Bruce takes hard road to survival

RECEIVED wisdom suggests that a steady diet of hard-fought, narrow 1-0 victories offers the best chance of Premier League survival.

If that is the case then Wigan Athletic appear intent on pursuing a defiantly unorthodox approach in their efforts to retain their place in the top flight.

Charged by manager Steve Bruce with the task of claiming 10 points from six games to ensure they enter the new year still harbouring hopes of escape, Wigan successfully, if dramatically, negotiated the first of those hurdles.