Youth team boss Tony Philliskirk admits his side are confident going into their FA Youth Cup third round clash with Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.
The young Latics face the Cherries tonight at SportsDirect.com Park (7pm kick off) looking to progress to the fourth round of the competition to face Luton Town.
After the tie had to be rearranged twice due to a waterlogged pitch, Philliskirk revealed his side are full of confidence going into the clash.
He said: “It’s a very big game tonight and the lads are chomping at the bit, especially after it being a long break between the last round and this.
"It’s also been postponed two times so the lads cannot wait to pit their wits against Premier League opposition.
"We have hardly played, though. We’ve had one game since then due to the weather so the lads are looking forward to the game.
“The break has allowed all the players to recover from their injuries and bar one or two, they are all available for selection tonight so that’s the positive.”
Bournemouth currently lie in 4th position in the South West Youth Alliance league and they are a strong side, according to the youth team boss.
“They are a very good team and they play really good football,” Philliskirk admitted. “We’ve watched several DVD’s of them play and they play very expansive football and that’s a philosophy that goes right through their club.
“They are a Premier League club and they have some very good players so we are under no illusions that we go into the game underdogs, but at the start of the season, your aim is to get to the third round of the competition and draw a top level team, and we’ve done that.
"Now we are here, we want to put on a good performance. The stage is for the boys tonight. It gives them an opportunity to go out in front of their families, senior management and numerous scouts from other clubs and show what they have got.
“It’s going to be a tough game but there is good spirit within the group and hopefully they will give a good account of themselves.”
Supporters heading to tonight’s game can gain access via the turnstiles in the George Hill stand.
However, if you cannot attend the game, you can follow live text updates via Latics Wall.