ROSLER’S PRIDE IN WEARY WINNERS

WIGAN’S recent love affair with the FA Cup is showing no signs of ending – and boss Uwe Rosler revealed the Latics had to do it the hard way against Cardiff.

The holders upset the Premier League strugglers thanks to Chris McCann’s early goal and a stunning 25yarder from May’s Wembley hero Ben Watson.

Rosler’s men are now just one win away from a return to the capital in a Cup semifinal and the boss revealed Wigan’s preparation had been far from ideal.

Proud

“It was a great performance from my team considering the disturbance we had to our travel on Friday afternoon and night,” said Rosler.

“It took us seven to eight hours to get down here and we didn’t arrive at our hotel until 22.30. It’s understandable we had to hang on a bit in the final ten minutes but the players were so professional.

“They were magnificent and I’m very proud of all of them. People like Ivan Ramis have come in and played through the pain barrier after injury and that’s what you need when you come up against a side with the quali- ty that Cardiff have.”

Rosler was Brentford boss when Wigan lifted the trophy back in May with Roberto Martinez at the helm.

The former Manchester City star, who has picked up the pieces from Owen Coyle’s disastrous reign, admits he ‘loves’ the Cup but wants his side fully focussed on Tuesday’s clash with Barnsley to increase the pressure on the top six – not who they might face in the last eight.

“We are having to do things the hard way as noone else in the country has played the number of matches we have since August.

“We’re now in the last eight, but from this second until 7.45pm on Tuesday, we concentrate on the Barnsley game which is a big fixture.

“My head is already spinning for that game, who’s available (Watson limped off before the hour), who’s not and what we need to do to get the legs running again.”