Christmas is still two weeks away, but Wigan face a critical game against QPR today.
Harry Redknapp has ridden like a white knight to the rescue of QPR, whose form has shown signs of revival with two consecutive draws. Wigan's form has been erratic, although the last two defeats - against Manchester City and Newcastle - were by no means humiliating. Small changes in fortune could have produced different results.
Wigan face a testing programme in December against a background of injuries, exacerbated this week by suspensions. There will certainly be a makeshift defence today, and very likely a reshaped midfield too. It's difficult to predict the team, but Wigan might line up;
Al Habsi
Boyce Lopez Beausejour
Stam McCarthy McArthur Jones
Kone Di Santo Gomez
There won't be much experience on the substitutes bench.
QPR will come out with growing confidence. In the circumstances, I will go home happy with a draw. But some positive results are required from the three games against QPR, Norwich and Aston Villa. Otherwise, we shall all be facing sleepless nights in the new year.
Wigan home to QPR
posted on 8/12/12
Think QPR I'll get something out of this and I think they'll win it, if Arry is goingto keep them up then these are the games the they need to win
posted on 8/12/12
I think your reference to Redknapp being a white knight is a bit premature. Yes, two draws but they were against Sunderland and Villa. Now, a win today and just maybe he will be a white knight.
posted on 9/12/12
Another exciting game at Wigan. Both teams showed that they can play at Premier League level. Wigan's injury-hit team generally coped well with QPR, though lapses by Lopez let in QPR for both goals.
In the circumstances, the draw is an acceptable result for Wigan. It's a better result for Wigan than QPR.
But Wigan are in growing need of a win. Southampton beat Reading to go ahead of Wigan on goal difference. Sunderland play Reading on Tuesday. If Sunderland win, they too will go above Wigan, leaving them in the bottom three.