Watson sets safety target

Watson: Survival target

Ben Watson believes Wigan Athletic require at least 15 points from their remaining Premier League games to retain their top-flight status.

"Every game from now on is going to be like a cup final, but it's a challenge we'll relish"
Ben Watson Quotes of the week

The midfielder thought he had scored the winner in Tuesday's clash against West Bromwich Albion, only to see Marc-Antoine Fortune rescue a 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns.

Watson admitted the Latics were left to rue the missed opportunity to edge out of the relegation zone.

And the 25-year-old has set his team a minimum requirement of five victories to ensure their safety.

Challenge

He told the Evening Post: "We know we need to start winning games if we are to get out of trouble.

"There are only 13 games left, and we probably need five or six wins from somewhere. It'll be a tall order but that's got to be the aim.

"Every game from now on is going to be like a cup final, but it's a challenge we'll relish. It won't be easy but we'll take it one game at a time and we'll give it our best shot."

Blackburn are next up for Wigan on Saturday and it is being billed as a must-win given Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City lie in store.

But Watson believes a repeat of the performance - if not the result - in midweek should see the Latics all right.

"Blackburn have looked good in the last few weeks, but if we can continue playing like we did at West Brom we shouldn't have any problems," he added.

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