Wigan Athletic manager Malky Mackay insists his side must remain fearless as they prepare to face two promotion contenders just four days apart.
The Latics face Middlesbrough away today and host Derby County on Easter Monday in the midst of a tight battle at both ends of the table.
Mackay’s men are five points from safety in the Sky Bet Championship but Mackay has said that his side must use their win on the road against fourth-placed Norwich City as motivation for the battle.
“We’ve got to make sure that we go there and give a good account of ourselves and hold no fear,” said the Scotsman.
“We need to go there and give a similar performance to the one we gave at Norwich and I know Aitor Karanka won’t be taking us lightly; they need every point they can get right now, as do we.”
Mackay has been without several players recently who have been out representing their countries during the international break.
Striker James McClean is one such player who has also missed the last two fixtures through suspension and the boss is pleased to be able to welcome one of his best men back into the side.
“James has been one of my best players since I arrived at the football club and over the last couple of games we’ve lost his pace and lost his firepower so it will be good to get him back,” he added.
Middlesbrough lie two points away from the top spot in third place while Derby sit in fifth, but neither side are faultless.
Boro have lost four of their last ten games and the Rams are haven’t won since the end of February so Wigan have no reason to think that they cannot get themselves out of trouble by Tuesday.
Mackay added: “This weekend we’re playing against two of the best teams in the league that’s undoubted.
“From my point of view, I have to focus solely on Middlesbrough now and then, the minute the game has finished, we’ll look at the players’ recovery right away so that they’re available on Monday.”
Main image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks.
