Al Habsi backs Wigan to stay up

Latics have struggled this season and are currently second from bottom only on goal difference following their latest defeat at home against Bolton on Saturday. December will see Roberto Martinez's men face Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in a run of fixtures that could go some way to determining their season. "We have put ourselves in a very difficult position - even at this early stage of the season - and everyone has to stick together," Al Habsi told the club's official website. "The advantage we have is we were in this situation for most of last year and we managed to turn it around, so we know what we have to do. "We'll need to show a similar type of spirit and determination to do it again, and hopefully this will start this weekend at Newcastle." He added: "We all know we have a very, very tough run of fixtures coming up in December - all big teams, all top teams. "Between now and then, we have to pick up as many points as we can, so we can go into that run with confidence."