We’re just a couple of days away from the short trip to the Macron Stadium (formerly the Reebok of course) for the FA Cup tie that most fans would dearly love to win. This is, after all, the FA Cup that we still held this time last year as defending champions.

But things are very different 12 months on which is why we say only “most” fans want to beat The Trotters in their own back yard in Horwich. The truth is that an “expedient” loss to Bolton might strengthen Latics’ survival hopes after the most recent disastrous home loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

But the cup is the cup and anyway it doesn’t always work the way you expect. A good cup run can often work the other way – giving a team the confidence it needs; a confidence which is so obviously lacking at the moment. Whether or not we’d have been relegated from the Premier League without the FA Cup win in 2013 is a moot point; who really knows what would have happened?

After the away win at Leeds, things seemed to be headed in the right direction at long last. But Callum McManaman’s sending off helped make sure it was seven defeats from nine

So the chances of a win at Bolton look a little remote to say the least. But the Latics are nothing if not inconsistent – and Dave Whelan loves the cup despite breaking his leg when playing for Blackburn in the 1960 final. Also, a win would most certainly be one in the eye for the neighbours and a confidence booster for the team. In other words, the Latics might just surprise everyone on Saturday and come away with the win.

Bolton have proved difficult to beat under Neil Lennon – particularly at home where they remain unbeaten since the Northern Irishman took the job. This is why Bolton are 6/4 favourites – whilst Wigan are around 2/1 with bookmakers Unibet, 32Red and others.

But 32Red offer great welcome bonuses if you register to play games on your smartphone, so you may be able to get a good-sized free bet in this way. Whether that goes on a 2/1 punt to beat The Trotters or not is another matter. Both Wigan and Bolton are around the 150-1 mark to win the trophy outright, but only the most optimistic fans would be taking those odds.

Malky MackayAll in all, on recent form from both clubs and the fact that Bolton have proved so strong at home, means the home win looks most likely to the market. But Wigan fans also know that it’s only a matter of time before Latics really start playing like we all know they’re capable of. And a win at Bolton might just be what we need to get the season really started.

You also can bet that Dave Whelan will have made that very clear to both Malky Mackay, and the players themselves – so it can be done. What’s more – Mackay will realise that his days are surely numbered if things continue in the current vein, so he’ll have to ensure a decent performance.

Don’t forget to let us know your thoughts, comments or issues in our all new Wigan Athletic Fans Message Board and Forum, there is now an area for an open forum with the Supporters Liaison Officers

Please visit our chosen Charity and sponsors:

storehouse-logo Block-website-ad-250x150 WDS-logo

Thank you for your support.
Bolton have proved difficult to beat under Neil Lennon – particularly at home where they remain unbeaten since the Northern Irishman took the job. This is why Bolton are 6/4 favourites – whilst Wigan are around 2/1 with bookmakers Unibet, 32Red and others.

But 32Red offer great welcome bonuses if you register to play games on your smartphone, so you may be able to get a good-sized free bet in this way. Whether that goes on a 2/1 punt to beat The Trotters or not is another matter. Both Wigan and Bolton are around the 150-1 mark to win the trophy outright, but only the most optimistic fans would be taking those odds.

All in all, on recent form from both clubs and the fact that Bolton have proved so strong at home, means the home win looks most likely to the market. But Wigan fans also know that it’s only a matter of time before Latics really start playing like we all know they’re capable of. And a win at Bolton might just be what we need to get the season really started.

You also can bet that Dave Whelan will have made that very clear to both Malky Mackay, and the players themselves – so it can be done. What’s more – Mackay will realise that his days are surely numbered if things continue in the current vein, so he’ll have to ensure a decent performance.