It's a game we can win says manager
The league defeat at Doncaster Rovers in midweek has reinforced Paul Dickov's belief that Latics can beat the same opponents in tomorrow's FA Cup with Budweiser, second-round tie.Latics' manager says he took plenty of positives from the 1-0 loss at the Keepmoat Stadium four days before their at Boundary Park which he has described as their "cup final."
Given that Latics and other clubs at their level are struggling financially in these tough economic times, a lucrative cup run can help massively as last season's third-round match at Liverpool proved as it provided a much needed cash windfall.
"Tomorrow is our cup final because it is a game which is massively important to the club financially," he explained.
Dickov, whose side more than matched a Doncaster side which went joint top after their victory, said: "I took a lot of positives from the way we played at Doncaster who have been grinding out a lot of good results and scoring a lot of goals.
"To match them and defend the way we did was pleasing. They know they will be in for a tough game tomorrow."
Latics lost to a hotly-disputed goal from David Cotterill whose quickly-taken free kick caught them out.
The one area Dickov is looking to improve will be in attack as he looks for more creativity in the side, something he says was lacking at Doncaster.
He explained: "For all our good play defensively and in the middle at Doncaster, we left Matt Derbyshire too isolated which we cannot afford to do that.
"Matt is a fantastic player and we need to get bodies in and around him."
Dickov says the dynamics of the game will be different to Tuesday due to suspensions.
He believes Doncaster will miss the attacking prowess of midfield man David Cotterill, their eight-goal top scorer, and striker Iain Hume, though he says Dean Saunders has assembled a strong squad.
Dickov points to the substitutes Doncaster had against them in midweek - they included Northern Ireland international Sammy Clingan, Robbie Blake and Jamie McCombe.
Latics are hit defensively as they will be without goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, who was sent off at the Keepmoat and Cliff Byrne who collected his fifth yellow card.
Dickov says in many ways the pressure is off his players.
He said: "We know after Tuesday, it is a game we can win, even though everybody from outside will be looking on us as the underdogs as Doncaster are the division's form team.
"I am also aware that when you play two games in a row against a team in a short space of time, it is very rare a team wins both of them."