Wigan Athletic boss: Pride will fuel us against Fulham

Assuming their 12-point penalty deduction for entering administration is upheld, Latics HAVE to beat the Cottagers to have any hope of avoiding the drop.

They also need EITHER Charlton to fail to win at Championship champions Leeds, OR Luton to fail to beat mid-table Blackburn at home.

But rather than reflect on what might have been – with Latics coming within four minutes of beating Charlton on Saturday, which would surely have saved them – Cook is thinking only positive ahead of the biggest game of the season.

“I’m a great believer in this group and sticking with it,” he told the Wigan Post.

“How can anyone criticise anything these lads have done...they can’t.

“Personal emotions can come in, because you haven’t seen the game out on Saturday. But we’ve managed to see so many games out in recent weeks and months.

“Charlton themselves conceded a stoppage-time equaliser last week – that’s football.

“We were set a totally different task a fortnight ago, and these lads have responded magnificently – as has the town.

“There’s probably more pride in and around this football club than there has been for some time, and that’s the most important thing heading into Wednesday.”

Latics could have done without Leeds having already clinched the title, to kick off celebrations their fans have waited more than a decade-and-a-half for.

But Marcelo Bielsa’s men showed with Sunday’s win at Derby that they remain focused on seeing the season out – which could aid Latics’ cause tomorrow.

“Obviously Leeds will be having a different end to the season than they might have,” Cook acknowledged.

“And that’s fine, by the way. As a manager, I don’t look at other teams.

“If you’re Leeds and you’ve just won a league title, you’ve earned the right to do what you like.

“As far as we’re concerned, we have to win our last game against Fulham.

“The disappointing thing is even then it might not be enough...but we’ll give it everything we’ve got.”