‘WIGAN ARE EMOTIONALLY FANTASTIC..’

WIGAN assistant boss Leam Richardson insists his players are united in their battle for Championship survival.

The Latics could have their legs cut from under them – and be sent stumbling into League One.

But Richardson insists: “At the minute emotionally the lads are fantastic.”

Paul Cook’s men are nine points off the drop zone but a 12-point deduction looms after they went into administration, which would currently send them bottom.

They have Hull at home tomorrow night followed by Charlton and Fulham, games they must negotiate without defender Danny Fox – sent off at Barnsley (above) for a foul on Elliot Simoes.

Richardson said: “I’ve been lucky enough to be around certain clubs and changing rooms and the spirit is as good as anything.

“So off the pitch they’re great and they certainly know the job they’ve got at hand is a tough ask but they’re ready for the fight.“

Barnsley are three points from safety at the bottom and travel to Leeds on Thursday before facing high-flyers Nottingham Forest and Brentford.

Yet Austrian midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier believes the Tykes can survive despite their daunting run-in – starting at Elland Road.

He said: “We have nothing to lose. We know we are a good team and we can just spring a surprise and if we play the same as the last couple of games I think we are going to make a good game.

“The last games we played really well. Everybody is confident, you see it on the pitch as well and with those three games there are a lot of possibilities.”