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Black: Confident

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Wigan can steadily pull themselves away from the Premier League drop-zone, according to new Latics assistant boss Eric Black.

Having moved to Wigan from Birmingham, Black says he has been impressed with what he has seen so far after being re-united with Steve Bruce at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan battled back from 1-0 down against Manchester City on Saturday to earn a valuable point in Bruce's first game in charge, which ended a run of eight straight defeats.

While the point leaves the Latics still second from bottom, Black believes there is still enough time - and games - to turn things around.

He told the club's official website: "We have everything to play for.

Rot

"We've stopped the rot now and although the position is not ideal, we probably wouldn't have been brought in if things had been going well.

"We're not adrift yet, we know a couple of wins will see us right back in the pack and that has to be our immediate goal.

"As to the rest of the season, I am confident we can steadily pull away from trouble."

Black praised the Wigan players' response after Geovanni netted in the first minute for City on Saturday.

He said: "I have been impressed with what I've seen so far, really.

"The team couldn't have got off to a worse start against Manchester City and it was the last thing we wanted, especially on the back of an eight-game losing streak and against a side that are going as well.

Magnificent

"However, if ever the players needed a test of character, that was it and I thought the response was magnificent.

"It would have been nice to win the game, but I thought the intensity the players played at, their attitude and their desire to win the game was first class, hopefully we can maintain that."

Black added every player will have the chance to prove themselves.

"I can only judge from what I've seen," he said.

"Steve is the same, we will make judgments on how players perform on the pitch during matches and in training and everyone starts on an even keel for me.

"We can't have much of an influence technically in such a short time, but we can affect the players."

As well as the players, Black also praised Bruce, whom he has worked alongside since July 2004.

"He is an honest and straightforward guy, and very good to work for," he added.

"He is ambitious and he always demands the best from his staff and from his players. We have struck up a good understanding over the years, and there needs to be partnerships on and off the field at football clubs."