Adam Lallana insists Saints are gunning for revenge against Wigan tomorrow after being “taught a footballing lesson” by the Latics earlier this season.
In only the second match of the campaign, Saints were beaten 2-0 at St Mary’s, as Roberto Martinez’s side produced a streetwise performance to ease past the Premier League newboys.
Since then, however, Saints have adapted well to life back in England’s top division, and they go into tomorrow’s match at the DW Stadium three points and two places ahead of Wigan, who are 18th and in the third relegation slot.
“They taught us a bit of a footballing lesson,” said Lallana, recalling the meeting between the clubs in August.
“They’ve got a great squad and a great manager.
“He’s kept them in the league for four or five years now and they’ve always been underdogs and written off.
“It’s going to be a tough game.”
The Saints captain, who labelled the match a “six-pointer”, added: “I’m sure we’ll have our way to go there and beat them.”
Lallana will be hoping for a first start in eight weeks, after returning from a knee injury to play the second half of Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.
His display at Old Trafford will undoubtedly have impressed his new manager, Mauricio Pochettino.
And it would be no surprise if he started tomorrow in place of club record signing Gaston Ramirez, whose place he took at half-time at Old Trafford.
“I remember when Adkins first came to the club I was on the sidelines as well,” said Lallana, who was hurt in the 1-0 win over Reading almost two months ago.
“It’s almost like the first day at school again.
“You just want to impress.
“I had a niggling injury. I’m lucky I was only out six or seven weeks, not six or seven months “I was going to be patient, but I felt great and really good (against United)."
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