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Premier League Preview: Wigan Athletic - Sunderland
Latics seeking positive reaction to Spurs thrashing.
Nov 27, 2009 8:59:12 AM
Saturday, November 28 2009 Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
DW Stadium, Wigan
Martinez losing grip on Latics?
This could be a crucial game for Roberto Martinez. His Wigan Athletic team have been beset by inconsistency this season, but the abject manner of their 9-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last week indicated there was something rotten at their heart as well.
Teams with a collective spirit and togetherness do not get beaten 9-1. It is difficult to imagine Everton for example, despite their current problems, capitulating so spectacularly, or even Portsmouth. There is clearly a fragility running though the heart of Martinez's team that he must act quickly to remove.
Whether the issue is one of personnel is difficult to tell at this stage, but there must be big question-marks about the attitude and commitment of many of his players, despite their somewhat empty PR gesture of refunding traveling fans.
Martinez has two options: wholesale changes in the hope that the infection can be purged, or trust his players to show the professionalism to bounce back quickly. Whichever he opts for, this game could be the stiffest test of his coaching credentials he's yet faced as a manager.
Bruce keeps Black Cats grinning...
Martinez's predecessor at the DW stadium was, of course, Steve Bruce, now enjoying a solid time of things at Sunderland. Bruce was actually blamed, indirectly, by Latics chairman Dave Whelan for the debacle at Spurs, because his defensive signings had not been of a high-enough quality.
Bruce brushed off those comments in typical style, and Whelan would perhaps do well to remember that the Geordie took the Latics to the top half of the Premier League with largely the same defenders. Perhaps it was just a clumsy attempt at 'mind games' from Whelan, but he is playing a dangerous game.
The Black Cats beat Arsenal last time out and have also beaten Liverpool this season. Wigan have also done well against 'big four' sides, but Bruce's team retain their shape and hunger against lesser sides as well, and possess a genuinely potent strikeforce. Their manager is building a side in his own image: rugged, tough to beat and with a genuine cutting edge of quality.
Away form has not been that great though so far this campaign. Bruce will doubtless have told his men that this is as good a time as any to start putting that right.
FORM GUIDE
Wigan Athletic
22.11.09 Tottenham Hotspur 9-1 Wigan Premier League
08.11.09 Wigan 1-1 Fulham Premier League
31.10.09 Portsmouth 4-0 Wigan Premier League
24.10.09 Burnley 1-3 Wigan Premier League
18.10.09 Wigan 1-1 Manchester City Premier League
Sunderland
21.11.09 Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal Premier League
07.11.09 Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Sunderland Premier League
31.10.09 Sunderland 2-2 West Ham United Premier League
27.10.09 Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa League Cup (Villa won 3-1 pens)
24.10.09 Birmingham 2-1 Sunderland League Cup
TEAM NEWS
Wigan Athletic
Maynor Figueroa could make a return at left-back. The Honduran is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury. There are no suspensions or further injuries for Martinez to deal with.
Last Line-Up (versus Tottenham)
Kirkland, Edman, Scharner, Boyce, Bramble, Melchiot (Cho 85), Thomas (Gomez 67), N'Zogbia, Diame, Scotland, Rodallega.
Subs not used: Pollitt, Figueroa, Koumas, Sinclair, Kapo
Sunderland
Darren Bent has a fighting chance of being available after suffering a hamstring strain in the victory over Arsenal. Michael Turner is available after suspension again, though Bruce may opt for the pairing of John Mensah and Paulo Da Silva again. Craig Gordon (arm) and Lee Cattermole (knee) are long-term absentees.
Last Line-Up (versus Arsenal)
Fulop, Bardsley, Da Silva, Mensah (Ferdinand 82), McCartney, Malbranque (Campbell 66), Cana, Richardson, Henderson, Reid (Zenden 78), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Carson, Nosworthy, Murphy, Healy.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wigan Athletic
How Chris Kirkland reacts to having played quite well last week while still having nine stuck past him will be interesting. Although the rout was largely the fault of those in front of him, picking the ball out the net eight times in the second half at White Hart Lane is bound to have had some effect. He must put it behind him, and provide some leadership for what could be a shaky back-four.
Sunderland
Lorik Cana has proved to be a superb acquisition by Steve Bruce. A dominant presence in the middle of the park, Cana provides leadership and organization in an area that looks a little light for the Black Cats with Lee Cattermole out. Expect him to set the tempo.
PREDICTION
Steve Bruce should have a smile of quiet satisfaction on his face come the final whistle. The Mackems will pile more misery on Martinez, though the Latics will battle hard.
Wigan Athletic 1-2 Sunderland
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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