Manager John Sheridan believes the club’s home form could prove important against Sheffield United on Saturday.
The Blades sit top of Sky Bet League One, five points clear of Bolton Wanderers in second place and they travel to SportsDirect.com Park with confidence.
However, Sheridan’s side will be buoyed by the fact they have only lost one out of their last nine games which includes three wins and two draws at home.
The manager said: “Chris Wilder is someone I get on with really well with, he’s a good mate of mine is doing a brilliant job there and I think they’re already promoted anyway in my eyes.
“You can look at the table, but if you look at the form guide we’ve probably both in the top six in form so that’s the way I look at it.
“Since I’ve come in the players have done brilliant for me, we’ve got a good home record since I’ve come back, hopefully we can continue that.
“It’ll be a great atmosphere they’ve got good supporters they’ll be really loud and it’s a game if you're a player that you really want to play in.
“We’ve got nothing to lose, we go out there and keep performing the way we have."
One man who is in form for Latics is striker Lee Erwin who has netted four goals in his last four games.
“He’s a striker, he should be wanting to score goals, I tell him to play upfront and I want him to play upfront,” commented Sheridan.
“His goals are good goals and they’re different as well. He’s got two inside the six yard box against Oxford, his goal was a great goal and his movement last week, great finished volley left foot against Northampton.
“The strikers get the freedom of me telling them to play upfront, I don’t want them chasing full backs. I think Lee appreciates that and I think it’s something he wants to hear me saying.
“Hopefully he keeps doing what he’s doing because he’s putting the ball in the back of the net which is good for us."
Anthony Gerrard and Aaron Amadi-Holloway limped off last week whilst Rob Hunt missed the game with a hamstring injury.
The manager gave an update on their situations: “We’ll just have to wait and see, give them as long as we can,” he said.
“I think Anthony will be ok, we’ll see how Holloway is and we’ll see how Hunty is. We will give them as long as possible and I’m hoping they’ve got a chance.
“I’ve said before it’s about my squad, I don’t just talk about the 11.
“If they are not fit, it gives someone else a chance and hopefully they come in and give a good performance and help us to get the result we’re after and give me a problem of what team I pick.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.