Manager Stephen Robinson wants to give fans the best Christmas present of all, three points on Boxing Day against Sheffield United.
Fans have travelled in their numbers to support the team this year and the manager wants to repay their loyalty with three points against the Blades on Monday.
He said: "I think the supporters have been terrific with myself and the team. We haven’t given them much to cheer about, let’s be honest.
“The cup competitions have given us a bit of hope that we might get to Wembley and we’d love to give the fans something to cheer about.
"They come out in their numbers and they have been terrific. It’s our turn to give them something to cheer about on Boxing Day.
"Let’s be honest, Christmas is dictated by results. My families are, my kids are so it’s massive.
“We know how important results are to people, it’s a relief from everyday life so we intend to give them that and I can promise we will be a hard working side that will battle for every ball.”
Sheffield United will be a tough test for Robinson’s men but he believes his players can cause the Blades a lot of problems.
“If we put in the level of performance that I know we can then we can give them a hard game,” he commented. “I’ve watched them a few times, mainly against Bolton and Coventry, and they are a good footballing side.
"They have pace, energy and have boys upfront who can score goals. If you look at any team up the top of the table then you can see that goals separate the teams.
"Nile Ranger has been the difference for Southend, like we saw on Saturday. His goal on Saturday wasn’t a fluke on Saturday and that’s the difference.
"If you have someone who can do that for you then that’s why they are up the top end of the table. We need to be very aware of Sheffield United’s threats.
"If we put in the level of performance that I know we can then we can give them a hard game.
"I will shuffle the pack and there needs to be changes. There needs to be an energy in the team and people that need to win second balls and tackles.
“That’s the least that needs to be expected if people are going to travel on Boxing Day so that commitment is a minimum.”
In terms of the training schedule this festive period, the gaffer explained: “They train twice on a Monday, twice on a Tuesday and twice on a Wednesday.
“They do a lot of strengthening stuff in the gym now, it is an aspect of our game which I think our players aren’t physical enough so they are doing that on a regular basis now.
“They are doing the yoga now for injury prevention which is another double session on a Wednesday which everyone can see the benefits of our injury list at the moment, touch wood.
“They are working hard on the training pitch so over Christmas you have to be aware it is a family time but I got a letter from a fan today to say he was driving a van at 2am and came to watch us last Saturday.
“He was disappointed with the result so that shows the dedication the fans have got so they will get the equal amounts from the dedication the players put in over Christmas.
"They are in New Year’s Day, potentially Christmas Day and Christmas Eve but that’s the nature of the fixture list. You have to be in and be prepared.
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.