Emmerson Boyce is hopeful Wigan can avoid a repeat of last season, when their survival fight went down to the final match.
However, the 32-year-old insists they are more than ready for the eventuality of their fate hanging on the outcome of the game at home to Wolves on May 13.
Only victory at Stoke on a dramatic final day last May kept the Latics up, and with 13 games remaining this season Boyce, buoyed by a vital win at fellow strugglers Bolton at the weekend, is looking to better that.
"The manager asked us for a big performance because it was a must-win game and the pressure was on," he said. "We've been in this position before and we know what it's all about but we don't want it to go down to the last day like last season - but if it needs to it needs to.
"All we have to do is concentrate on ourselves, get the results and I'm sure we will be safe.
"Hopefully we can kick-start our season now, starting with Aston Villa next at the DW Stadium."