The Hammers had already secured a play-off spot and the Latics only needed a win to make it on hte last minute. However West Ham's then manager Alan Pardew didn't fancy his chances against the Latics in the playoffs.
Consequently his team went all out to beat Paul Jewell's men and the late Brian Deane goal meant we had to wait one more season.
The tables have now turned and after the Hammers 4-1 thrashing at home from Chelsea last night, they are looking odds on favourites to be relegated.
What makes the situation even sweeter for Latics supporters is the fact that if results go the right way, Wigan could well be the club that sends the not so happy Hammers down into the Championship.
After the Latics play West Ham, there are only two further league games before the end of the season, and if the Hammers are seven points or more away from safety after that game, the Latics will have relegated Alan Curbishley's men.
Here's how the bottom of the table currently looks.
| 13 | Manchester City | 34 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 17 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 27 | 38 | 41 | -11 | ||||
| 14 | Middlesbrough | 34 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 26 | 20 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 24 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 37 | 44 | 39 | -7 | ||||
| 15 | Wigan Athletic | 34 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 35 | 52 | 35 | -17 | ||||
| 16 | Fulham | 34 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 16 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 18 | 36 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 34 | 53 | 35 | -19 | ||||
| 17 | Sheffield United | 34 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 30 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 29 | 49 | 34 | -20 | ||||
| 18 | Charlton Athletic | 34 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 34 | 8 | 8 | 18 | 30 | 51 | 32 | -21 | ||||
| 19 | West Ham United | 34 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 20 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 33 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 27 | 58 | 29 | -31 | ||||
| 20 | Watford | 34 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 8 | 33 | 4 | 11 | 19 | 25 | 56 | 23 | -31 | ||||
