Emmerson Boyce admits he would rather Wigan were playing badly and winning than the reverse but remains confident they can survive.
The Latics are without a win since December 10, during which time they have picked up just four points from nine matches.
They are bottom of the table, five points from safety, and make the short trip to near-neighbours Bolton, just two places above them, for a match Boyce accepts neither team can afford to lose.
"We need to start picking up the three points now because we are getting too far behind," said the 32-year-old told Latics Player.
"We are bottom of the league and even though we are playing well we need to start picking up results because I'd rather be playing badly and picking up the points to move us up the table.
"We have been through it many times in the last couple of years and we need to learn from it and not get cast adrift so quickly."