Best squad spirit I've ever known, insists Wigan Athletic veteran

Danny Fox has challenged Wigan Athletic to take their fighting spirit into another massive six-pointer at Barnsley this weekend.
Danny FoxDanny Fox
Danny Fox

Latics managed to overcome their current off-field strife by beating QPR in midweek - which took them eight points clear of the bottom three with four games to go.

However, with a 12-point deduction looking for being placed into administration, Latics must win their survival fight all over again.

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Next up is a trip to Barnsley, who are effectively one place and one point ahead in the revised standings.

And Fox says a repeat of the siege mentality shown in midweek against QPR is a must.

“I couldn’t wait for the game on Wednesday, and I know the lads felt the same,” he said. “Barnsley is another massive game for us, but it’s also another opportunity for us to put points on the board.

“Hopefully we can continue doing the fans proud, and we can give them something to cheer at the end of a difficult season.”

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“The circumstances aren’t great for everyone connected with the club, but it’s our job to go out and put performances in for our supporters.

“Hopefully we did them proud on Wednesday and we can continue to do that over the next two weeks.”

Despite most of the club’s off-field staff being made redundant this week, Paul Cook has performed miracles in channelling all the negative emotions off the field into a collective determination to put things right on the field.

“The spirit has been unbelievable,” acknowledged the veteran defender. “It’s the best I’ve ever been part of.

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“I know that’s usually a bit of a cliche but, in the circumstances we’re in, everyone’s together.

"And I’m not just saying this but we all love each other here, we are like brothers, we all get on and it’s a good place to be when we win games.

“We are doing it for the fans and everyone connected with the club.

"It’s no secret people have been here for a long time and lots of people have lost jobs.

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"It’s their lives and we do feel so much for them, we just have to do them proud with every game we play.

“It would be the easy excuse to just roll over, but as you see, the gaffer is a very passionate man. The gaffer and his staff have been second to none.”

Fox slotted back into the backline in midweek in place of the injured Leon Balogun.

And after sitting out most of the campaign, he’s desperate to make up for lost time.

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“I’ve missed football a lot,” he added. “I’ve had a troubled time this season, I’ve been injured and I’ve had two operations.

"But I can’t really complain about that given the circumstances that are going on across the world.

“This administration is just adding to that for people here, but it is what it is and we’ve just to do what we can on the field to help.”

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