Friday Fulham Stuff (28/10/11)...

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Don't look further than the draw when Wigan meet Fulham
All of the last five meetings between Wigan and Fulham at the DW Stadium have ended in a draw.

Wigan (19/10), draw (11/5), Fulham (29/20)

A draw and three defeats from their four away matches so far this season, with just a single goal scored during this run, suggests Fulham are the ideal opponents for Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday as the Latics seek to end a six-match losing run in the Premier League.

Historically poor away from home, Fulham have earned only one point from their four away games this season and have scored just a single goal.

Meanwhile, Wigan put in an improved performance against Newcastle last weekend following a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Bolton in their most recent fixture at the DW Stadium.

Six of the last ten meetings between the two sides have ended in a draw, with all of the last five games played in Wigan ending this way.
And Latics boss Roberto Martinez believes his players have benefitted from the recent losses, particularly the one against the Trotters, as they are learning the importance of being patient.

A catalogue of individual errors has been Wigan's undoing in recent weeks, with Martinez ascribing these to an anxiety to get positive results.

The 1-0 defeat to Newcastle was an improvement in this area – Wigan defended stubbornly throughout only to be undone by a delightful effort from outside the penalty area by Yohan Cabaye.

This suggests they are close to recapturing the form they showed at the start of the season, when two clean sheets in the first three games helped them pick up five points.

With this in mind, the price of 19/10 on Wigan to beat Fulham looks good value in bwin's 3Way football betting market, with the Lilywhites looking short at 29/20 given their awful away record.

Those looking for a safer option should consider the odds of evens on a Wigan win in the 2Way special market, where the stake is returned if the game ends in a draw.

This offers punters a good way of doubling their money while minimising risk.

However, the best option looks to be the draw at 11/5 given these teams have proven difficult to separate in past encounters, particularly at the DW Stadium.

Bet on a draw at 11/5: Last five matches between Wigan and Fulham at the DW Stadium
Date   Result
15th January 2011   1-1
8th November 2009   1-1
7th February 2009   0-0
15th September 2007   1-1
17th March 2007   0-0
Six of the last ten meetings between the two sides have ended in a draw, with all of the last five games played in Wigan ending this way.

A successful £25 free bet on this run continuing and the match ending in a draw would return £80, with the free bet available to new customers who sign up for a bwin account.

Alternatively, a bet on the clash being a low-scoring encounter looks likely to pay off, with odds of 18/25 available on there being fewer than three goals in the match.

Nine of the last ten meetings between the sides have contained under 2.5 goals, including all of the last five at Wigan.

Finally, with the game likely to be a low-scoring draw, a 1-1 final result might also be worth a punt at 19/4.



http://bwinbetting.com/draw-wigan-meet-fulham,8626.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Mac calls for team spirit

JAMES McArthur has called on Wigan Athletic to recreate the 'Spirit of West Ham' as they aim to kickstart their season against Fulham tomorrow.

Even at this early stage of the campaign, the visit of the Cottagers is almost in the 'must-win' bracket, given Wigan's awful recent run and a horror December schedule that's just around the corner.

And McArthur reckons the clash is evoking memories of the dramatic win over West Ham at the end of last term, when Latics had to win, and duly recorded the three points that kept their season alive.

"It's a cup final for us, no doubt about that, and we need to go into the game thinking we have to win no matter what it takes," McArthur told the Evening Post.

"It'll be similar to West Ham last year in that respect. There's no margin for error and nothing less than a win will do.

"Look at the way we finished last season – that's what we need to do again.

"We desperately need to start picking up points, because we don't want to be stuck in a relegation battle from now until the end of the season.

"The fact of the matter is, looking at the table now, we're in one at the moment, and we will be until we start picking up points.

"We need to find whatever it takes to get the three points that will hopefully kick us off on a run – whatever it takes."

Latics will go into the clash boosted by their much-improved performance at Newcastle last Saturday, and also by Fulham's well-documented travel sickness.

The Cottagers are winless on the road this term, and picked up just four away wins during the previous two seasons.

"They're struggling too but they are a good side, we know that," McArthur added.

"Some of their performances this season have been very good, and they'll be coming in with exactly the same frame of mind.

"They try and get the ball down, as do we, which should make a good game.

"We just need to play exactly the way we played at Newcastle, with the same intensity, but take our chances this time.

"If we can do that, I'm sure we'll be fine.

"I thought we played really well, we created numerous chances and unfortunately for ourselves we couldn't take any of them.

"But that's the way it's going right now. Hopefully things will turn for us very soon."

McArthur made a late cameo at Newcastle last week and, although he couldn't inspire Latics to a late leveller, he's champing at the bit for another chance.

"I would like to have played more this season," he acknowledged.

"Everybody thinks being a footballer is an easy life, but it's not at all. It's hard not playing when you've trained hard all week, and I need to keep doing that and make it hard for the manager to leave me out."



http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-athletic/mac_calls_for_team_spirit_1_3915216

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan v FULHAM: Senderos to face fitness test with Hughes ruled out

Fulham defender Aaron Hughes will miss Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at Wigan.

The 31-year-old has been ruled out for a couple of weeks with a thigh injury picked up during last week's 3-1 defeat to Everton and will therefore miss the trip to the DW Stadium.


On the back foot: Senderos (right) is in a race against time to be fit

Fellow defender Philippe Senderos will have a thigh injury of his own assessed on Friday, while Orlando Sa (hamstring) and Simon Davies (knee) are out.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Etheridge, Kelly, Riise, Hangeland, Baird, Senderos, Grygera, Briggs, Sidwell, Kasami, Murphy, Gecov, Duff, Etuhu, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora, Dembele, Ruiz



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2054579/Wigan-v-FULHAM-Philippe-Senderos-face-fitness-test-Aaron-Hughes-ruled-out.html#ixzz1c4U2Or7s

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WIGAN v Fulham: Di Santo and McCarthy likely to return for struggling Latics

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is hopeful both leading scorer Franco Di Santo and midfielder James McCarthy will be able to play some part in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham at the DW Stadium.

Both players missed last week's 1-0 defeat by Newcastle with hamstring problems but have trained this week with the rest of the squad.


Leading the way: Di Santo (left) has netted three times this term

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is recovering from a back problem after returning early from a loan spell with Doncaster.

Provisional squad: Al Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, Moses, Gomez, McCarthy, Di Santo, Jones, Pollitt, Stam, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Lopez, Thomas, Sammon, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri, Rodallega, McCarthy.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2054584/WIGAN-v-Fulham-Franco-Di-Santo-James-McCarthy-likely-return-struggling-Latics.html#ixzz1c4UNXN5I

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Wigan Athletic - Fulham Preview: Martin Jol's men aiming for first away victory of the season in six-pointer at the DW Stadium
Both sides welcome back important figures as they prepare for massive game at the bottom of the Premier League table, having won just one league game each this season



PROBABLE LINE-UPS

WIGAN ATHLETIC
Al Habsi
Boyce, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa
Watson, McCarthy, Diame
Moses, Rodallega, Crusat

FULHAM
Schwarzer
Gyrgera, Hangeland, Baird, Riise
Dempsey, Sidwell, Murphy, Duff
Zamora, Johnson

Wigan have injury doubts over James McCarthy and Franco di Santo with hamstring injuries. The Irish midfielder hopes to be fit following the injury that ruled him out of the trip to Newcastle. Meanwhile, Albert Crusat made his first start for Wigan and he will be hoping to keep his place after a good performance.

Fulham look set to be without defender Philippe Senderos, who picked up a thigh injury in training on Thursday, while Simon Davies is still recovering from his knee injury and Aaron Hughes is struggling with a thigh injury.

But there is some good news for Martin Jol, as his summer signing Bryan Ruiz is available following his recent knee problem.


DID YOU KNOW?
Both sides have just one win all season, and both have come against QPR, with Wigan coming out victorious in August and

Fulham thumping six past Neil Warnock's men earlier this month.

Trips away from Craven Cottage have not been fruitful for Jol'd charges this season, as they have not won any of their four games away from home. They have only picked up one point on their travels, which was West Bromwich Albion.

The Latics are currently bottom of the form league, having lost their last six games in the Premier League and sliding down to 19th in the standings.

Roberto Martinez has seen his side score five goals at home this season. In contrast, Fulham have only managed one away goal all season.


Fulham have played more than double the amount of games that Wigan have so far this season. The Cottagers began their campaign at the end of June with a Europa League clash and Saturday's match will be their 22nd game so far. It will be Wigan's 10th of the campaign.

History shows that Fulham should be confident of avoiding defeat as Wigan have not beaten their opponents in the last nine

Premier League meetings between the two sides. But for their part, the Cottagers have never won at the DW in the top-flight.

Fulham's away goal scoring record is one of the worst in the division, they average just 0.25 goals per game, and they have failed to score in three quarters of their away trips.

The two sides have met 38 times in their history. Wigan have just 10 wins over the Cottagers, with the visitors coming out victorious 15 times and there have been 13 draws.

This will be the first time the two managers have come face-to-face in the dugouts. During Martin Jol's last spell in English football at Tottenham Hotspur, Roberto Martinez was still playing for Swansea and Chester before stepping into his first managerial role at the Liberty Stadium in February 2007.

Both sides much prefer to play sides higher up the division than sides around them, as they have only taken one point from two games against clubs around them in the bottom six this season.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/60263/wigan-athletic-vs-fulham/preview

[WhiteJC]

 
Odds On Murphy

FULHAM travel to Wigan on Saturday and our official on-line and in stadia betting partner, Bet Butler, are offering odds of 6/4 for Martin Jol's team to claim all three points.

Incredibly, there has been an amazing nine draws in previous 13 meetings between the two teams and another draw can be backed at 9/4.

Seven of the last 13 games between Fulham and Wigan have ended 1-1 score, which is available at 6/1. A 1-0 Fulham victory is rated at 9/1.

Again, Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson head the first goalscorer markets, but with a tight game expected Danny Murphy could be tempting at 16/1.

To open an account with Bet Butler please register at www.betbutler.co.uk and follow us on Twitter @thebetbutler for all the latest betting and Fulham news plus competitions to win signed shirts and match tickets.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/October/WiganOdds.aspx?#ixzz1c4VLftbc

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan    v    Fulham

By Martin Fisher
Match of the Day commentator

Barclays Premier League
Venue: DW Stadium Date: Saturday, 29 October Kick-off: 1500 BST Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

TEAM NEWS
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is confident that leading scorer Franco Di Santo and midfielder James McCarthy will be able to play against Fulham.

Both players missed last week's 1-0 defeat by Newcastle with hamstring problems but have since returned to training.

Fulham defender Aaron Hughes has been ruled out with a thigh injury.

Philippe Senderos is a doubt with a similar problem, while Orlando Sa and Simon Davies are sidelined.

MATCH PREVIEW
I must admit I've been a bit spoilt for goals on the TV gantry this season - 11 in the last week at Molineux amply demonstrates my point - but I fear this fixture will bring me crashing back down to earth.

You see, historically Wigan Athletic and Fulham just don't produce goals when they meet in the Premier League. The bare stats make grim reading, 18 goals between them in 12 games. That must be some kind of record?

Of course, records are there to be broken and quite frankly Wigan are in desperate need of a win. Six defeats in a row leaves them stuck in the relegation zone with only Blackburn below them. Roberto Martinez is never a man to panic but he needs some more points on the board, quickly. A goal or two from Hugo Rodallega wouldn't go amiss. Top scorer for the last two seasons, the Colombian international is yet to find the net in this campaign.

It's only a month ago that I saw Fulham put six past QPR at Craven Cottage. Amazingly it's their only win of the campaign. Successive defeats since sees them sitting just a point above Wigan in the table. Wayward finishing cost them dear last Sunday against Everton as they somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

That kind of result can leave a scar on a team's confidence, Fulham need to cleanse it quickly while Wigan must strive to add another painful wound of their own.

I reckon 3-3. Who's with me ..... anyone?

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Fulham are unbeaten in their last nine league matches in this fixture (W3, D6).
However, they haven't won at Wigan in 11 attempts (D8, L3) since a third-tier victory in September 1992.
This fixture has only been won by the away side once in the last 25 league and cup meetings: a 1-0 Premier League victory for Wigan in October 2006

Wigan
The Latics have lost their last six league matches and only scored three goals in that time. They are on their longest run of defeats since an eight-match barren spell from September to November 2007.
They have scored the fewest goals (six) in the top flight this season.
Robert Martinez's side have lost all five matches in which they conceded the opening goal.
Wigan have only managed one point from their four previous matches against bottom-half-of-the-table opposition.
Only Franco di Santo, Mohamed Diame and Ben Watson have scored for the club this season - fewer different goalscorers than any other club in the division.

Fulham
A third successive league defeat would represent Fulham's worst sequence in 19 months.
They have yet to win in five attempts against bottom-half opponents this season (D3, L2).
Damien Duff needs one goal to total 50 in the Premier League.
If Clint Dempsey scores he will equal Brian McBride's record of 36 Premier League goals by an American. Dempsey has scored a career five league goals against Wigan.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15413397.stm?

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Jol agrees Fulham exits

MARTIN Jol has cleared the decks for his fringe players to go out on loan – but only if they're guaranteed first-team football.

David Stockdale, Bjorn Helge Riise and Lauri Dalla Valle are among the Fulham players getting game time elsewhere, and boss Jol is happy for more members of his reserves to make the temporary switch away from Craven Cottage.

Jol recalled Keanu Marsh-Brown from Dundee United due to his lack of first-team action, and the Dutchman has warned any interested parties he doesn't expect his stars to be stuck warming the bench.

He said: "We've got a few reserve team players who could do with a month's loan. But, on the other hand, if they don't play it's a problem.

"In England they promise he will always play the first game and after that he will be on the bench.

"If you're 18 or 19 like [Marcello] Trotta, who has scored goals in the reserves, there would be no point him being at a Championship team and not playing.

"We'll talk to them, tell them my ideas, and if they want to stay and continue their development that's fine with me."



http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/10/28/jol-agrees-fulham-exits-64767-29678347/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Latics v Fulham Ticket Deals

Wigan Athletic play Fulham at the DW Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) in what is a mammoth game for the Latics, a win could really lift the morale and give the team a boost ahead of some of, shall we say, less difficult games in the next three weeks.

With Wolves away, Blackburn at the DW and Sunderland away set to follow the Fulham game you can see how getting a positive result just might get the Latics up and running again and enable Martinez`s men to pull away from the foot of the table.

To get the fans behind the team is essential and the club to their credit have a fantastic offer on for tickets, there is a special offer on for the game that allows season ticket holders to purchase a ticket for a mate at the fantastic price of just £7:50.

If you haven`t already got a ticket for the game, get yourself sorted and don`t miss out on a fantastic deal, for more information visit www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/TicketNews



Read more: http://www.wigan.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=260530#ixzz1c4wATjtN

[WhiteJC]

 
Martinez set for double injury boost

Franco di Santo and James McCarthy are hopeful of overcoming injury to feature in Wigan's home clash against Fulham on Saturday.
Leading scorer di Santo and midfielder McCarthy were both forced to miss last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle with hamstring problems but the pair have trained this week and are expected to play some part in the clash at the DW Stadium.

Back-up goalkeeper Chris Kirkland remains sidelined with a back injury as the Latics bid to avoid a seventh successive defeat in the Premier League.

But boss Roberto Martinez was encouraged by his side's performance at Newcastle and believes they can build on that display by taking their first points for two months against Fulham.

He said: "As a player you need to understand why you don't get a positive result when you deserve it, or you feel you are the better side.

"I felt the performance against Newcastle gave us a real burst of confidence because we played against a very confident side with a lot of good threats. We stopped that, we showed good concentration levels and we had a real threat and many good chances.

"We need to make sure that level doesn't drop and the results will come. The confidence is fine, what we haven't got is momentum. That momentum has to start with a victory. "



http://www.eatsleepsport.com/wigan-athletic/martinez-set-for-double-injury-boost-1322295.html?#.TqqfBmDHo98

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR, West Brom And West Ham On Alert As Andy Johnson Rejects Fulham Contract Extension



Fulham striker Andy Johnson has rejected the club's offer of a one-year extension on his contract as he is holding out for a two-year-deal.

The 30-year-old can leave Craven Cottage for free this summer but the west London club may decide to cash in on him in January if he does not commit his future soon.

The England international will be available for a nominal price, possibly as little as £2million, which will alert a number of clubs.

He cost Fulham £10.5million in 2008 and has endured a topsy turvy career with the Cottagers mainly because of injury.

Former boss Roy Hodgson would love to take him to West Bromwich Albion but it is understood the in-form poacher would prefer to stay in London where his family is settled.

This could put Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United in the driving seat but Johnson wants to continue playing Premier League football, and that is not guaranteed at either club.

Fulham manager Martin Jol wants to keep him and is trying to convince Johnson to change his mind and sign on the dotted line.

"I talk to him almost every day," said Jol. "I tell him there isn't much difference between one and-a-half and two years, but he doesn't agree.

"He wants this year and another two years. That is the only thing we are arguing about."



http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/10/28/qpr-west-brom-and-west-ham-on-alert-as-andy-johnson-rejects-fulham-contract-extension/?

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David Stockdale is still part of Jol's plans at Fulham



Fulham manager Martin Jol today told keeper David Stockdale to forget about making his loan move to Ipswich permanent.

The 26-year-old has twice been called up to the England squad but is yet to make his debut and is on a season-long loan at Portman Road.

Jol said: "He's part of our plans, but I've got another great goalkeeper [Mark Schwarzer] who's one of the best.

"David's our player. We identified him and took him, so hopefully everybody's happy in the future."

Jol will be without defender Aaron Hughes for tomorrow's clash at Wigan.

The Northern Ireland international picked up a thigh injury during last weekend's defeat to Everton and joins Orlando Sa (hamstring) and Simon Davies (knee) on the sidelines while Switzerland's Philippe Senderos was having his thigh injury assessed today.



http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24003467-david-stockdale-is-still-part-of-jols-plans-at-fulham.do?

[WhiteJC]

 
EPL Preview: Wigan v Fulham

Wigan will be desperate to lift themselves out of the relegation zone on Saturday when they welcome fellow strugglers Fulham to DW Stadium.

Roberto Martinez's side are second bottom of the English Premier League after nine matches, level on five points with bottom side Blackburn, after just one win from their opening nine matches.

After beginning their campaign with draws against Norwich and Swansea, Wigan enjoyed a 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers on August 27.

Since then, however, Martinez's side have endured a nightmare run of form, losing their past six matches and in their most recent encounter they gave up a goal to Yohan Cabaye in the 81st minute in a 1-0 loss to Newcastle at St James' Park.

Martin Jol's Fulham side, meanwhile, are not faring that much better - with seven points from their first nine games seeing them in 17th position, just one point clear of the drop zone.

Since their brilliant 6-0 win over QPR on October 2, they have suffered a 2-0 loss to Stoke and - most recently - were on the receiving end of a 3-1 home defeat to Everton.

Both sides are in reasonable health, with Martinez's only concerns being hamstring strains to Franco Di Santo and James McCarthy.

The duo missed Wigan's clash with Newcastle, but Martinez has dismissed fears they could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

"Franco had a slight tear in his hamstring but we thought he was going to make it (against Newcastle). James (McCarthy) has got a hamstring problem as well but we hope they will both back with us very soon," Martinez told Wigan's website.

Simon Davies is nursing a knee injury for Fulham, but Bryan Ruiz should be better for his half-an-hour cameo against Everton, and Philippe Senderos could be set to resume after a thigh strain.



http://www.sportal.co.in/football-news-display/preview-wigan-v-fulham-144777

[WhiteJC]

 
Hughes ruled out to face Wigan

Fulham will be without defender Aaron Hughes for the important clash with Wigan on Saturday.

The Cottagers lie just one point above the relegation zone in 17th place in the Premier League, with Wigan two places back in 19th.

Martin Jol will have to reshape his back line with the loss of Hughes, who has been unable to shake off a thigh injury in time for the visit of the Lancashire club.

Problems to Fulham's back four may get worse if Phillippe Senderos fails a fitness test on Friday on his thigh injury.

Two players who will also definitely be out for the hosts are Orlando Sa and Simon Davies.



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/hughes-ruled-out-to-face-wigan-1322304.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Stanley Black & Decker Partnership


Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce a new partnership with Stanley Black & Decker.

The partnership will feature branding for the Stanley, DEWALT and Black & Decker brands throughout the Club's home matches.

The program also contains a variety of other top-level marketing and promotional elements that will allow Stanley Black & Decker to promote the association with Fulham FC across a wide range of global channels.

Alistair Mackintosh, CEO Fulham Football Club said:

"Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce a new partnership with Stanley Black & Decker, a brand with a long and impressive history.

"We look forward to developing this partnership over the next two seasons through joint activation programmes and a considerable match day presence."

To celebrate the launch of this partnership Stanley are running a competition to win a Fulham home shirt signed by your favourite FFC.  To enter simply visit the Stanley facebook page and click 'Like'. Terms and conditions apply. 



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/October/StanleyAnnouncement.aspx#ixzz1c5FEPz3A

[WhiteJC]

 
Joronen Called-Up

Fulham goalkeeper Jesse Joronen has been called-up to the Finland Under-19 side as they look to qualify for the 2011/12 UEFA European Under-19 Championships.

Finland will face Croatia on 10th November, Holland on 12th November, and finally Moldova on 15th November.

Omri Altman has also received a call-up to Israel's Under-19s for their qualification matches.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/October/JoronenCalled-Up.aspx?#ixzz1c5G99yvL

[WhiteJC]

 
McArthur - We have to win
Latics midfielder ready for 'cup final' against Fulham

Wigan midfielder James McArthur has called on his team to start picking up the points against Fulham this Saturday.

The Latics are second bottom in the Premier League following a run of six consecutive defeats and McArthur has labelled the visit of Fulham as a 'cup final'.

McArthur has outlined the importance of beating the Cottagers and believes the game has parallels with the dramatic victory over West Ham in the penultimate game of last season which helped to secure the club's top-flight status.

"It's a cup final for us, no doubt about that, and we need to go into the game thinking we have to win no matter what it takes," McArthur told the Evening Post.

"It'll be similar to West Ham last year in that respect. There's no margin for error and nothing less than a win will do.

"Look at the way we finished last season - that's what we need to do again. We desperately need to start picking up points, because we don't want to be stuck in a relegation battle from now until the end of the season.

"The fact of the matter is, looking at the table now, we're in one at the moment, and we will be until we start picking up points. We need to find whatever it takes to get the three points that will hopefully kick us off on a run - whatever it takes."

Struggling

Fulham are yet to win away from home this season, and have achieved only four away victories over their last two seasons, however, McArthur knows that it will not be a walk in the park.

"They're struggling too but they are a good side, we know that," McArthur added.

"Some of their performances this season have been very good, and they'll be coming in with exactly the same frame of mind. They try and get the ball down, as do we, which should make a good game.

"We just need to play exactly the way we played at Newcastle, with the same intensity, but take our chances this time. If we can do that, I'm sure we'll be fine.

"I thought we played really well, we created numerous chances and unfortunately for ourselves we couldn't take any of them. But that's the way it's going right now. Hopefully things will turn for us very soon."

McArthur made a last minute appearance against Newcastle last week but he wants to be much more than a substitute, commenting: "I would like to have played more this season.

"Everybody thinks being a footballer is an easy life, but it's not at all. It's hard not playing when you've trained hard all week, and I need to keep doing that and make it hard for the manager to leave me out."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7271092/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Rambling and a-gambling: Wigan v Fulham preview

Given Wigan's horrific recent run of losses, a Pools player would mark this game as a sure-fire away win. But, as I have often discovered to my disappointment, games never transpire precisely as you expect them – there are always two or three games that spoil your chances of winning the £10,000 jackpot. From a distinctly Blue point of view, let's hope Wigan's contest with the Cottagers turns out to be one of those matches, a game that bucks the trend and puts a long-awaited end to our two-month wait for Premier League points.

All seems fine on the injury front for Latics, as though there are minor doubts over the hamstrung Franco Di Santo and James McCarthy, both should be fit for selection. Hugo Rodallega has also recovered from a small knock sustained during the match with Bolton to take his place in the starting XI once again.

The visitors will be without Phillipe Senderos, Simon Davies and Aaron Hughes, while Bryan Ruiz returns from a knee injury for the Europa League challengers. The 'relatively unglamorous' (Match of the Day's words, not mine) surroundings of Robin Park await Fulham's travelling faithful, who make the long trip north to a rainy Wigan hopeful of a first win in three games.

Indeed, the Cottagers are experiencing something of a blip in form having lost their last three games over a period of eight days. Latics fans will know how tough such congested periods can be, even if our most recent 'nightmare week' did not contain the cream of the European footballing crop (no offence to Crystal Palace, of course). Whereas a rested Fulham are expected to turn things around sooner rather than later, Wigan's bad week snowballed into a grim month and eventually a horrific two months, which is somewhat apt considering Halloween (no puns this year, I promise) is just around the corner. Of course, there's always the opportunity for a drastic change in fortunes, and a fully-fit (fingers crossed) Latics squad will be hungry for success.


Wigan Athletic v Fulham possible Latics lineup 1

"Good players can play anywhere, and Hugo is a great example of that" — Roberto Martinez, via Wigan Today

Though the above diagram shows how Latics may line up tomorrow afternoon, this prediction is subject to wild variation, especially where the attacking midfield area is concerned. I think Albert Crusat showed enough promise on the left to warrant another starting berth, allowing Rodallega to take a more goalscoring position at centre forward. I also assume Martinez won't want to risk a returning Franco Di Santo for the full 90 minutes –regardless of his being match fit– and bring him on at some point during the second half. Read on for how that might pan out.

It's less likely, but Roberto may opt for a slightly more attacking lineup in a bid to squeeze out some vital points. A second half rejig might result in something similar to the following:

Wigan Athletic v Fulham possible Latics lineup 2

To wrap up on an optimistic note, I saw enough encouragement against Newcastle to suggest a more positive result on Saturday. The main task will be scoring goals, but with Rodallega back and the pacey Moses and Crusat settling on the wings, this should be less of a problem than previously. An early goal would get the home crowd behind us and restore some confidence in our ability to score.

Fulham's game is important because our rank is not far away from them.. Achieving 3 points tomorrow is crucial and needed !! — Ali Al Habsi, via Twitter

Ah, who am I kidding? It'll be a draw. Again. Put your ten quid on that.

[WhiteJC]

 
Latics duo poised to return

Franco di Santo and James McCarthy are hopeful of overcoming injury to feature in Wigan's home clash against Fulham on Saturday.

Leading scorer di Santo and midfielder McCarthy were both forced to miss last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle with hamstring problems but the pair have trained this week and are expected to play some part in the clash at the DW Stadium.

Back-up goalkeeper Chris Kirkland remains sidelined with a back injury as the Latics bid to avoid a seventh successive defeat in the Premier League.

But boss Roberto Martinez was encouraged by his side's performance at Newcastle and believes they can build on that display by taking their first points for two months against Fulham.

He said: "As a player you need to understand why you don't get a positive result when you deserve it, or you feel you are the better side.

"I felt the performance against Newcastle gave us a real burst of confidence because we played against a very confident side with a lot of good threats. We stopped that, we showed good concentration levels and we had a real threat and many good chances.

"We need to make sure that level doesn't drop and the results will come. The confidence is fine, what we haven't got is momentum. That momentum has to start with a victory. "


http://www.clubcall.com/wigan-athletic/latics-duo-poised-to-return-1322295.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan Athletic v Fulham: preview
Read a preview of the Premier League game between Wigan Athletic and Fulham at DW Stadium on Saturday Oct 29 2011.

Saturday, October 29
Wigan Athletic v Fulham
DW Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights BBC Match of the Day.

Wigan (Probable, 4-1-4-1): Al Habsi; Boyce, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa; Watson; Moses, Jones, Diame, Crusat; Rodallega.
Out: Kirkland (back).
Tests: Di Santo, McCarthy (both hamstring).

Fulham (Probable, 4-4-2): Schwarzer; Grygera, Hangeland, Baird, J Riise; Dembele, Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey; Zamora, Johnson.
Out: Davies (knee), Sa (hamstring).

Referee: Mike Jones (Matches 7, R3 Y31).

Team News
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is hopeful both leading scorer Franco Di Santo and midfielder James McCarthy will be able to play some part against Fulham at the DW Stadium.

Both players missed last week's 1-0 defeat by Newcastle with hamstring problems but have trained this week with the rest of the squad.

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is recovering from a back problem after returning early from a loan spell with Doncaster.

Fulham will be without defender Aaron Hughes.

The 31 year-old former Northern Ireland international has been ruled out for two weeks with a thigh injury picked up during last week's 3-1 defeat to Everton and will miss the trip to the DW Stadium and, in all probability, next weekend's visit of Tottenham.
Fellow defender Philippe Senderos will have a thigh injury of his own assessed, while Orlando Sa (hamstring) and Simon Davies (knee) are out.

Match Notes
Second-bottom Wigan are looking to avoid a seventh consecutive Premier League defeat, while Fulham could slip into the relegation zone if they suffer a third straight loss.

Martin Jol's team have just one point from their four away matches so far but Wigan continue to struggle in attack, with a record of only six goals in their nine matches hardly suggesting they can capitalise on the Londoners' travel sickness.
For either team, victory could prove extremely significant.

Stat of the game: Wigan's six straight defeats is their worst run for four years (when they lost eight).
Betting: Home 19-10, Away 29-20, Draw 9-4.

Graham Chase's redicition: Wigan 1 Fulham 1.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8853328/Wigan-Athletic-v-Fulham-preview.html