Manager Stephen Robinson knows tomorrow’s game against Scunthorpe United will be a tough test but will take confidence from already beating the league leaders this season.
Goals from Freddie Ladapo and Lee Erwin earlier in the season was enough to seal three points for Athletic on a Tuesday night at SportsDirect.com Park.
Whilst the reverse game was only a month ago, it is still fresh in the memory and the manager believes his side go into the game without fear.
He said: “Their home record is fantastic and I don’t think they have been beaten at home but we are the only team this season, bar Charlton, are the only team that has stopped them scoring this season.
"That bodes well for us as we have the best clean sheet record in the league. We are not overly fearful of them.
“We know what they are about and we fully respect them.
"Graham Alexander has done a great job with them but if we can perform to the same level as last time as we have beaten them already then we will do the same thing again.
“The next two games are very difficult but there is a quiet confidence amongst the group.
“We have slowly built up results, we can’t dictate that some of those games were in the cup but we have won five, drawn one and lost three in the last nine games so we just need to build on that.
“Hopefully the luck turns our way and who knows.”
The manager has had some positive news on the injury front as well. “We have a fully fit squad but we have a couple of little niggles,” he commented.
“Ousmane Fane has a slight niggle but Paul Green is back in training again but maybe this game will be too early for him, we’ll decide that today.
“We have got a lot of competition for places, Carl Winchester is back and fit again. He was unfortunate when we started him, he came off with a slight hamstring tear.
"We have a busy period coming up and everyone will be needed.”
Decisions have not gone for Latics so far this season and during the week, the gaffer received a letter from the referee’s committee.
“Apparently we should have had two penalties against Shrewsbury Town, one against Bradford City and the Bristol Rovers goal at home should have been disallowed for a foul on Lee Erwin.
“I don’t know if it’s good or bad that they are telling us that now but I suppose they are looking at themselves and trying to better themselves.
“|The referees don’t probably have the Premier League money thrown at them for the training or anything so they are all doing their best, I don’t think anyone goes out to make errors but I’m not sure whether it makes it much easier to take.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.