WIGAN ATHLETIC make the 20-mile journey to Anfield, standing three places and three points above the bottom three, and in search of a first win in six Premiership outings to stay clear of danger. They need 10 points from the last four fixtures to be mathematically safe. Their failure to hold onto what they have this season was graphically illustrated by their performance at White Hart Lane last Sunday, when they shared six goals with Tottenham, having gained and lost the lead three times. The Latics have now dropped an unequalled 26 points from winning positions this season.
Paul Jewell's side, who are seeking a 25th victory all time in the Premier League, have never taken points off the top four clubs. Since promotion in 2005, Athletic have played a total of 15 matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool and lost the lot.
The Latics have played Liverpool five times and have lost them all - three in the League, and a two-legged League Cup tie.
Liverpool v Wigan Athletic
Saturday 21st April
Kick Off: 15:00
Anfield
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
We've taken a trip to www.wiganer.net to find out the perspective of the Wigan Athletic fans before the game. Thanks to the guys and gal who took the time out to answer the questions.Club HonoursNorthern Premier League Champions: 1970-1971, 1974-1975
Northern Premier League Cup Winners: 1971-1972
Northern Premier Shield Winners: 1972-1973, 1973-1974, 1975-1976
Cheshire League Champions: 1933-1934, 1934-1935, 1935-1936, 1964-1965
Lancashire Combination Champions: 1947-1948, 1950-1951, 1952-1953, 1953-1954
Election to Football League: 1978
Promoted to Third Division (old): 1981-1982
Football Association Cup best: Round 6, 1986-1987
Football League Cup best: Final 1996
Freight Rover Trophy Winners (now AutoWind Shield): 1984-1985
Third Division Champions: 1996-1997
AutoWindshield Winners: 1999
Second Division Champions: 2002-2003
Championship Runners Up: 2004-2005
Promotion to Premier League: 2005
Spyin’ Kop: How has your season been shaping up?Tommy_wafc: Bad start, improved as players gelled, then had about 10 out injured and turned crap. Players came back, we improved, and then refs intervened and lost us 7 points due to mistakes. Currently in a relegation fight.
Wigdean: Not entirely as expected but I wouldn't say I'm surprised by it. It was always going to be harder than last season. I think we'll be safe though.
Henri_latics7: We're at the wrong end of the table. We had some injuries to key players which sent us spiralling down the league.
GillB: Not too good really... crap in fact.
Spyin’ Kop: What were your expectations of this season after last year’s successful campaign?Tommy_wafc: Much the same as last season.
Wigdean: Personally, I thought we'd do a little better than we have, especially when you look at the players we brought in compared to last season.
Henri_latics7: We knew it would be tough. We had several new players that have taken time to settle in. We should survive though.
GillB: I hoped they would be able to get a place within the top ten in the Premiership and at the very least stay up... doesn’t really look like that’s gonna happen now!
Spyin’ Kop: What do you think of Paul Jewell’s buys in the transfer window? Aghahowa as good as he is on Football Manager?Tommy_wafc: Aghahowa hasn't settled yet. He came from a country which was in its winter break so he’s behind with fitness. He’ll hopefully get a chance soon.
Wigdean: Liverpool fans have probably seen as much of Granqvist, Haestad and Aghahowa as we have. They are turning out to be pretty pointless signings. Unsworth is decent backup for Baines though and Folan looks a real bargain
Henri_latics7: Aghahowa will be a good buy. He's still finding his feet and fitness. Will be key next season. Unsworth’s been good cover, and Folan’s been a real bargain.
GillB: I don’t think he's made the best choices to be honest!
Spyin’ Kop: Emile Heskey- Good target man, useless donkey or somewhere in between?Tommy_wafc: Been superb, revitalised since his move, back to his days at Leicester- much better then he was at Liverpool.
Wigdean: One of our best this season. Can't fault the effort he puts in and if our midfield hadn't gone AWOL during the winter months I think he'd have scored a few more too.
Henri_latics7: Heskey's been good for us. He works his socks off, but as a striker, he's still been disappointing in his goal return. With Camara being injured for a long while, we needed Heskey to pop up with a few more goals than he has.
GillB: Somewhere in between!
Spyin’ Kop: Who has been your player of the season? Is he worth a bid from Liverpool?Tommy_wafc: Boyce/Baines. Don't even bother bidding!
Wigdean: Boyce or Baines. You don't need Boyce and Baines is a blue!
Henri_latics7: Emmerson Boyce for me. Made a slow start to his Wigan career, but got to grips with the right back slot. Since he's been moved to centre half, he's been a revelation. Pity he's injured.
GillB: Boyce.. but no not worth a bid.
Spyin’ Kop: Who is your worst player of the season and why?Tommy_wafc: Hall. Waste of 3m, liability as he makes too many mistakes.
Wigdean: Can't decide between Kevin Kilbane and Fitz Hall. How either of them actually get paid for playing football I will never know.
Henri_latics7: We spent a lot of time and effort to sign Andy Webster, but he was never interested or fit. Since, he's gone out on loan to Rangers, and was injured in his second training session. Glad to see the back of him. Kevin Kilbane's been disappointing.
GillB: Fitz Hall... because he's absolutely useless.. I can play better than him.
Spyin’ Kop: Do you think you’re going to survive this season? If not, will Jewell stay on?Tommy_wafc: He's destined for a top job. Anyway, I want to think positive and we have enough quality to stay up. We just need to put some good performances in till the end of the season.
Wigdean: I think we will stay up. However, if we did go down then I think Jewell would be off. Whelan wouldn't sack him, it'd be down to Jewell himself. It wouldn't be the end of the world if he left us.
Henri_latics7: We will survive. As for Jewell staying, I think he will stay even if we go down. He has a good relationship with the chairman, and not many managers can say that.
GillB: hmmmm... it'll be close if we do but Jewell will stay on
Spyin’ Kop: Take 3 of our players. Who would you choose?Tommy_wafc: Gerrard, Agger, Kuyt
Wigdean: Gerrard, Kuyt and Sissoko. We'd get the goal scorer we need and the bite our midfield is missing.
Henri_latics7: John Arne Riise, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt
GillB: Gerrard, Crouch, Bellamy.
Spyin’ Kop: What sort of line-up will you put out against us?Tommy_wafc: Are you the manager wanting team tips already?
Wigdean: We actually have a decent sized squad to pick from for the first time in ages, so it's anyone’s guess.
Henri_latics7: Hopefully we'll have a fully fit squad to choose from. We should go 442, but if we're safe, we may give some fringe players a run out.
Spyin’ Kop: Been to the JJB a couple of times, and it’s been quite quiet- any new chants to air at Anfield?Tommy_wafc: “We've won it two times”.
Wigdean: Our away fans are a lot better than the home fans. I'm sure you'll hear a few original chants.
Henri_latics7: We're much more vocal away from home. “We won it 2 times, Auto windscreens, we won it 2 times” will be sung, and if we're winning or drawing towards the end, “lets hang on to what we've got” will get an airing.
GillB: “There’s only one Emile Heskey, there’s only one Emile Heskey, he used to be
shite but now he's alright.. walking in a Heskey wonderland”. We're keeping
the rest as a surprise.
Spyin’ Kop: With your brand spanking new stadium, what do you think about Liverpool’s decision to build our own new venue?Tommy_wafc: It should have blue seats and cushioned seating.
Wigdean: Providing you can fill it, then it's a good decision. Building for the future and all that.
Henri_latics7: Anfield has got a lot of tradition and history, but Springfield Park to Wigan Athletic fans meant as much as Anfield does to Liverpool fans. A new stadium is good and I'm sure yours will be. Old Trafford may be the biggest domestic stadium, but in my opinion, stadia like the Emirates are better. Wembley was re-built. Times move on.
GillB: Pretty good because your stadium isn’t nice but still a waste of money.
Spyin’ Kop: Any youth team prospects we should be looking out for?Wigdean: We've just recently given contracts to three players – Moore, a right back, Saunders, a goalkeeper and Montrose, a midfielder. Hopefully they can push on and stake a claim. Cywka, our young Polish midfielder, is also a bright prospect.
Henri_latics7: We have 2 young Polish lads that hopefully will blossom for us. Again, if we're safe, they may get a run out.
GillB: Not too sure
Spyin’ Kop: What’s your score prediction?Tommy_wafc: Liverpool 2 - 0 Wigan
Wigdean: I don't do predictions!
Henri_latics7: I'll go for a hopeful 1-1 draw
GillB: 3-1 to Liverpool
Spyin’ Kop: Last of all, and most importantly, what’s your favourite pie?Tommy_wafc: Meat'n'tater
Wigdean: Meat and potato. On a barm.
Henri_latics7: Meat and Potato
GillB: Meat and potato.
