Latics' captain up for the fight
Latics' captain Dean Furman is ready for a "scrap" as they head for Hartlepool United tomorrow for a npower League One clash involving two bottom-four teams.Furman admitted it is a massive match with both Latics and Hartlepool both in need of a pick-me-up after both suffered heavy defeats on Saturday.
He said: "It is a very important game for both clubs.
"We were in this situation before early in the season before we were on a real high last month showing good form, picking up points and moving up the table.
"There will be no better time to getting back to winning ways than tomorrow before we are back here on Saturday.
"Every team is scrapping for their lives and for points. They have a new manager who will have new ideas and they will be looking to put things right after losing heavily on Saturday."
Furman added it was "disappointing" to be suspended for the defeat at Bournemouth after picking up his fifth booking of the season at home to Tranmere.
The midfield man, who listened to the match commentary on Latics Player, said: "We did well in the first half but once they scored their first goal early in the second half our heads went down.
"Suddenly we were 4-0 down and we cannot allow that to happen. We can only put things right with a good performance tomorrow."
Furman pointed out they showed against Crewe, Preston and Sheffield United last month they could match anybody in League One.
He continued: "For some reason we have slipped whether it be through lack of form or concentration.
"It has not been good enough, but we can put it right with a good performance at Hartlepool."
Furman admitted everybody was down yesterday when the players reported for training.
He said: "We will have a good training session today and try to put a smile back on everybody's faces and be ready for tomorrow.
"And if I am back in the side, you can be rest assured I will give it my all."
He continued: "For some reason we have slipped whether it be through lack of form or concentration.
"It has not been good enough, but we can put it right with a good performance at Hartlepool."
Furman admitted everybody was down yesterday when the players reported for training.
He said: "We will have a good training session today and try to put a smile back on everybody's faces and be ready for tomorrow.
"And if I am back in the side, you can be rest assured I will give it my all."