Manager Stephen Robinson knows the importance of getting a win for the supporters tomorrow afternoon as he takes his side to the Crown Oil Arena to face local rivals Rochdale.
The gaffer already has local bragging rights with victory away at Bury earlier this season and he hopes to add Rochdale to that.
He said: “We are looking forward to the game and it’s one we will take a lot of fans to.
“They will make a lot of noise, just like they did against Bury and hopefully we get the same result and we will have the local bragging rights.
“As a staff, it is only three points unfortunately, we didn’t get seven for beating Bury but we are well aware how important it is to the fans.
“Being down at the pub and being able to give your mates some stick is massive so we hope to send our fans away happy on Saturday.”
However, the manager does know that it will be a tough game against Rochdale, who sit in ninth position.
“Up until the last couple of weeks they have been on a really good run but we know how tight this division is,” he commented.
“They are a good organised side so credit to Keith Hill and the staff, they punch above their weight every year, they have a similar budget to us in the lower third of the division.
“They produce players year in year out so we know it’s going to be a tough game but we will be more than prepared for that. We are good away from home and we’ve been consistent since I’ve come in.
“We have had the lions share of possession away from home and they play with a little bit more freedom so hopefully they will reproduce that.”
Robinson has had good news from the medical department this week: “Crofty is back training but I wouldn’t say he is 100% match fit,” he said.
“He has trained the last two days and done the full session on Wednesday so we will have another look at him before we make any decisions.
“Credit to the boys and the medical staff for the way they look after them.
“I have another fully strength squad to pick from so it’s a nice problem to have but we are looking forward to someone stepping up to the plate and taking the game by the scruff of the neck.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.