Top-flight Wigan provide ‘big test’

ROD MacDONALD

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov believes his side will have their work cut out to match Wigan at Boundary Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The Premier League outfit had an up-and-down season last year but managed to avoid relegation for the third term running, claiming superb victories over Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal along the way.

With a squad packed with internationals — including new £7million striker Mauro Boselli — the ‘other Latics’ should provide another stiff test in what is the home side’s fourth pre-season friendly.

Dickov, who is looking for a positive response from his squad to a disappointing display against Falkirk on Saturday, said: “It will be a big test as was last Monday’s friendly against Burnley.

“Roberto Martinez has done a fantastic job to keep Wigan, an unfashionable club, in the Premier League.

“He has done so by playing good football and you can be sure they will play an attractive, passing game. It will be good to see how we cope.”

Wigan spent four days last week in Sweden performing high-intensity training and rounded off their trip with a 3-2 friendly win over Östersunds, a third division side managed by former Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town midfielder Lee Makel.

The visitors’ all-South American strike duo will provide Athletic’s defence — set to feature trialist centre-backs Rod MacDonald and Jason Jarrett once again — with plenty to think about.

Colombian Hugo Rodallega, reportedly a one-time target for Arsenal, scored 11 times in the Premier League last season including vital strikes in those wins over Chelsea and Liverpool.

And Boselli hit the ground running in his first turn-out in a Wigan shirt, scoring twice against Östersunds. The 25-year-old twice-capped Argentina international arrived at the DW Stadium from Estudiantes, the club where he won the Copa Libertadores in 2009 while also finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.

Wigan are currently waiting on a work permit for Paraguay’s World Cup star defender Antolin Alcaraz, but other internationals at manager Martinez’s disposal include Wales midfielder Jason Koumas and left-sided former Newcastle man Charles N’Zogbia.

Athletic will play in the away kit of navy blue and tangerine tonight at the request of Wigan, as the visitors’ away kit has yet to arrive from their suppliers.

Admission for tonight’s match is £10 adults and £5 pensioners, with under-16s gaining free entry in the Detect-All Chaddy End.




Injured winger Chris Taylor has not recovered in time to make tonight’s game, while on-trial right-back Lanre Oyebanjo has returned to Histon.



Athletic: Brill; Lee, Hazell, Jarrett, Black; Jones, Furman, Stephens, Alessandra; Feeney, Brooke. Subs: Fleming, Lomax, Fodor, MacDonald, Kompany, Worthington, Millar, Abbott, Eaves.