Match Preview: Wigan Athletic vs Middlesbrough FC

The sad thing about today is that it isn't the great coming together it could have been. I almost get the sense that today could force everything further apart, of course a good performance and three points could change all of that drastically. The turn out today will be interesting to say the least, will fans not be going to the game?

Well Middlesborough are bringing five thousand with them today, so our boys are going to need some backing. Hoping there will be enough of us there to do just that.

For Wigan this game is pretty much going into the unknown. We have no idea what the line up will be and we have no idea what the tactical lay out of the team will be. What I do know though is that we have every single member of our squad fit and ready to go. Does that mean the return of Ben Watson and Chris McCann? I wouldn't count my chickens just yet, but they can't be far off.

Hopefully the return of Emerson Boyce and Ivan Ramis in defence will sure things up and give us that solid back-line that we missed in our last outing against Bolton. Interesting as well to see if the new gaffer will play both James McClean and Callum McManaman in the same team, really give Middlesborugh defence something to worry about.

The north east team, who have had a five year exile from the top table, are fighting to get back to the Premier League. Under Aitor Karanka they have become a very formidable side and have get themselves into the top three at this point in the season.

Helped with the tightest defence in the Championship, this isn't going to be a team which we can break down easily. They have a decent goal scoring tally too, midfielder Grant Leadbitter leading the way with nine goals this season. So well drilled in defence and scoring goals the other end, of dear this is going to be a tough one.

That is the thing Iove about football though, even the tough ones are winnable. Whether or not you agree with what is going on at the club, still support the lads and what Wigan Athletic means. We know what this club is about, we are a family a community club. Don't let other people tell you who and what we are.

We are Wigan! Believe!