Manager John Sheridan admitted Saturday’s game against Fleetwood Town is a massive game.
Only a point separates the two sides and Athletic know that a win can possibly take them five points clear of the relegation places with four games remaining.
Sheridan said: “It’s a team who is in and around us, it’s a massive game and we are going to take a massive following.
“People have probably been looking at this game because it’s closer to the end of the season and they are where we are so if we can get the three points it gives us the advantage.
“We’re in a position where if the season finishes tomorrow, we are safe so that’s all I’m worried.
“It will be a tough game against Fleetwood Town, they have had some good results of late and have some good players but it will be like a home game for us so we will be going for the three points.”
Latics will be backed by around 1,400 supporters at Fleetwood on Saturday and the gaffer paid tribute to those following.
“We are all together,” he explained. “We have all dragged ourselves to the position that we are in at the moment and we have got to continue that for the next four or five games.
“I know we will have a massive support and they won’t shut up all game.
“I want to keep us in the division because the supporters have supported us really well and hopefully that can continue towards the end of the season."
The defeat to Barnsley in midweek ended the club’s four game unbeaten run, but also came at an extra cost due to injuries picked up.
The most serious looking injury was to Brian Wilson who had to be stretchered off with a neck injury but the gaffer confirmed: “Brian is alright.
“An impact injury can be sore for one or two hours and we’ve all had an injury where a couple of hours later you are fine.
“It looked a bad one on Brian and you’ve got to be careful with them sorts of injuries, and the physio and doctor did the best they could and got him to the hospital.
“The lads who played in the game are not going to do much today, anyway.
"If you look at the three that went off, and James Wilson towards the end, you would have thought they would have been struggling but that’s not the case. We hope one or two of them will be fit for Saturday.
"Winchester was his knee, it’s not too serious but it’s tender so we will have to see. James Wilson’s ankle is tender but we’ll wait and see and hope he’s okay.
“Mike Jones took a knock to his ribs, luckily they are not broken but they are bruised and in pain so we will have to wait and see.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.