First team manager Dean Holden admitted Saturday's encounter with Crewe Alexandra could be the turning point as he aims to halt Latics' slide down the League One table.
Since the departure of former manager Lee Johnson, Latics have suffered four defeats in their last five games which has hindered the club's play off aspirations but he is hoping Saturday's game could be the turning point to get the season back on track.
Holden said: "It's a big game, absolutely. They all are now. We have struggled this year against teams we were expected to beat. On current form we are in a poor run of form but the message doesn't change.
"You go out there and win your one v one battles and you give everything. You don't take defeat lying down and the biggest thing for me is that the lads give everything.
"Three points turns our season around. It wasn't long ago that we all went to Port Vale and we were proud as punch at the end of the game.
"It was a great performance, clean sheet and a real battling performance and we've been away from that over the last couple of games so that's what we are looking to get back to."
Holden has had to man-manage the players to get the best out of them and is challenging his players to come up with a response to please supporters.
"The lads are as disappointed as any the run of form we are on but every time you suffer adversity, it gives people a chance to respond. That's the challenge for us now and absolutely the lads are behind it," commented the 35-year-old.
"In training they are looking the part, it's just going into a matchday it's a lack of confidence because of the results if we are honest. It's all about picking the lads up and making sure we are in fine form ahead of Crewe on Saturday."
Jake Kean limped out of Tuesday night's game with MK Dons and Holden admits he could be struggling to play at the weekend.
"As it stands at the moment, he has a lot of swelling in his knee so he has lost a lot of movement as you would do. We are having conversations behind the scenes of what to do. Joel has come in and made his debut and I'm pleased for him," expressed Holden.
"He's now a man and stood up to the test. It was a tough time coming in against MK Dons but I was pleased with him. He came in there and showed us what he can do so now the decision is, do you throw him in for his full debut in the circumstances we are in? You have to judge that as a manager and hopefully we'll come up with the right decision."
Watch the full interview on Latics Player.