Filed under: Wigan, QPR, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
Mention Wigan to Neil Warnock and the 62-year-old is likely to break out in a cold sweat and start mumbling something about Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson.Warnock was in charge of Sheffield United when David Unsworth's penalty earned Wigan victory at Bramall Lane on the final day of the 2006-07 season - and relegated the Blades from the Premier League.
But Warnock was angry at Liverpool manager Benitez and Manchester United manager Ferguson for fielding under-strength sides which he claimed contributed to his team's demise.
Four years on and Warnock sends his QPR side out to face a Wigan side still searching for a first win.
Roberto Martinez will be hoping it is a case of third time lucky against newly-promoted teams after watching his side held by both Norwich and Swansea in the opening two matches.
But unlike Norwich and Swansea, QPR have a first win under their belt after last Saturday's impressive 1-0 win at Everton.
Martinez's players are undefeated in six league games, a run stretching back to April.
But with back-to-back away games at Manchester City and Everton looming, Wigan need a win to get their season up and running before the international break.
Key Match-Up: Hugo Rodallega v Paddy Kenny: It is a year ago that Martinez's side produced one of the biggest surprises of last season, Rodallega's goal earning a 1-0 win at Tottenham. And the Colombian striker, whose is poised to start his first game of the season, will fancy his chances against London's latest Premier League club. Looking to stop him will be Kenny, the keeper who was part of the Sheffield United team relegated by Wigan in 2007.
Form Guide: QPR have not lost in three visits to Wigan but arrive at the DW Stadium on the back of a Carling Cup defeat at the hands of League One Rochdale. Wigan have lost once in eight league games although only three of those have ended in victory.
Odds: Wigan 11/8, QPR 21/10, Draw 9/4
WIGAN:
Martinez has made it clear he does not intend to cash in on Rodallega ahead of next week's transfer deadline.
Rodallega, who is in the final year of his contract, claimed last month that Arsenal, Villarreal and Seville all wanted him.
But Martinez is more interested in buying than selling - and that the £12 million-rated Colombian striker is staying at the DW Stadium.
"We wouldn't consider any late offers for Hugo," said the Wigan manager.
"It is quite clear that at this stage of the season you cannot replace players.
"We wouldn't be in a position to replace Hugo now. That's not a possibility."
Martinez has yet to spend the £9.5 million from Charles N'Zogiba's sale to Aston Villa and wants to bring in up to three new signings.
Manchester City duo Vladimir Weiss and Shaun Wright-Phillips are targets.
Slovakian winger Weiss has stalled on a £3.5 million move to Dynamo Kiev while Wright-Phillips is also expected to leave City next week.
"Vladimir's a player I followed closely at the World Cup last summer," added Martinez.
"He's a really talented player.
"But there's many players who fit what we need and it's down to them to show they really want to come to Wigan and that they're hungry for success."
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