Manager looks ahead to local derby at Ewood Park.

Watch | Paul Cook previews Latics’ trip to Blackburn Rovers
Manager looks ahead to local derby at Ewood Park.
Paul Cook: “With 2,000 fans going across, the players will be well aware and if we can win it would be a great day for everyone.”

Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook says results are now the key focus for his side as they look to follow up two really positive performances when they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Monday night.

Latics have drawn with West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield Town in their last two outings, with widespread opinion that Cook’s side were unfortunate to not return with six points rather than two from their two DW Stadium outings.

However, the manager says he understands results will be what his side are judged on.

“Football is about results; it will never ever change because results will always mask everything that is going on and managers know that,” Cook said. “For us, it has been a difficult time – especially with conceding the late goals – but as a manager I will never be one to come in and list excuses because the buck stops with the manager, that is how football is today.

“We go into a very difficult derby match, live on Sky, under the lights, it will be a good and competitive game and a game we are looking forward to.

“It is a great game; one we are really looking forward to. Blackburn are in some excellent form and have had some very good wins both home and away and I am delighted for Tony.

“We have had a small rivalry for a period of time now from both coming out of League One.

“I think Blackburn’s recent run stands them in good stead to look into the New Year with optimism. For ourselves, it’s a different fight at the minute but one that we are very much looking forward to.”

Last year, Latics faced one of their darkest days at Ewood Park, losing 3-0 after a defeat at Reading the previous weekend had dragged Cook’s side into a relegation battle.

Following the defeat at Ewood Park, Latics lost just once in their final nine games to comfortably secure their safety.

And Cook says his side have to get back to those heights and enjoy better days for their supporters.

“The brutal reality is that, depending on where you are in the league, the emotions will follow a pattern and if you are in the positions that we are then there will be disappointing days,” Cook explained.

“The most important thing is your higher days and your better moments, because they will also come. For us it is about grasping the better moments now.

“Last year, the Blackburn disappointment was on the back of losing at Reading in stoppage time and the pattern was there and we travelled to Blackburn and got beat well. That was just a low point because none of us knew the outcome, our better days were in front of us.

“We go to Blackburn this time in the bottom three and the first thing we want to do is get out of the bottom three, but there is a lot of football to play and a long way to go.”

Cook could well be boosted by returning players after a nine-day break since the draw with Huddersfield Town.

And he says that his side are boosted by players returning to fitness with a schedule that includes five games in two weeks.

“One of the pleasing things is that we are getting injuries back and that helps us,” Cook said. “A couple are getting back closer and will be training with us over the weekend and as a manager it is always pleasing to have as many options available as possible.

“For all different reasons, I really enjoy it,” he continued. “I love the Christmas period, love the excitement of the games.

“It would be nice if we had Blackburn on Boxing Day rather than the Monday night because it is a good game for us.

“It’s a great period to be a football fan and it is also a period where people know important points are and if we can pick some points up at Blackburn on Monday night it would be a great start to Christmas for us.”

Latics will take over 2,000 supporters to Ewood Park and Cook says his side are aware of the opportunity they have to send supporters home happy for Christmas.

“Brilliant support,” Cook added. “Supporting your club can be tough and for us the highs of what we have achieved in my tenure seem a distant memory but supporting your club is massive and with 2,000 fans going across, the players will be well aware and if we can win it would be a great day for everyone.”

Watch | Paul Cook previews Latics’ trip to Blackburn Rovers