WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES - ANTOLIN

Confident display pleases defender looking to 
continue good run of form


Antolin Alcaraz believes Wednesday's battling performance against Arsenal can give Latics some much needed self belief.

The Paraguayan defender thinks the spirited display shows the team have what it takes to climb out of trouble and produce results against teams of such high calibre;

"It was a very important point for us against a very difficult team" he said, "This game shows that we can do well against the big teams but we need to believe more in ourselves to produce these results consistently."

Antolin now wants the side to build on this impressive result and hopes they can go one better on Sunday when Newcastle visit the DW Stadium saying; "We need to take all three points in our next game against Newcastle and move up the table."

"They are in a similar position to us in the table and it is against these teams that we need to continue picking up points and move further up the league."

Despite dominating the opening half-hour of the match and also taking the lead, two quick goals from the visitors put Latics on the back foot ten minutes before the break, and Antolin admits he was disappointed to go behind;

"We were a little bit disappointed to lose concentration which allowed Arsenal to score two goals," he said.

"But in the second half we did much better and looked stronger and we need to play like that every week".

Latics' task was made all the harder when Charles N'Zogbia was sent off, and Antolin admitted it was tough; "Eleven versus eleven against Arsenal is difficult but ten against eleven is even harder.

"But we didn't lose hope and towards the end Hugo (Rodallega) did well to head the ball back for Gary to score the second goal."

The solid performance shown by the defence has also pleased Antolin and he says it will only get better; "The communication between Ali (Al Habsi) and Gary (Caldwell) is getting better by the day and it will only keep improving.

"Gary and I have played alongside one another just a few times but very quickly we've formed a good partnership and that too is getting stronger with each game."

Finally asked about the intense run of games during the festive period in England Antolin, who is accustomed to having two weeks off at this time of year, says he is enjoying it and adds; "It's a new experience for me but a good one.

"I knew the standard of football in the Premier League was very high before I joined Wigan Athletic, but this period has proved it."