Well last night we confirmed officially that we would be going into yet another Premier League season. There has been a lot of media coverage around the club recently talking about how well we have been doing (the players) and how Roberto Martinez has turned the club round tactically, while Whelan has backed the manger every step of the way.

Now how may that all be true, and it really is! This could very well be the side we always felt Martinez could produce with a heart of gold and that open passing style of football, that we were promised and have emphatically got. Not just off the manager in principle, but now the players in practice.

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With only a few hours to the game, I am quiet looking forward to it (I hope). It was in a way a good Sunday yesterday for Wigan. Bolton's failure to win was a big plus, but that was counter balanced by QPR winning. Had both of them drawn, then a point against Blackburn tonight would keep us up beyond all doubt.

Now however it won't. That is unless Bolton manage to score nine past Stoke City, and QPR managed to stop Manchester City from winning the title at Loftus Road.

So there are a still lot of if buts and maybes attached to the game and the survival race. Ideally we want three points, that relegates Blackburn (I am sure we would all lose sleep over that) and means that we would be safe beyond all doubt and could go into a final game against Wolves free to play how we wish, and for once enjoy ourselves.

That is of course we win at Ewood Park, a ground we have yet to win at since being in the Premier League. I am sure the lads will want to put that right, and show the cameras just how well they can play.

Keep the Faith!

Well its been one hell of a season, and the really annoying thing is that yet again, as Wigan get into form its the end of the season. But at least it means we are up for the fight to stay in the Premier League for an eight consecutive season. Not bad for a 'rugby town' is it.

So with survival very much on my mind. I am going to take my second look at what we can expect from the last few remaining games or two in most cases (three if your Bolton Wanderers, and their game in hand could change everything). Two weeks ago I gave my verdict on how the table would finish at the bottom look at each teams fixture list. Following two weeks worth of games, I am not so sure anymore.

The one thing we know now, is that Wolves will not be taking a part in the final day shuffle to stay up. They fought so hard, but hard wasn't good enough and they have dropped down back to the Championship. Sorry to see them go, but these things happen.

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Its always a sad time when you get relegated. Although as Wigan fans that experiences is very rare (touch wood). But this post is not to gloat over Wolverhampton Wanderers who fought well and hard for their fans today and everyday and really in my eyes are a better team than some above them. But then the table doesn't lie.

What I am going to say though, is just what it shows you about modern day football and the knee jerk reaction that Chairman especially take over a teams performances.

The point in question is down to the sacking of Mick McCarthy from Wolves in February and since then Wolves have done nothing but slid down the table. And I believe it was that decision that has sent them down.

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Just like the weekend when thousands of people across the UK and the world were betting on the most historic race in the world, the grand national, the element of luck and poise is now coming into the race for Premier League survival. You are probably all now thinking what is he on about? Well let me explain...

You see the run in towards the end of the season always comes down to three things. Fitness, momentum and simple and pure luck. The five teams which are fighting it out for survival all have to gather up what they have for each of three elements to slog towards a last day survival.

So with that in mind I took a look down the table and what each teams chances are of survival, with the games to come, and how they are shaping up.

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Now since about Christmas, Roberto has started to use this tactic. I read a post over the time that it was a similar style to which Italian club Napoli were playing with. And they are doing pretty well with it (sitting in fifth in Serie A). So what is so good about this system?

Well I am going to have a look how three players have managed to be the bed rock of the second half of Wigan Athletic season. I know me getting technical, it doesn't happen very often. But when you look at the stats it makes for good reading.

Since the turn of the year we have had a much better for card than before hand. But we haven't lost seven on the trot so its not hard to beat that. But what we have also beat, is the number of goals we have conceded and scored. Even after a bad start to the year. We eventually managed to turn it around.

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And so is the world of football. This time last week the Wigan fan population were ready to say goodbye to the Premier League. Really the last chance we had of winning a game before the end of April was gone and all hope of staying up and gone with it. But then seven days late and a 90 minutes which Wigan fans are likely to forget in a hurry. That feeling of belief and hope have returned to the DW Stadium.

Not too dissimilar from last year were a 2-1 against Birmingham in March lifted us up and pushed us on to lose just two of our remaining eight games, picking up twelve points which saw us stay up for our seventh season. Now with eight games to play we have to do it all over again, But this time we have to play three of the countries top teams, all at the wrong time.

So lets take a game by game guide and what Wigan have got to do.

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While we had normal working week. The players of Wigan Athletic jetted off to sunny shores of Oman for a weeks winter training, and no doubt the chance of building some commercial front. With that in mind are we really a small club?

Over the years Wigan have always been, the underdog, the ones destined to fall and never been seen again. Yet we are here, now residing in the Premier League 80 years after the clubs birth. So how can we still be small, okay we don't have the history of the likes of Blackpool or Norwich. Yet surely we are on a par with them.

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