The Dukinfield Dazzler predicts a win

It's been no coincident that suspensions and injuries have played there part so far, but whereas the side hasn't played fluidly for any one full 90 minutes this season, it has been the defence which has made this season what it is so far.

Success feels overdue and around the corner. But the recent run of 3 games and 7 goals conceded started the alarm bells to begin warming up. Fortunately, the absence of Hill through suspension and the effect that had on Hall's form now seems a distant memory, after the test it took at QPR. The Latics were solid, after gifting an early goal to the Loftus Road outfit. A professional job saw the points won against a side which has gone 21 games unbeaten at home. And how vital that will prove when the reckoning comes in May, as that will tally up to have been a 6-pointer.

There are so many ironies to this season though. And it is those ironies which should they continue, the Boundary Park outfit will be flying high on a wave of success by the end of it all. Take the following...

Home form - In previous seasons this has been the Latics strongest feature. So far this season, we are yet to show anything of true form at Boundary Park - despite conceding the least amount of goals in all of division 2! Should that improve we will be unstoppable.

Away form - Most seasons, we are still looking for win number 1 in late October. This season we are unbeaten, cruising and have let in (wait for it) just 3 goals on our 8 away travels. An excellent record and a bizarre contrast.

Conceding little - Last season, we were top-scorers along with Brentford but were abysmal at the back. Hold on for yet another contrast...

So far this season, we are the ones who have conceded the least. The Latics have let in just 10 goals, claimed 8 cleans sheets and as mentioned only conceded just 3 times away from home. An excellent record. But how does that affect the attack?!?!

Scoring stats - For how many seasons has scoring been a problem for the Latics? The tide began to turn last season as we netted 68 in 46 games (1.47 per game.) But has anyone considered this season? So far we've managed 24 in 15 games and that equates to 1.6 per game. After sorting out our defence, we are still scoring more often. Makes very interesting reading, doesn't it?!?!

Winning 6 pointers - Finally, the most sound evidence of a successful team. Ok, we may have lost to Wycombe & Luton, but when it comes to beating those who will be in the shake up, the Latics are doing what they haven't done before...
Winning 6 pointers.

Bristol City and QPR will no doubt be challenging in May, but both have been beaten by the Latics. Most impressively though, the win over QPR should send real shockwaves around Division 2. The Latics look very good and that is without the performances too.

With the odd player to come back also, off field matters look as though they will increase the Latics resolve rather than break it. Maybe this time last week, I would have had a different opinion on that, but it looks fair to say we felt a slight wobble along with the Manchester earthquakes and have once again steadied ourselves to look even better. Hopefully having Hall and Hill back together is no coincidence either. Long may they look the business. I just hope we don't end up doing business on them before the season ends.

Northampton on the other hand are in a real downhill spiral. Hovering in a group of 3 above the relegation line, The Cobblers have had just 1 win in the last 6 games and suffered a bad 2-1 home defeat to then-bottom side Cheltenham. That took the Wiltshire Robins off the bottom.

With just 1 win in 7 games and 13 goals conceded, The Cobblers look to be heading to Boundary Park for a similar 4-1 whipping to last season.

Team News - Latics

The Latics should herald the same side which superbly beat QPR on Saturday. Some quarters suggested we were light of 8 players, however if you take away the rest from Berehall, Carss and Wijnhard, I would say that we are not far from a full team now. That being, once Murray makes it from the bench to the starting line up which may be a slight possibility tonight.

However, there seems no reason to change the side. Corazzin is delaying an operation so he can keep the Latics going and Wayne Andrews is setting up goals as well as scoring, hence it is nice to see Killen having to fight for a place now. The permutations look good. And it says something when for the first time (I think this season) only 1 substitute was made on Saturday. Maybe Dowie is happy with the team and now knows how it should all be pieced together.

Line up: GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Armstrong, Hill, Hall, MD - Eyres, Duxbury, D.Sheridan, Eyre, Low, FW - Corazzin, Andrews.

Team News - Northampton

Derek Asamoah should return to the line up for this game after only managing a substitute appearance on Saturday. That should boost the visitors firepower, however Chris Marsh, Darryl Stamp, Gerard Lavin, Paul McGregor and Duncan Spedding all miss out. It isn't hard to see why the Northants side have struggled lately.

MATCH FACTORS:
THE SQUADS - The Latics are beginning to formulate the defence again now and with only 3 or 4 significant players out, the hosts have the squad to beat Northampton tonight. However I did say that for our last home league game vs Luton.

However, Northampton are extremely decimated especially when loanee Jerry Gill from Premiership Birmingham is fighting for fitness too.

RICKERS - The former Latics midfielder is quite a handy tool when used correctly. Playing as a midfield runner, Rickers can be useful and weighed in with a number of goals for the Latics. However, his start for his new team has seen injury and poor performances. Only of late has Rickers played, scoring against Hereford in the LDV trophy recently. If ever he needed a game to get the blood going, this is the one. But I think the occasion may be too much and Rickers probably won't shine when back in Lancashire.

TOP SPOT? - That win on Saturday sets the Latics up with the perfect chance to lead the division once again. The hosts play a lowly Northampton which they should beat, whilst Wigan and QPR (1st & 6th) play each other and Crewe in 4th, play host to a resurgent Luton side - one that beat the Latics 2 weeks ago. This is a great chance top sit pretty again in the number one position.

INTO THE DROP? - On the other hand, some teams develop a knack of upsetting teams like us when they look at dropping into the relegation zone. Northampton really shouldn't trouble us, but after Wycombe and Luton, Latics fans know that no game is a given certainty. Indeed, we haven't sparkled in any one game for a full 90 minutes - instead having to be resolute in defence and it is that weapon which the Latics have won games from. We should have more to come, inspite of what a scrapping Northampton side throws at us.

Verdict:
These games are like doing the proverbial in the wind. They really can backfire when you predict that you should win - heaven knows, that's happened to me twice now. However, Wycombe was a complete off-day and Luton did come with 500 or so fans and a run of 4 wins on the trot. Northampton will have neither tonight and instead, the Latics should make it 4 defeats on the trot for them tonight. It's going to be a good 3-0 Latics win tonight!