Source: Team_Talk
Latics will have to fight - Whelan
Wigan owner Dave Whelan has called on the team to raise their game on Saturday when they face Blackburn at Ewood Park.[LNB] Whelan spoke to team following their defeat at Fulham, a performance manager Roberto Martinez described as "flat".[LNB]Whelan was absent for that match. Instead he travelled to Blackburn - who lost 2-1 to Chelsea - as a mark of respect to former team-mate Ronnie Clayton, who died last week.[LNB]He said: "Blackburn played very well and Ron would have been proud of them because they fought hard and should have won.[LNB]"I have been talking to our lads and said 'you didn't fight at Fulham but you are going to have to fight at Blackburn'.[LNB]"We are in for a tough match. Our lads will have to be up for it."[LNB]Wigan are struggling towards the foot of the Barclays Premier League table but Whelan is adamant they are up for the scrap.[LNB]He said: "When we came up everyone said we would go down in the first year. This is now our sixth season in the Premier League and it is tough again.[LNB]"Wigan are one of a number of clubs whose primary objective is survival. We will fight and hopefully continue our run in the league."[LNB]Tributes are planned at the match for both Clayton and former Wigan manager John Benson, who also died at the weekend.[LNB]Whelan added: It will be a sad day but at least we can pay our respects to both men."[LNB]
