Swansea V Wigan - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Rangel: We are united
Angel Rangel has warned Wigan they will face a Swansea side determined to showcase their unity at the Liberty Stadium. The Swans have been stung by reports in the national media of dressing room unrest, which stated senior players were unhappy with manager Michael Laudrup's training methods and man management, and the players in question had expressed their concerns to chairman Huw Jenkins.
Right-back Rangel has echoed subsequent denials by Laudrup and Jenkins, and has promised the togetherness of the squad will be on display when they look to end a run of five games without a win against the Latics.
He said: "There is nothing wrong within the squad, sometimes the media exaggerates things.
"Everyone is happy. If we were playing bad football and were bottom of the table I would understand, but we're not. "Everyone is happy with how the manager is coaching on the training pitch and with games. I can promise you everything is fine.
"I was surprised because I cannot see any player going against the manager. These things don't happen here because we are a close family and everyone is honest.
"I have never seen any signs that there is not unity within the squad, everyone has always been together, but this will make us stronger. "We haven't really talked about it, but we all know that a win on Saturday will show everyone that these things are wrong. Hopefully that will be the case."
Swans manager Michael Laudrup could decide to keep faith with the side that recovered from 2-0 down to draw with Reading when Wigan visit the Liberty Stadium. Striker Danny Graham looks set to continue ahead of Luke Moore, despite being withdrawn at the interval against the Royals, while Ki Sung-yueng could again keep Jonathan de Guzman out of the starting XI. Kemy Agustien is back in contention after a calf problem while Pablo Hernandez will hope to displace Nathan Dyer or Wayne Routledge on the flanks. Neil Taylor is a long-term absentee with a broken ankle. It will be Wigan boss Roberto Martinez's third return to the Liberty Stadium since leaving three years ago, a decision for which he has not been forgiven by some Swansea fans, but the Spaniard believes the personal element is far superseded by the quest for points.
He said: "The game is so important for both clubs. We are both in the league that we want to be, these are fantastic times for both clubs.
"After a great start to the season, we both find ourselves in a situation where we need the points, we both need good performances. I don't think the individual links are important any more, it's just the importance of the game." Martinez added:
"Any game at the Liberty Stadium is very tough because Swansea are good at what they do. The way they treat the ball, the way they control games and keep possession, it's very difficult for the opposing side. "The first three games they were a joy to watch and a real attacking threat. I don't think much has changed, they had a couple of injuries, a couple of suspensions, and that affected a little bit their results, but they haven't changed as a team.
"I think Michael Laudrup is very clear in what he wants to do, he brought in players that had an impact straight away, and that group of players is getting ready to have a very good season. "I don't see it as the right time to play them, it's a moment of need, both teams are in a similar situation and it's going to be a really entertaining game because the concepts of both sides are very similar."
Wigan will be without defender Antolin Alcaraz and winger Albert Crusat, who are continuing their recovery from groin and knee injuries respectively, while Martinez will monitor Maynor Figueroa and Jean Beausejour after their lengthy international trips.
Source: PA
