Preview: Wigan to set the Record Straight?

Sadly i was one of the couple 100 who saw history made at Readings Madjeyski Stadium. "Gutless", "the worst team in our history" where some of the phrases being shouted towards the pitch as Wigan set a new record for consecutive league defeats.

All Hail Julius: Set for debut

With that new record set at eight (nine overall including Portsmouth away in the FA Cup) it is up to Jewell and his team to make sure that record doesn't get worse.

Wigan's chances of finally stopping the rot looked to have taken a body blow with Emile Heskey and Lee McCulloch both limping out of Tuesday's 3-2 defeat.

However news that Henri Camara is close to a return coupled with hopes that skipper Arjan De Zeeuw is hopeful of returning have boosted Wigan's injury hit squad somewhat.

In Heskey and McCullochs absence, new signing Julius Aghahowa will be thrown into the deep end against Pompey, despite not being fully match fit due to the Ukraine's season being on their winter break.

The Nigerian international began training with his new team-mates on Thursday, and Jewell is confident he can make a winning impact: "We have

Goals a plenty: Landzaat to add to first goal of season?

signed Julius and hopefully he will give more of a threat up front. He has good pace and pedigree, and I hope to see some of those somersaults he does when he scores.

"Julius will be here on Thursday to start training and it looks like he will be starting after the injuries we have got."

Aghahowa will partner fellow new signing Caleb Folan up front, who impressed during the midweek defeat. The former Chesterfield man hit the crossbar with a fierce volley, and looked equally strong at holding the ball up.

At the back, Jewell could be tempted to swap things around after seeing his side shift another three goals. David Unsworth, who was substituted midweek, could lose his place to the man who replaced him Matt Jackson.

However, seeing how Wigan lacked aerial presence, the manager could be tmpted to throw Andreas Granvqist into the mix.

Portsmouth travel to Wigan on the back of their own winless run, failing to win a game in five and have dropped points against strugglers Sheffield United and Charlton.

Wigan fans have not seen a home victory since beating Charlton 3-2 back in November. With a possible new strike force leading the way, Jewell will be hoping that they can fire Wigan to a vital Premiership victory.

Ones to Watch

An interesting battle will be who gets to perform more backflips, Aghahowa or Lua Lua. The latter is a danger from anywhere as will Julius's fellow Nigerian team-mate Kanu.

Pundits Prediction

Mark Larwenson fimrly believes Wigan's chance of ending the run of nine straight defeats is on Saturday, going for a 2-1 victory.

My Prediction

Surely a victory finally....

Latics 1 Pompey 0 (back flips gallore)