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Owen Coyle calls on Wigan to make fans proud
WIGAN manager Owen Coyle says his players must deliver against Rubin Kazan to match the marathon efforts of the Latics fans.
The majority of the travelling supporters have spent £1,600 to make the 5,000-mile round trip to Russia while others have taken overnight trains from Moscow.
Around 150 are expected in Kazan for the Europa League group D clash tonight and Coyle insists his team will not let them down.
“The fans have done incredibly well to get here in such numbers,” said Coyle.
“Some of them have taken time off work and done it in a difficult financial climate. Our obligation is to make sure when the players cross that white line and pull on that Wigan Athletic shirt they are giving everything they can.
“The fans have travelled far and wide to be here and we want to make sure we are doing them justice.”
Coyle’s side held Rubin to a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium two weeks ago.
Rubin’s manager Kurban Berdyev has promised Wigan’s black players they will not be subjected to any racist abuse by the fans.
Just over a fortnight ago Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was on the end of monkey chants against CKSA Moscow in the Russian capital.