Wigan Athletic boss Paul Cook will ring the changes for Oxford clash

The Latics boss named the same team for the third game in the space of a week for Saturday’s visit of Rotherham, and the side showed one or two signs of fatigue and lethargy.

“There will be changes on Tuesday night, I think everyone can see that,” admitted Cook.

“We speak about this every week, you know what I’m like like, you’re winning and you’re playing well, and you don’t want to change it.

“You don’t want to be too clever with team selection...my job is to get us over the line next month.”

Latics won the corresponding fixture against Oxford 7-0 just before Christmas, but Cook is not reading anything into that result.

“Nothing could give Oxford a better incentive than that game,” he acknowledged.

“People in football knows the score, they had a good win on Saturday, and credit to Karl (Robinson) for that.

“They’ll come here totally free, and that makes it such a tough game.

“Teams playing with freedom make it so difficult for you.”

Latics are hoping to use their game in hand on second-placed Blackburn to move three points clear at the top of League One.

Rovers came within seconds of taking over leadership of the division on Saturday, only for Tony Mowbray’s men to concede a 94th-minute equaliser at Bristol Rovers.

“Tony’s an experienced manager, and he’ll be saying the same as I am right now....just go again,” Cook recognised.

“Football’s football. You keep working hard to the end of the season.

“If you’re in the top two when the awards are handed out, you’re happy.

“If not, and you’re in the play-offs, you deal with that...and that’s all you can do.

“Without being funny, Shrewsbury probably deserve the results on Saturday, for what they’ve done all season.

“They’re on an outstanding points tally, and not being in the top two must knock them sideways.

“All round the country now teams are getting promoted, relegated.

“Until you achieve your success you must keep your manners, and stay as humble as you can,

“Football’s got a strange way of kicking us all...and I guarantee you there could still be shocks in this division.”