It was one Roberto Martinez who coined the term ‘Believe Bus’. After one of those famous winning runs that propelled Latics to safety in the Premier League days.
I think it’s safe to say that the ‘Believe Bus’ is well on it’s route after this week.
Nine goals scored, six points recorded, back on top of League One still with a game in hand of our nearest rivals.
It’s certainly been some response to the disappointing result against Portsmouth a couple of weeks back and just underlines how strong this Wigan Athletic side are.
My fellow 12th man columnist and MFE co-editor Paul Middleton spoke about the over reaction in some quarters about the defeat to Portsmouth and of course he was right. On any other given day Latics could have left the South Coast with all three points and as disappointing as it was it certainly wasn’t the disaster it was made out to be in some quarters.
In a season like this consistency is key and we have been a model of consistency throughout the season. Generally Paul Cook’s sides react and react well to defeats.
That’s been borne out by the reaction in the last week, Milton Keynes and Rochdale may be battling it out at the wrong end of the division but both posed problems for different reasons. Milton Keynes had pushed Blackburn all the way in their previous match but a show if clinical finishing from Cook’s attacking men put them to the sword.
Whilst Rochdale who had only lost four games at home all season had started to get the results they hope will guide them away from the relegation zone. A boisterous away following saw Latics step up a gear and put Rochdale to the sword.
James Vaughan and Will Grigg look to be in fantastic form going in to the run in and that can only be good news, add that to goals coming from around the rest of the pitch and Latics know that if they create chances they’ll get goals.
So on to the next period of games, Rotherham will quite probably present the toughest test of the next few weeks. They’re pushing hard in the play-off places and although a spot in the automatic positions will probably allude them they’re going to be dangerous.
But if Paul Cook’s side show the talent that they have in the last few games they surely must be favourites. The finish line is in sight, the lads just need to concentrate on the prize.
First published in the Wigan Post, Friday 13th April
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