Kilbane urges Latics to be fearless

Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane insists his side must play without fear if they are to avoid relegation this season.

With four games remaining, the Latics are three points above the drop zone and in a scrap with Fulham, Sheffield United, Charlton and West Ham for survival.

Paul Jewell’s side first head to Liverpool on Saturday, followed by home games with West Ham and Middlesbrough, before concluding with a potentially decisive showdown against the Blades at Bramall Lane.

Ireland international Kilbane believes it is vital to display the tenacity witnessed during Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham at the JJB Stadium, even though they were pegged back three times in that match.

Kilbane said: “It’s in our own hands, and we’ve still two key games at home to West Ham and Middlesbrough.

“We have to pick up points from those two games, and we can’t be nervous, as against Spurs when we played without fear.

“We attacked Tottenham, we looked capable of scoring goals, and that’s the key for us now.

“We have to get at teams, be at them from the first whistle, and hopefully we can get goals.”

Goals are something Wigan have not managed in three meetings with Liverpool following their promotion to the Premiership in 2005.

Rafael Benitez’s side have won all three encounters between the two, scoring eight without reply, including a 4-0 win at the JJB Stadium in December.

“We have to be positive and feel confident in our own ability,” added former Everton star Kilbane, who joined Wigan last summer for £2million.

“Liverpool gave us our biggest hiding this season in a game in which we never got going, so now we have to be far more positive this time.”