why we are were we are this season.

First and for mostly, we have looked allot sharper this season defensively and in the midfield, last year you would have said wobbly at the back and a weak midfield. Yet our defence as tightened up and our midfield has created more chance so far this season that in the past two. Showing the real emphasis on our need to score goals.

While mentioning goals, probably not the best time to say that we have only scored ten in the last eleven matches.

Oh well we move on. To play one of the Premier League's most controversial teams.

Not many people like Stoke City. From the first minute they were up, all anyone had to say about them was long ball and the Rory Delap throw in. Yet four years later they are still here and have now started to play a strong but open brand of football that I personally love to watch.

You could say I have a soft spot for the Potters.

One thing they aren't is soft and we will have to match them man for man if we want anything form the game. We managed to do it at the Britannia Stadium. Where we bossed the game for over half and ended up having to get a penalty to get a point from the game. Yet another disappointing day at the office.

But this time round it could all be different. Wigan could stand tall and rise above them. Play the football we love to play fast, open and always on the go. And look to open them up wide down the flanks. This could be our time to shine, but whenever you think that Wigan will lose miserably.

The good news though, is that both Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega will return to the team and are likely to jump straight back into the starting eleven. Moses's energy will defiantly be need to break open the rock back four of Stoke City.

Three points are needed this weekend. And if the lads can keep their heads, and the fans unite and sing the lads one. Then we could witness the survival of our great club once more.