Kirkland: Stand up and be counted
Chris Kirkland has called for Wigan's players to 'stand up and be counted' in the final 11 matches of the campaign as they fight for Premier League survival.
Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Birmingham left Latics a single point above the drop zone, with Champions League-chasing Liverpool next up at the DW Stadium.
This season is the third time in the club's five-year tenure in the top-flight that they have been involved in a relegation battle, and Kirkland says it is up to the senior professionals to show the way in what is sure to be a nervous run-in.
He told the Evening Post: "I've been here a few years now and, along with those who have some into the squad recently, we all have to step up and be counted for.
"We all have to pull together, because time is running out and if we don't do something soon we could be in serious trouble.
"Coming away from games feeling like the way we have been isn't easy, but games are running out and we have to stand up and be counted - and get a few wins."
The latest loss, at St Andrew's, left Latics again feeling hard-done by, with James McFadden's deciding goal coming from a spot-kick that TV replays show should never have been awarded.
But Kirkland refuses to mull over what might have been, and believes Wigan should instead focus on matters that are within their control - such as putting together a consistent 90 minutes.
"At the time, I had no complaints - it looked a penalty, and they scored their goal from it," he said.
"That's football, and that's life really. If you keep feeling sorry for yourself, you'll continue to get beat.
"We started off badly in the first-half and in the end gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
"It's not quite happening at the minute, and we have to make sure we get back on track and back to winning games.
"Yes it hurts and it will for a while, but we have to pick ourselves up and get ready for a big game against Liverpool."
Kirkland, who spent five years with the Reds before joining Latics in the summer of 2006, admits he is still wondering how Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell remained on the pitch at the weekend after his dangerous lunge at James McCarthy late in the piece.
Unbelievable that one," the Wigan goalkeeper added. "I was shouting to our lads to ask the ref what was going on.
"You could see a mile away that he must have run about 20 yards to get to James, and luckily our man hasn't been hurt badly.
I don't like to see players booked but when you see a challenge like that you have to expect some kind of punishment. It was horrific."
James McCarthy, fitness permitting, is standing by to make his Republic of Ireland debut against Brazil tonight.
Kick off at the Emirates Stadium is 8.05pm, and the game is live on ITV1.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
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