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Talbot raises survival stakes

7/ 4/2004

LATICS tackle fellow-strugglers Peterborough United and Stockport County this weekend in games that will prove crucial to their second division survival battle.

With clubs in the drop zone picking up points, Latics remain one of at least nine clubs fighting to avoid relegation to the football league's basement.

Seven points separate eight sides at present and manager Brian Talbot has already revised his estimate of what is required.

"At the start of the season I thought 50 points would be enough", he said, "but I have changed my mind, I now think we need 52."

"We've got to try and get three wins. We have four home games and that is the key to our survival."

"If we are being honest it will go to the last game of the season, unfortunately."

"Since I have taken over our away form has been good but the problem has been at home where we have to take the game to the opposition, create chances and be clever."

"At home we have the responsibility to win the game and we haven't been able to do that."

"We are in a relegation dogfight, we have to battle and it's not going to be easy."

"Our fate is in our hands as we play Stockport, Notts County, Chesterfield and Peterborough and that's the way you would always want it to be."

"At times we have passed the ball without any purpose."

"Your football should take you to the opposition's area and maybe we pass the ball across the pitch too much."

"We need to get behind teams more and play in their half more."

Striker Wes Wilkinson has knee ligament damage and may have to play through the pain for the remainder of the season while Chris Killen, Kieran Westwood and Rob Walker are all set to resume training after Easter, as is long-term injury victim Matty Appleby.