Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic- Preview

Last updated : 28 January 2011 By DSG

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has indicated he will freshen things up for the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wigan.

Coyle could hand a debut to former Middlesbrough defender David Wheater while striker Ivan Klasnic may come into contention after a groin injury.

Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is set to be recalled to the cup team after his fine display in the third-round victory against non-league York, and that applies to Spanish forward Rodrigo Moreno as well.

Coyle is convinced Bolton will regain that winning mentality sooner rather than later.

Four defeats in six Barclays Premier League games have seen his side tumble into the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League table after a bright start to the campaign.

The latest setback came on Monday with a 4-0 trouncing by Chelsea at the Reebok Stadium and Coyle is looking for his team to cut out the errors when they switch to FA Cup business against Wigan.

"We have to get back to what we are good at. That is working hard on the training ground, getting a smile on our face and going and showing our quality," said the Bolton boss.

"We did not play badly against Chelsea. What happened was that every mistake we made we was severely punished.

"It is about the players believing and trusting in what they have done all season. We are not hiding behind anything - we have lost a few games we shouldn't have.

"So the only way to do that is work hard and look to get to your maximum on the pitch. If we do that we will start picking up wins again and that is just around the corner."

Coyle has an abiding affection for the FA Cup going back to 1993 when he joined Bolton's front line and they reached the last eight.

He recalled: "We had a terrific run and lost to Oldham 1-0 at Burnden Park in the quarter-finals. We were probably the better team on the day.

"We could have easily been out in the first round, though, as we were 1-0 down to Gretna with three minutes to go. One of our strikers managed to score two - that's right... it was me!

"We went on to beat Lincoln, then Premier League teams - Everton, Arsenal, who were the holders, and Aston Villa.

"We were a Championship club at the time. But forget the memories, let's try to create some new ones."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez played a much-changed side for the third-round win over Hull and will do the same at the Reebok Stadium, with striker Callum McManaman set to be given another chance along with fellow youngsters Jordan Mustoe, Jordan Robinson and Daniel Redmond.

James McCarthy and Franco Di Santo will be given a weekend off after their recent returns from injury but Gary Caldwell is available again after suspension.

"The FA Cup is a great competition and we always want to progress," explained Martinez. "We had a very positive experience in the third round and now is a unique opportunity to use this cup competition to bring players into the squad.

"It's a very busy period once more, four games in 14 days, and we need to get through this period with no injuries and making sure that everyone is refreshed and ready going into the last third of the league.

"It's a welcome distraction, it's a great game, a local derby. It's a great opportunity for certain players to show how close they are to the first team.

"We need to give them chances and I think games like we saw in the third round, it's down to the youngsters to take their opportunity.

"They did that, they got us into the fourth round, and now is another great opportunity to carry on showing the good football and the good work they've been doing behind the signs."

Wigan will hope the FA Cup can provide a much-needed boost in confidence after a run of six games without a win in the Barclays Premier League, which has left them in the bottom three.

Martinez urged the club's fans to be patient, saying: "In any football team, everything you do is to win football games and at the moment we are disappointed with our results. But it's important you don't lose your focus and the manner in which you want to win football games.

"The fans know we are not far away. You need a little bit of luck to trigger that confidence and allow the good things you're doing on the football pitch to be reflected in the scoreline."

Source: DSG

Source: DSG