Preview: Wigan to hand out Royal beating?

Reading have taken the role of the surprise team this season, a role Wigan proudly held last term. Sitting comfortably in eight position, Steve Coppell's

Main men: Camara and DeZeeuw miss out again

Royals are now safe and playing entertaining football, much like the Latics did the year before.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell was quick to praise Coppell's team, stating the similarities between the two clubs debut Premiership campaign: "Reading have done fantastically well this season, a little like us last season.

"They're full of confidence and playing with freedom because they know they are safe, which is a great situation to be in.

"But they're not unbeatable. However, we know we have to go their place and play well."

Defeat must be avoided on Tuesday night. If Reading inflict another loss on Wigan, it would be a new record for the club of eight straight league defeats. And when players are low on confidence, that is the last record you want to set.

Jewell however, has conceded that the style of football played the past month has not been entertaining, and has vowed to play football, rather than long

New boy: Folan to make his debut

ball:" Maybe we had become too direct, lumping it up to (Emile) Heskey and saying, 'Go on, score us a goal.'

"If anybody wants to have a go at us about being direct, then it is down to me. I take responsibility for that because I am the manager.

"So the coaching staff have worked exceptionally hard over the last few days to ensure we do get the ball down and provide quality to the front players."

New signing Caleb Folan goes straight into the Latics squad, although most probably will only start on the bench. David Cotterill picked up an injury playing for the reserves, and along with Paul Scharner, Arjan DeZeeuw and Henri Camara.

Fitz Hall is a doubt also, but you can decide whether that is a good or bad thing.

Good news for Wigan is that Reading's top goalscorer Kevin Doyle is expected to miss out, although Kitson has returned from injury to take his place up front.

Ones to Watch

Reading have god options up front in Kitson, Lita and Long, and either pairing will cause problems. Steve Sidwell is Readings playmaker and will have to be watched.

Pundits Prediction

Mark Lawrenson is sitting on the fence, going for a 1-1 draw. However he does hint that he believes Wigan will make a comeback and steer clear of relegation.

My Prediction

Must stay confident when in a position like this. Although a draw would be enough to keep West Ham at bay for a few more days, i am hoping for that elusive victory.

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