Speaking with the enemy - Liverpool v Wigan

What are your expecta-tions for the season?

I think that a top-10 finish is within the team's reach this season. The reason I think this is because the club is growing in stature and opposing manager's are looking at the squad and casting envious eyes on our top players.

How good a job is Bruce doing?

Put simply, Steve Bruce kept the club in the Premier League last season. Since then, he has recruited wisely. We have become hard to beat and hopefully that will continue tomorrow.

Do you think you have any chance of keeping Zaki? He did say he likes the Wigan climate.

The terms of the Zaki deal, as agreed with the El Zamalek chairman, are that he stays until the end of the current campaign. As for the climate, let's see how he fancies a midweek FA Cup tie against Hartlepool at a freezing JJB Stadium with a few thousand hardy souls.

Emile Heskey and Titus Bramble have both been scapegoats at other clubs yet appear to be reborn at the JJB. What are your opinions of both men?

Wigan fans have been singing the praises of Emile Heskey for the past two seasons. His work-rate for the team is outstanding and he lays on lots of goals for others. Titus does have an uncanny knack of making mistakes at crucial moments, but as displayed at Anfield last season, he more than makes up for them over the season.

Valencia has been linked with a move to both Liverpool and United. How good a player is he?

Luis Antonio Valencia will be an exceptional player of the future. If I was Rafa Benitez I would move heaven and earth to get him, but he'll cost more than the rumoured £7million-plus Pennant!

Which player would you like to see the back of?

Every single player that has ever played for Latics during my 35 years of following this great club has received nothing but support from me.

Is there a player you consider to be Liverpool's weak link?

Not really.

Given Liverpool's current ownership situation it must make you value Dave Whelan more?

Dave Whelan should be knighted for what he has achieved at Latics.

Finally, how do you think the game will go?

I'll take the draw now!