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It was January 15th and Wigan were playing the replay of an FA Cup tie following a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium. Then an 18th minute strike from Mauro Boselli made him an immortal hero as he sent Wigan into the fourth round of the FA Cup. That goal changed our entire season last year, with out that goal we may not be where we are now.
Spooky? Weird to think that had our biggest transfer flop not scored that goal, then maybe we wouldn't have won the FA Cup and then maybe we wouldn't be starting life in the championship and the refacing Bournemouth in a league match.
As it is the footballing gods have us now looking at a minimum of 55 games this season, and our third is a tough away match against a very strong Bournemouth side. Under Eddie Howe they have become a real potent force and managed to secure a promotion spot. Had it not been for a last minute Doncaster goal at Brentford then they would have been League One champions.
As it is we face a side in a period of transition as they reach into the second tier of English football. Two back to back wins in the opening three days of the league season looked to have set the Cherries on blistering start as they reached the second round of the League Cup and become an opening day winner.
Last weekend though they were brought down to earth as a strong Watford side round rout and beat them 6-1. Its time to lick some wounds for Eddie Howe's team and maybe spring a surprise on the Community Shield runners up.
Wigan though will also be up for a game. After a mediocre performance against Manchester United the squad and Owen Coyle will want to bounce back; and do it with a win. A full strength Wigan side could prove some serious problems to Bournemouth and hopefully a side that is in full flow will be able to attribute some real damage and get Latics back to winning ways.
Owen Coyle was all for taking the positives from the game against Manchester United. The fact we kept the game at 2-0, and we created a few decent chances from our new look side are all good plus points. The fact that we were spectators for large parts, and didn't have a clear shot on target are likely to be swept under the carpet.
Needless to say and with no disrespect to Bournemouth they aren't a tough a test as David Moyes's United side. What they do give you is team that will put everything they have on the pitch in 90 minutes to try and win a game at their home ground.
Pie Eaters Prediction - 4-2 to Wigan