Wigan Athletic manager Gary Caldwell has insisted that his players continue to believe they can survive the relegation battle when they travel to Millwall tonight.
The Latics managed a 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday which saw them come from behind twice but they will want to turn that sort of play into three points at the Den, vital if they are to make up their seven-point deficit to Rotherham with four games remaining.
Caldwell has admitted that Millwall will be a very tough challenge but the team need to use these last few games to exercise the club motto, ‘we believe’.
“While there’s hope there is belief and we will approach the game with the intention of getting the three points,” said the Scotsman.
“All of us, players, coaches and supporters, need to keep believing. That’s what we do at this club, we believe, that’s become the club motto over the last few years, hasn’t it?”
Millwall are also struggling down in the relegation zone with the same amount of points as Wigan so both sides will be battling to prove their worth in the Championship.
With so much riding on the game, Caldwell has said that the supporters will be vital just as they were in the Premier League when Wigan were in a similar position.
He added: “The supporters have a huge role to play. I remember in the Premier League when we were up against it at the end of the season, they came to greet us before games and it gave us a massive boost.
“Millwall is one of the hardest places to go, their fans are passionate and the atmosphere will be electric, especially with so much riding on the game.”
Blackpool have already been relegated, but who else will be joining them is far from certain with teams such as Rotherham and Fulham still in danger of falling.
However Caldwell has emphasised that it is not about other teams, it is about focusing completely on what you have to do as a team and if Wigan are positive, the possibilities are endless.
“I’ve experienced similar situations before and it really is a case of being completely positive in everything you do, and believing in yourself,” he added.
“We have to stay focused completely on what we do, not any other teams. This is a time for sticking together, all of us.”
Main image courtesy of Wigan Athletic via YouTube, with thanks.
