Latics' latest centurion hoping to take another step towards survival on Wednesday

Titus Bramble is taking nothing for granted ahead of Wednesday night's league clash with Portsmouth, knowing that nothing less than 100% will do from Latics.

Pompey's relegation may have been confirmed over the weekend, but Avram Grant's side showed the fight and spirit they have in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win over Spurs, and Bramble is under no illusion that they'll provide stern opposition again for Latics.

"Any game in the Premier League is going to be difficult and Wednesday's clash with Portsmouth will be no different," said Bramble.

"They've got some very good players in their team so we'll have to make sure we're on top of our game in order to get the three points.

"Whatever happened earlier in the season has gone now. They got a result over us at Fratton Park but we still would have got to this point needing points so the situation hasn't changed. We're fully focused on this encounter and have put that day well behind us.

"We've got the ability to beat anybody on our day we just need to make sure we get the basics right and work hard for the right result."

And of course the game offers the chance for Bramble to go toe-to-toe with former team-mate Michael Brown, a challenge he is relishing;

"It's always good to play against former team-mates and friends and I'm looking forward to going up against Browny, but as always once the game kicks off there's no room for friendship."

With a 7.45 kick-off it's a chance for Latics' fans to again generate an inspiring atmosphere, and Titus knows their support will help to further boost the sense of togetherness within the team and the club;

"The fans have been fantastic all season and we know they'll get right behind us and support us right until the end.

"With their help the team spirit has been boosted recently and it's something we have to maintain from now on.

"We've got five games left, five Cup-Finals really and we've got to make sure we're all together to get the results for the club.

The pre-match huddle has showed the togetherness we have out on the pitch, it gives any player the chance to get something out and say what they want to. Gaz (Gary Caldwell) and Mario are quite influential in there, but if you've got something to say to give the lads a boost then that's the time."

On a personal note Bramble surpassed the 100-league game milestone for the club recently, taking to the field against Man City to become the latest Latics centurion, an achievement he hopes will contribute towards the club's sixth season in the top-flight;

"I wasn't aware of that to be honest. I can remember making my debut for the club against Everton back in 2007, but since then everything's gone by really quickly.

"Players come and go very frequently nowadays so to pass that milestone is a great feeling, and I'm looking forward to the next hundred games.

"The season before last we beat Aston Villa 2-0 to survive at the end of the season and that was a great feeling. If we can get a couple more wins under our belts this campaign and do the same again it would be a great feeling.

"It was always going to be a tough challenge with a new manager coming in and changing the style of the club altogether. The aim at the beginning was of course to stay in the Premier League and progress on from there.

"The key to making that happen is hard-work. We need to get our heads down as a team, go back to basics and make sure we get everything right in order to win games."