Kirkland issues challenge
Chris Kirkland has challenged Latics to push on from their historic victory over Liverpool and take another huge step towards safety at Bolton on Saturday.
Latics opened up a four-point buffer between themselves and the drop zone with their 1-0 win over Kirkland's former club on Monday, and will travel to the Reebok full of confidence for what promises to be a real
derby sizzler.
The two sides drew 0-0 at the DW last month, but Kirkland believes Latics can pick up all three points on the road if they maintain the same standards they showed against the Reds.
He told the Evening Post: "We're still in a tough position, but the win against Liverpool gives us a little bit of breathing space and we have to push on now.
"The lads were magnificent from the first minute until the last, and frustrated Liverpool for the whole game.
More Latics news in today's (Wednesday) Wigan Evening Post ...
"It didn't matter who we were playing, we just had to get a positive result and thankfully we managed to do that.
"Now the challenge is to take this in to Saturday's game at Bolton, which is another massive one for us.
"Obviously they are down around us in the table, but there are no easy games – and we'll need to play as well as we did against Liverpool to win."
The win over the Merseysiders was particularly satisfying for Kirkland, who supported the Reds as a boy and spent five years at Anfield before Rafa Benitez deemed him surplus to requirements.
The 28-year-old was not called on to make a save worthy of the name thanks to the quality defending in front of him, and he admits it was nice to get one over his former employers.
He continued: "I enjoyed my time with Liverpool.
"It was a privilege to play there and obviously I still look out for their results every week.
"But I play for Wigan now and there's only one team I really want to win and that's us – even against Liverpool.
"And the win was much-needed because of the situation we are in."
Kirkland is also hopeful Latics are beginning to shake off the inconsistencies of a season that has seen them outplay Chelsea, Aston Villa and now Liverpool, but go down meekly to Portsmouth and Hull.
"That's football and that's why we watch and love it, but it drives you mad," he added.
"All you can do is prepare well, give yourself a chance and hope that on the day you'll get a bit of luck.
"And we finally got some on Monday."
Email to a friend
Print this page Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Local pages
Looking for a...
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
