We Love Latics!

STOKE KICK OFF MOVED

2008-09-22T15:58:00.001+01:00

Wigan Athletic would like to inform supporters that the game against Stoke City on November 8, has now been moved to a 12.45pm kick off on police advice.

ZAKY MISS IPSWICH TOWN TRIP DUE TO CALF INJURY

2008-09-21T21:15:00.001+01:00

In a phone call between Zaky and his official website AmrZaky.com after the game, Zaky said he has to miss Ipswich Town game in Carling Cup next wednesday due to injury.

Zaky had an early injury during the game after a tough play with Spurs left back Assou-Ekotto, But he insisted to continue the game.

In the middle of second half, Zaky felt strong pain in his calf and asked for replacement.

Just 8 minutes before the end, Bruce replaced Zaky with Camara while Zaky looked tired during the change.

It is yet to decide whether Zaky will be able to face Manchester City next Sunday in Derby Day.

It is worth mentioning that Zaky has got BBC man of the match recording 7.44 out of 10.

Source – amrzaky.com

Premier League - Wigan hold toothless Tottenham

2008-09-21T21:13:00.001+01:00

Tottenham's poor start to the season continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Wigan at White Hart Lane.

In a match full of commitment but lacking in genuine quality, Titus Bramble and Emerson Boyce emerged as the most impressive figures, thwarting a Spurs front line that only looked threatening following the introduction of Aaron Lennon as a second half substitute.

The key moment of the match came in the 64th minute, almost immediately after Lennon's introduction. The winger turned sharply in the Wigan area and went down under slight contact from Birmingham's Maynor Figueroa, but the referee turned down the huge appeals from fans and players alike.

Wigan did well to weather a spell of Spurs pressure throughout second half, and even finished the stronger of the two sides in a hectic final few minutes.

Despite a somewhat apprehensive feeling pervading from the capacity crowd at White Hart Lane, the Tottenham players began confidently, dominating the possession in the early stages, though without ever genuinely threatening Chris Kirkland's goal.

Summer signing Roman Pavlyuchenko was the first to get a sight at goal, though he saw his volley on the turn deflected wide after he was played in by Darren Bent.

A flurry of set pieces at both ends gave both sets of fans sporadic moments of hope, though this inevitably turned to frustration at repeated poor delivery, with David Bentley and Jason Koumas the culprits.

Bent was the first to carve himself out a genuine chance after winning possession well inside the Wigan half, though after gaining a lucky break off Titus Bramble he could only fire a low shot straight at Kirkland.

Amr Zaki was present with a similarly inviting chance moments later after lovely interplay from Paul Scharner and Wilson Palacios on the right, though the Egyptian drilled his snap-shot well over the bar.

As the half went on so Wigan began to gain a foothold in the game, with Emile Heskey at the centre of their best attacking moves. It was off his delightfully cushioned knock-down that Scharner fired a rasping volley that Heurelho Gomes did well to tip round the post three minutes before the break.

Pavlyuchenko, who was somewhat of a peripheral figure through the first half, was withdrawn, and replaced by Frazier Campbell, who fared marginally better.

The first 15 minutes of the second period passed off far too quietly for the liking of both the Spurs management and fans, and coach Juande Ramos responded by replacing the disappointing David Bentley with Lennon.

No sooner had the winger received the ball, than he was terrorising Figueroa with direct running that finally created a feeling of optimism and energy around the ground.

Both he and the Spurs fans were dismayed to see his penalty appeal on 64 minutes turned down, though it will long be debated as to whether the contact made by Figueroa on Lennon was enough to warrant a penalty.

The hosts had to wait another ten minutes for their next clear-cut chance to come about, but when it did, it was their best of the match. A long ball out of defence was flicked on by Bent to Campbell, who laid the ball off perfectly into the path of Lennon, who dragged his shot agonisingly wide of the post from the edge of the area.

Campbell then chipped an inviting ball into the box for Bent, but once again Bramble was there to clear the danger.

The noise instead the stadium escalated to a crescendo as the Spurs faithful cried out for a winner, but it was Wigan who finished the stronger of the two sides, and they may even have won it if substitute Olivier Kapo had managed to direct his header under the bar when left unmarked in on the edge of the six-yard box.

As it is, Wigan will take confidence from another fine performance, while the Spurs fans look to the Carling Cup tie at Newcastle with their side still bottom of the Premier League table.

Source – Yahoo! Sport / Eurosport

Spurs stay bottom as Latics dig in

2008-09-21T21:12:00.001+01:00

Juande Ramos' problems continued after Tottenham were held to a 0-0 home draw against Wigan which saw them remain at the bottom of the table.Spurs' lack of quality firepower since the departure of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane was even further apparent as they struggled to break down Steve Bruce's side and they are still searching for their first league victory after five matches.

Worryingly for Ramos, his side also look short of form and the Spaniard withdrew multi-million pound summer signings Roman Pavlyuchenko and David Bentley.

In a game of poor quality, Spurs were convinced they should have had a 64th-minute penalty when Aaron Lennon, David Bentley's replacement, appeared to be tripped by Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa.

But referee Steve Tanner infuriated the home fans and sent the Tottenham bench into near apoplexy by ignoring their appeals.

The frustration drove Spurs on and Jamie O'Hara, Darren Bent and Gareth Bale all rained shots on the visitors goal in the closing stages but Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and his defenders were unmoved.

It was a frantic finish but did not stop home fans booing their team off at the full-time whistle as they had done at the half-time break.

Apart from Darren Bent's snap shot which forced Kirkland to make a diving save and an even better strike by Paul Scharner at the other end which had Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes plunging spectacularly to push past a post, the first half was almost a complete write-off.

Wigan's Emmerson Boyce put in a crude tackle on Jamie O'Hara that brought the first booking but, familiarly, Spurs failed to capitalise on the free-kick as Bentley's delivery failed to beat the first defender.

When Wigan earned a free-kick of their own in the 33rd minute, after Jonathan Woodgate fouled Amr Zaki, it was at last a show of attacking intention from the visitors.

Tottenham struggled to clear Jason Koumas's delivery and the Welshman pounced on the rebound to fire it back towards goal, forcing Gomes to come hurtling off his line to knock it away from Zaki.

Egypt international Zaki was often left as a lone striker as Heskey dropped deep but he showed danger when shooting wide on the turn in the 37th minute and Wigan were beginning to look a little more composed and confident.

Pavlyuchenko was not short of determination and set up Bent for a looping header that landed on the roof of the Wigan net.

But three minutes from the interval, Scharner had the best chance of the half with a low drive which produced a brilliant diving save from Gomes at the expense of a corner.

It was hardly a surprise when Pavlyuchenko did not come out for the second half, Frazier Campbell replacing him after he had suffered a series of heavy challenges.

He did not look injured but failed to even sit on the bench in the second half as Spurs laboured in vain.

Jermaine Jenas, captain in the absence of Ledley King, tried to inspire his side with industry and drive but it was a fruitless task as Wigan dug in and earned a point.

Source – Yahoo! Sport / Eurosport

Bruce bemoans Spurs draw

2008-09-21T21:11:00.001+01:00

Wigan manager Steve Bruce was left disappointed after his side played out a goalless draw at Tottenham on Sunday.

The Latics are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions and Bruce held particular regard for his defence after their clean sheet away at White Hart Lane.

Titus Bramble and Emmerson Boyce were impressive for Wigan and Bruce believes their form could be crucial to their season.

"He (Bramble) was fantastic today," said Bruce. "Him and Boyce, and the goalkeeper (Chris Kirkland).

Unsung hero

"We came here and didn't really have that much to deal with. They didn't create much against us because of the form of Titus and Boyce.

"Boyce is a bit of an unsung hero alongside him, he does his job week in, week out. If they can keep playing like that I'll be pleased."

Paul Scharner came closest for Wigan, his long-range effort forcing Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes into an outstretched save to tip it wide.

Tottenham were denied a penalty after 64 minutes when substitute Aaron Lennon was sent to the ground by Maynor Figueroa.

Disappointed

Bruce believes Spurs would have needed some luck to be given the penalty and is disappointed that his side could not capitalise on some decent possession.

"I'd have to see it on TV to tell you what I think, it was too far away from us," added Bruce.

"From where I was looking he seemed to be looking for it a bit. I think you need a bit of luck to get one like that.

"I detected towards the end that we were a little disappointed because if anyone was going to score and win the game it was going to be us.

"We missed the pass or took the wrong option when there were gaping holes everywhere which you would expect when Tottenham are trying to win the game."

Source – Sky Sports

Latics in Spurs stalemate

2008-09-21T21:09:00.001+01:00

Tottenham continued their disappointing start to the season after a goalless draw against Wigan on Sunday.

Spurs are still without a win this season and remain bottom of the Premier League despite a lively game at White Hart Lane.

The home side had the best of the first-half chances but failed to capitalise on a series of free-kicks around the Wigan box, David Bentley's deliveries failing to penetrate the Wigan defence.

Paul Scharner came closest for the visitors minutes before the break after his 20-yard strike forced Heurelho Gomes into an outstretched save.

Juande Ramos' side were denied a penalty after 64 minutes when substitute Aaron Lennon was needlessly clipped in the box by Maynor Figueroa.

Late chances for either side followed with Chris Kirkland saving a powerful Tom Huddlestone strike before Olivier Kapo's effort was tipped over by Gomes.

Source – Sky Sports

WIGAN EARNS A POINT AT WHITE HART LANE

2008-09-21T21:06:00.001+01:00

WIGAN earned a point at struggling Tottenham to leave Spurs without a win in the Premier League this season. Spurs coach Juande Ramos is already feeling pressure with his side rooted to the foot of the Premier League and his team failing to mount a win in their opening five league games.

In a game of poor quality, Spurs were convinced they should have had a 64th-minute penalty when Aaron Lennon, Bentley’s replacement, appeared to be tripped by Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa.

Despite spending nearly £70million on new players during the summer, Ramos is struggling to get the best out of his players and saw his side booed off once again at the final whistle.
New signings Roman Pavlyuchenko and David Bentley failed to make any impact and were taken off during the game, while the sales of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane have decimated the Tottenham attack.
Wigan could have opened the scoring after just nine minutes when the Premier League's most in-form striker Amr Zaky attempted to chip the ball over Heurelho Gomes, but the Tottenham keeper reacted well and made an easy save.
Darren Bent came close for the home side on 17 minutes when he forced his way to the edge of the Wigan box and saw his first shot blocked by Titus Bramble.
The Tottenham forward refused to give up and fired another shot, which produced a fine save from Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland diving low to his right.
Wigan could sense the anxiety among the Tottenham fans and dominated the rest of the first half.
Jason Koumas fired a powerful free-kick from the edge of the box on 33 minutes which produced a fine save from Gomes.
Midfielder Wilson Palacios then burst away down the right before crossing into Zaki, who struck his shot just over the bar.
The Tottenham defence were clearly on the back foot and Wigan had another golden chance on 42 minutes.
Emile Heskey flicked the ball into Paul Scharner, who saw his right-foot shot superbly kept out by Gomes diving to his right.
Ramos made a bold move in taking off summer signing Pavlyuchenko at half-time and replacing him with youngster Frazier Campbell.
Tottenham looked more dangerous in the early stages of the second half and Gareth Bale saw his close-range header fall just over the bar on the hour mark.
The home side then had strong claims for a penalty turned down on 64 minutes when Maynor Figueroa appeared to foul Aaron Lennon inside the box, but referee Steve Tanner ignored the strong pleas from the home support.
Lennon almost made an impact on 74 minutes when he broke clear of the Wigan defence and drilled a low shot inches past the post.
Gomes then came to Tottenham's rescue once again when he tipped Olivier Kapo's shot over the bar.

Tottenham: Gomes, Zokora, Woodgate, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley (Lennon 64), Jenas, O'Hara, Bale (Huddlestone 80), Bent, Pavlyuchenko (Campbell 46). Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gilberto, Gunter, Giovani.
Booked: Corluka, O'Hara.
Wigan: Kirkland, Figueroa, Boyce, Bramble, Melchiot, Valencia, Scharner, Palacios, Koumas (Kapo 72), Zaki (Camara 82), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Kingson, Pollitt, Taylor, Kilbane, De Ridder.
Booked: Boyce, Palacios.
Att: 35,808
Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

Source – amrzaky.com

Jenas wants Spurs to 'get ugly’

2008-09-21T12:49:00.001+01:00

Jermaine Jenas thinks Tottenham will have to get ugly to kick-start their season against Wigan and lift themselves off the bottom of the table.Spurs have earned a point at Chelsea but lost their other three games, with Wigan and striker Emile Heskey expected to use a physical approach at White Hart Lane.

Jenas wants Spurs to match their opponents and build on their UEFA Cup win against Wisla Krakow in midweek.

"We've got great technical players but the Premier League is not like that sometimes and you have to dig in and make it scrappy," Jenas said.

"It's all about the three points. Teams are not going to just let us play football so we have to stand up and be counted.

"Sometimes you can get yourselves in a rut and we were in that effectively.

"The attitude has always been there but we've had the odd thing not going for us or the odd chance not going in at a vital time. Against Wisla we thought that this was the time to get it moving."

Spurs looked nervous at times against Wisla and an away goal from the Poles left the tie in the balance going back to Krakow a week on Thursday.

Jenas, however, added: "There is a different feeling around the ground, it's a bit more chirpy and there is a buzz. We need to take that in to the match against Wigan.

"It worked against us after drawing with Chelsea because we then had an international break. It's up to us now to stick together and get a result."

Grabbing the winner against Wisla took Darren Bent's tally to three in three games, putting forward his case for stepping into the shoes of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane.

"I'd swap the three goals for a win but I'm delighted with my form and hope I can keep going on and keep putting the ball in the back of the net," said the striker.

"I've always been a firm believer that if I get the games then I'll get the goals."

Bent is wary of the threat Heskey will offer Wigan, adding: "He's been brilliant. In England's big results recently he has been playing in them.

"It was harsh that he got left out during the periods that he was being criticised but he works so hard for the team and you can't take that away from him."

Source – Yahoo! Sport / Eurosport

Heskey rues Anfield exit

2008-09-21T12:31:00.001+01:00

Emile Heskey admits the disappointment of having to leave Liverpool in 2004 still rankles with him.

The powerful striker was offloaded to Birmingham that year after struggling for consistency during a four-year stay at Anfield.

He had is moments on Merseyside, bagging 22 goals during the 2000/01 season, but the highs were outnumbered by the lows.

He has reignited his career of late, forcing his way back into the England set-up, but has revealed that he would have loved to have been given more time to prove himself with Liverpool.

Lying

"It was a disappointment to leave Anfield," he told the The Sunday Times.

"Liverpool are such a big club. Anybody who tells you he wants to leave a club like that is lying.

"But, if your time has run its course, it's no use hanging on."

A move to Wigan in 2006 has seen Heskey win a host of new admirers, allowing him to rekindle his international career.

The 30-year-old featured in both of England's recent 2010 World Cup qualifiers, against Andorra and Croatia, helping the Three lions pick up maximum points.

However, a commanding 4-1 victory in Zagreb was marred by vile racist chanting from the crowd aimed towards Heskey.

Horrible

The veteran front-man is experienced enough to shrug off the ignorance of a minority, but admits something has to be done to eradicate such occurrences from the game.

"When I made a challenge, which I got booked for, it felt like the whole stand behind the goal we were attacking in the second half was doing it," he continued.

"When we kicked off again with the free kick it stopped, but for 10 or 20 seconds you could hear it, and it was horrible.

"We've had it before, in Spain and Slovakia, and if you think about it, you probably get it in places where they don't have many black players, or even black people, in the community. Not like England, which is multicultural.

"Over there, they are a long way behind us in that respect, and it's down to ignorance. At first I thought, 'What the hell is this?' But as soon as we kicked off again it went out of my head.

"When I was younger, I'd have been angrier, but the more you come across it, the more you're left thinking, 'What can you do?' It's up to the authorities to take action. We've reported it, so let's see what happens."

Source – Sky Sports

WIGAN V SPURS || MATCH PREVIEW ||

2008-09-21T10:52:00.001+01:00

After the lack of team training for last weeks Sunderland game due to Internationals, this week, Latics are fully prepared to take on Spurs at White Hart Lane this Sunday. Ironically the last four visits to White Hart Lane have been on a Sunday due to Uefa Cup Commitments.

Spurs are currently bottom of the League table despite recently spending £70m on new players making this the worst start to the season.
Whilst Latics being 12th in the League table will still have to play well to pull off a win, last season they lost 4-0 but that was after the upset of Chris Hutchings sacking and was 3 weeks away from Steve Bruce’s arrival
Zaky will work hard as always, he is currently ranked joint top of the Premier League scoring table with Jermaine Defoe.
Heskey and Zaky are expected to start up front.
Ryan Taylor is still unable to play due to a knee injury and also the former Spurs man Erik Edman will also miss the game.
Michael Brown will replace Lee Cattermole in Centre Midfield after his suspension at the Sunderland game.
How will we fair???

Source – amrzaky.com

Zaki deal in place for Latics

2008-09-21T10:50:00.001+01:00

Wigan owner Dave Whelan insists the club have first option on Egyptian striker Amr Zaki.

The powerful front-man is currently on a season-long loan at JJB Stadium from El Zamalek and has proven to be an instant hit in English football.

Four goals in as many top flight matches have seen the 25-year-old draw admiring glances from a host of top clubs, raising fears that the African ace may be tempted away from the Latics.

However, Whelan is adamant Steve Bruce's side are in pole position to sign a player he believes is in the same mould as Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.

Attributes

"We have got the right to buy him and are not worried about the situation," said the Latics owner in the Daily Star Sunday.

"There is a deal in place. The fans love him and as far as I'm concerned he is Alan Shearer the second.

"He is built like him. He has the same attributes and he knows where the goal is. When you watched Alan play he was always in the right place at the right time and this lad is the same.

"You just seem to know that he will score. He is powerful and he can smash them in. he is a very clever player.

"Whether that generates interest from big clubs I don't know. But it's a nice problem to have.

"We can do a deal in January. Steve Bruce is a shrewd manager. If he does a deal, all the fine points are sorted out. There are no loose ends."

Source – Sky Sports

Dave Whelan and Steve Bruce praise Zaky

2008-09-20T23:49:00.000+01:00

Zaki - I feel at home

2008-09-20T18:10:00.001+01:00

Amr Zaki has dampened early speculation surrounding his future, insisting that he remains fully committed to Wigan Athletic.

The Egyptian striker's blistering start to his debut season in England's top flight has seen him hit four goals in as many Premier League matches.

Zaki joined the Latics on a season-long loan from Zamalek and his impressive form has sparked rumours linking him with a move to a larger club come the end of the campaign.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce had claimed the side had an option to secure Zaki on a permanent basis; however Zamalek chairman Mamdouh Abbas has since denied the claims, casting further doubt over the 25-year-old's future.

Determination

Zaki, though, is adamant that he is 100 per cent committed to the Lancashire outfit, and has stated he would even turn down the opportunity to join Manchester United in order to remain with the club.

He said in the Daily Mail: "If any other club came in for me I would still want to stay at Wigan. I feel at home here.

"Yes, even Manchester United, even though Steve Bruce used to play there.

"I cannot believe the determination of Steve Bruce. He spent six months trying to sign me.

"Now I want to show him that I am worth all his efforts. Zamalek didn't want me to go, I begged them because I wanted to play in England.

"Every match is a new challenge for me - it does not matter what I did in the last one.

Stars

"It's an honour to be playing against all these good defenders, who are stars at their own club. This is the strongest league in the world.

"I would like you to please thank all the team, who include me in everything even if I can't tell sometimes what they are saying to me, and especially the fans, because they have sent me a lot of love.

"A centre-forward has no limits on how many goals he can score. I want to score every match."

Source – Sky Sports

Bruce Realistic Over Heskey

2008-09-20T18:09:00.001+01:00

Manager Steve Bruce admits Wigan may have to cash in on star striker Emile Heskey in the January transfer window.

The England international is out of contract at the end of the season and was linked with a £10million move last month to Tottenham, who Wigan face at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Bruce insists there was no formal approach from Spurs before the transfer deadline, but given Heskey could leave for free next summer, the Latics boss accepts he would have to consider any serious offers for the 30-year-old in January.

"That's when you need your chairman to understand the situation," said Bruce.

"If somebody's going to offer us £10million, for instance, in January, then I've got a decision to make.

"That certainly wasn't the case in the summer so there wasn't a decision to make.

"There's got to be a buyer and it's got to be an offer big enough to take away an England centre-forward in the middle of the season.

"It's a big, big decision to make on behalf of the club but one that you have to consider if it happens."

Bruce understands Heskey's stance of keeping his options open over his contract but is hopeful that when the time comes, he can convince the former Liverpool man to extend his stay at the JJB Stadium.

"I think the position is quite clear and if I was still a player I might be edging towards doing the same thing myself," he added.

"With the Bosman ruling, he's quite within his rights to say 'I've got 10 months left, I'm going to see what develops'.

"As long as he keeps producing as he is doing for us then I'll offer him a deal tomorrow - he knows that.

"But he's entitled to keep his options open and see where the club is at the end of the season.

"I know he's really enjoying himself at the moment and he's probably in the best physical condition he's ever been in.

"He's playing as well as he ever has done and got himself back in the England team, so all of that bodes well for us."

Source – Yahoo! Sport / Eurosport

Bruce Prepared For Backlash

2008-09-20T18:08:00.001+01:00

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is wary of Tottenham's foreign legion finding their form at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Spurs will be looking for their first Barclays Premier League win of the season after making their worst start in 34 years.

Coach Juande Ramos has splashed out over £60million this summer, although Croatia midfielder Luka Modric and Russia striker Roman

Pavlyuchenko have yet to make their mark.

Bruce has helped players from Ecuador, Egypt and Honduras adapt to the English game at Wigan, and the former Birmingham boss believes Spurs fans must be patient before Ramos' signings pay off.

"When you're making big changes it takes time to settle," said Bruce.

"I don't care what player you are, when you're coming from Russia or other parts of Europe then you need time.

"We've experienced that here. For instance, when Wilson Palacios was at Birmingham he took three or four months to settle.

"And we had Maynor Figueroa here for five months before we gave him his debut against Manchester United last season.

"You have to let them get used to the conditions, to what's expected of them and, most importantly, to try to adapt to the English way of life.

"Believe me, that's not easy because we're a strange race, and us English are hopeless at trying to adapt when we go and live abroad.

"It's a very difficult time to get them all gelling and playing the way you want to, and patience is the key.

"We're only four games in. If you're talking about eight to 12 games then you can start analysing it more deeply."

Wigan have not won in three previous visits to White Hart Lane, losing 4-0 there last November to give Ramos his first league win as Spurs boss.

But the Latics pulled off a 5-0 victory at Hull in their last away game and Spurs have taken just a point from their opening four league outings this season.

"That shows everybody how the Premier League is because Tottenham have spent a fortune on players," said Bruce.

"They won't be there at the end of the season, but it shows anybody is capable in this league of going three, four or five games without a win.

"There will come a time when we might go four, five or six games very easily.

"So we are under no illusion that in going to Spurs we will have to play well to get anything from the game.

"They gave us an absolute hiding last year, so I hope we can turn the tables.

"The longer it goes without us giving them any encouragement it becomes more dificult for them, especially when they've had a poor start," he added.

"Spurs have certainly got some fantastic individual players that can win any game of football so we know it's going to be difficult.

"We haven't got the best of records there so we've got to go down there and make sure we play like we have been. If we do that then I know Tottenham will be in for a game."

Bruce has a selection dilemma in midfield with Lee Cattermole serving a one-match ban after being sent off in last week's 1-1 draw at home against Sunderland.

Michael Brown, Olivier Kapo, Jason Koumas and Paul Scharner are all in contention to partner Wilson Palacios in centre midfield, with

Brown hoping to face his former club.

Source – Yahoo! Sport / Eurosport

Bruce realistic over hitman Heskey

2008-09-20T18:07:00.001+01:00

Manager Steve Bruce admits Wigan may have to cash in on star striker Emile Heskey in the January transfer window.The England international is out of contract at the end of the season and was linked with a £10million move last month to Tottenham, who Wigan face at White Hart Lane on Sunday.