Wigan Athletic chief calls on supporters to recreate Premier League 'Great Escape' fanfare

Latics moved out of the League One drop zone at the weekend after beating play-off-chasing Huddersfield Town thanks to Jensen Weir’s 62nd-minute strike.

It was Latics’ second 1-0 home victory over top-half opposition out of two since Caldwell took charge, after Joe Taylor scored the only goal to beat Luton Town in mid-February.

And Caldwell feels the club’s hopes of avoiding a return to the fourth tier – for the first time in three decades – depends very much on their results at the Brick Community Stadium.

As a player, the Scot helped Latics to three times beat the odds and rally at the end of the season to remain in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez, before the music finally stopped in 2013.

And he wants to recreate what he says was a vital part of that resurgence...but he will need the help of the fans to do so.

"Our supporters are going to be massive between now and the end of the season, especially at home,” he said.

"I remember in years gone by, at this time of year, in our Premier League survival days, they'd come out and really got behind the team.

"That allowed us to build momentum at a key point of the season.

"I remember they used to come early for games, to welcome us out of the car park, and greet us into the stadium.

"That really built belief in the group, it gave us momentum, that we could achieve something special.

"This year, although we're in a different league, it's a similar situation where we're going to need everyone at this football club to stand up and be counted.

"We need everyone to keep believing that we can get out of this, and then look forward to going into next season, and growing, and becoming a really competitive team.

"Right now, the need for points, for wins, for survival, is critical, and we have to understand that and stick together to make sure we achieve that.”