Paul Cook has confirmed that Wigan's superb FA Cup run is hard to switch off from.
Speaking to Wigan Today, he spoke of the trouble he's had keeping his side's feet on the ground after their historic 1-0 victory against Manchester City last week.
“How can I put this... the FA Cup brings something to your club that’s hard to switch off. It’s so glamorised, when you see the entourage that Man City and West Ham brought, the away support, the atmosphere, there’s no way you can come away from games like that and feel the same – it’s humanly impossible. All you can do is make a prearranged plan of what you’re trying to do, and stick to it. The plan after Man City was simply to beat Rochdale. It wasn’t about playing particularly well."
The plan worked a treat, Michael Jacobs grabbed a 12th minute goal to keep Wigan firmly in the hunt for promotion back to the Championship.
They're currently third, but with enough games in hand to go six points clear of the chasing pack. With Southampton the guests at the DW Stadium in the quarter final, there's a real chance that his side could progress to the semi-finals as well as capture the League One title..
"We’re all looking forward to the quarter-final, but it’s like Christmas. We know it’s coming, but we must wait.”
Christmas is a bit further away Paul, but there's still important games between now and the big day. There's a huge six-pointer against second-placed Blackburn Rovers on the horizon before play-off hopefuls Scunthorpe and Bradford.
Get through those three games with a decent points haul and the Latics will have earned the right to lock horns with Southampton.
The quarter final clash will only be the third time in history the two clubs have met. They shared a Premier League stage for one season, prior to that Wigan were defeated 3-0 in the FA Cup in 1986.
A lot has changed since then and the ambitious Latics will be hoping to build on their giant killing exploits and use them as a spring board for promotion back to the second tier.
Many observers are claiming their 1-0 win against a strong Man City side was one of the greatest cup shocks of all time, comparable with Hereford's defeat of Newcastle and Sutton United's 2-1 win against Coventry in 1988.
It certainly is the story of the competition, picking up the mantle from non-league Lincoln City's run to the quarter finals last season. Their campaign ended in a 5-0 defeat at the Emirates, but Wigan will be hoping to go one better in a couple of weeks time.
Until then, Paul Cook will be focusing his team on more pressing matters.
The Verdict
A cup run can boost a club from top to bottom and Paul Cook is right to admit they've got one eye on their big day.
However, with Blackburn the visitors this weekend there must be a focus on the bread and butter of league action. Cup runs come and go, but a promotion is permanent and Wigan Athletic will feel they have no business being in League One.