RELEGATION-threatened Latics head into Saturday’s nail-biting final day of a 46-game League One season still not knowing what division they will be playing in next term.
Destiny is, however, in their own hands.
A win at already-doomed Northampton Town will guarantee a remarkable 22nd consecutive season in third-tier football for the survival specialists.
Even if Athletic fail to bag all three points, Richie Wellens’ side will still be safe if they can match Rochdale’s result – Dale are at home to play-off hopefuls Charlton.
But if Latics lose at Northampton and Rochdale draw or win, it means certain relegation to League Two, as would a draw for Latics coupled with a Rochdale victory. It all makes for a nervejangling end to a turbulent campaign.
And after last weekend’s topsyturvy turn of events, when Rochdale went ahead at Oxford before being pegged back and eventually losing, Wellens is ready for another rollercoaster ride.
He said: “It’s all about us now.
We have got to do our very best to go and win at Northampton.
“If we win the game, it doesn’t matter what happens elsewhere.”
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