Sky Sports EFL pundit Don Goodman has suggested that Wigan Athletic’s experience of getting themselves out of trouble last season could prove to be the key to them escaping the drop once again this term.

Paul Cook’s side found themselves in a very similar position last season to the one they are in this campaign, with Wigan struggling for consistent form and looking like they were in danger of suffering relegation, until the Latics put together a fine run of form in their final nine games to avoid the drop comfortably in the end.

Wigan were in danger of getting cut adrift of the teams above the relegation zone in the Championship this season, but a run of just one defeat in their last six league games has seen them close the gap on the teams directly above them to just two and three points respectively.

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Speaking on Sky Sports’ latest EFL podcast, Goodman suggested that Wigan’s experience of beating the drop last season could put them in a real strong position to ensure that they do not suffer relegation back to League One this season, and that out of the teams currently in the bottom three they are best placed to get out of it.

He said: "Wigan have been there before this is almost de ja vu from last season, where they had to put a run together at the end of the season to survive they only lost one of their last nine games, which saw them comfortably survive, so they genuinely have been there seen it done it.

"And no doubt it does help, they haven't been playing bad but they had been conceding late goals which had been costing them wins and draws, so the fact that they've halted that, the fact that they are on this terrific run all bodes well for Wigan and for Paul Cook.

"It really wouldn't surprise me if out of those teams down there they are the one to get out of it. They know how to get out of it."

The verdict

Goodman is right to suggest that Wigan are starting to show signs of repeating the sort of form they showed in the latter stages of last season to beat the drop, and that could prove key to them managing to once again get themselves out of danger at the bottom end of the Championship.

Cook’s side gave been struggling for consistent form throughout the campaign and have found themselves inside the bottom three for most of the season so far, but during the last few matches they have started to find some much-needed momentum and consistency.

Were Wigan to carry on their current run of form they would likely be able to avoid the drop fairly comfortably, but there is still along way to go and it will be crucial that they are able to respond in the right fashion when they receive a negative result between now and the end of the campaign.

Of the sides currently in the bottom three they do look the best place to get out of danger, due to both their current form and past experience, and in Cook they have a manager who knows how to cope with the pressures of the end of season run in, which could make all the difference for them in the end.