Watch:

Roberto's considered review of the Sunderland. [watch]
Roberto's preview of the Birmingham game. [watch]
Titus Bramble at the WN1 opening. [watch]
Chairman's update on Boys & Girls Club. [watch]

Listen:

Listen to full match commentary from the DW Stadium from 2.45pm with your commentary team of Graham Lovett and Paul Chialton.  If you're not already a Latics Player subscriber, you can join today and get immediate access.  For more details click here.

Preview:

Latics go in search of back-to-back wins for the first time this season when Alex McLeish brings an in-form Birmingham City to the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  The game marks the start of a both busy and crucial month for Roberto Martinez's side with 6 games and 18 points avaiable before the turn of the year.

Birmngham arrive in Wigan on the back of some enviable form, with draws against Man City and Liverpool as well as impressive wins over Fulham and Wolves giving them a defeatless November.

Team News:

Roberto Martinez has reported a fully fit squad to select from so it would be reasonable to assume that he will name an unchanged line-up for the visit of Birmingham,an inury free sqaud a bonus at this stage of the season.

Birmingham could also be unchanged having beaten Wolves last weekend.

Garry O'Conner (hip), Stuart Parnaby (back), Martin Taylor (ankle), Teemu Tainio and David Murphy (both knee) are all long-term injury victims

What Roberto Martinez said this week:

"Birmingham are full of confidence, they've found an established 11 with a lot of experience. They work extremely hard for each other, they're hard to break down and they'll feel that they can come here and get a positive result. So we need to be ready because it's going to be a demanding game.

"Birmingham don't leave themselves exposed, so if either side can gain control of the midfield I feel that will be a critical area. First and foremost you have to earn the right to get control of the ball, and be able to dictate the play.

"Alex McLeish is a manager with great experience and he's been working with that group of players for a long time now. That kind of experience and knowledge will get you extra points during the course of the season.

What the Chairman said this week:

"The win against Sunderland was so important, especially after the nightmare at Tottenham. These things happen now and again, I remember being beaten 6-1 whilst I was playing for Crewe all those years ago. I remember last season, we got an amazing result away to Hull City when we won 5-0, so it does happen. But last Saturday our boys showed what they were made of, stood-up and fought to win.

"Another big game now against Birmingham City this weekend, three points are available to us there and we've got to take them."

Looking further ahead to a busy December.

"We've not got the strongest playing squad in the world, by any means. What we don't want is injuries; it would be very hard to replace some of our quality players if they were to pick up a knock. But hopefully we can pick up a few points before Christmas and sail into the new year looking for a top-ten finish.

Last Line Ups:

Wigan: (v Sunderland (h), W1-0) - Kirkland, Bramble, Scharner, Melchiot, Boyce, Figueroa, N'Zogbia, Diame, Thomas, Scotland (Gomez, 55), Rodallega.
Subs not used: Koumas, Amaya, Sinclair, Pollitt, Cho, McCarthy.

Birmingham:  (Wolves (a), W1-0) - Hart, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Roger Johnson, Bowyer, Larsson, Ferguson, Jerome, Benitez (Fahey ,87 ), McFadden.
Subs not used: Carsley, Maik Taylor, McSheffrey, O'Shea, Queudrue, Vignal. 

Head To Head:



Last time the two sides met in Wigan, it was a brace from Ryan Taylor (above) that sealed the points for Latics.

	Latics Wins	Draws	Blues Wins
League	5	3	2
FA Cup	0	0	1
Total	3	5	3

Last Five Meetings:

05/04/08: Premier League - Latics 2 Birmingham 0
27/10/07: Premier League - Birmingham 3 Latics 2
08/04/06: Premier League - Latics 1 Birmingham 1
02/01/06: Premier League - Birmingham 2 Latics 0
28/04/92: Divison 3 (old) - Latics 3 Birmingham 0

Officials:

Referee: Lee Probert
Assistants Referees: Gary Stott & Mo Matadar
4th Official: Anthony Taylor

Next Match:

Stoke City v Wigan Athletic

Saturday 12th December '09, Kick Off 12.45pm
[Buy Tickets]