Manager Richie Wellens has drummed into his players the significance of getting a win this weekend against Doncaster Rovers.
Latics sit in the bottom four on goal difference with two games left to spare, however, face Rovers this weekend who have lost their last two games.
Wellens said: “The players are well aware (of the significance). Over the last six games people have been saying you must win this one, you must win that one so we are aware of it.
“Other clubs are going through the same scenario and we have players who have been through this before.
“In terms of me, I try and take the pressure off the players so it’s another game we have to win.”
Whilst Doncaster Rovers are safe in Sky Bet League One, the manager does not expect them to relax and take their foot off the gas.
“Doncaster don’t really change their formation,” he commented. “They have got some good players; Marquis for me is one of the top three strikers in the league and he is a big threat.
“They have some technical midfield players who are good at this level so we will have to be tighter than we were on Tuesday night. We will have to do better on Saturday.”
Wellens will come up against a familiar face in the dugout on Saturday. “Darren (Ferguson) is a fantastic coach and intense on the training ground and has a lot of similarities with his dad.
“He has been a successful manager and won promotions. When I was at Doncaster he got relegated but brought them straight back up.
“Doncaster stuck with him, they came back up and I think they would have liked to finish higher this season.
“It’s a season of consolidation for him and I’m sure he will be looking to build for next season.”