Former Wigan boss Bryan Hamilton is delighted to see his old club in today’s FA Cup final, but hopes reaching Wembley doesn’t interfere with the more important business of securing their place in the Premier League. Ex-Town midfielder Hamilton, 66, was in charge of the Latics, who face Manchester City this afternoon, between 1985 and 1986 and again from 1989 until 1993.

The Northern Irishman is looking forward to the match, which controversially kicks off at 5.15pm rather than at the traditional 3pm.

“It should be a very good game,” he said. “I’m pleased for them, I just hope it doesn’t detract from what they’re trying to do with regards to staying in the league. But I’m sure they’ll have a wonderful day.

“I think the manager’s a super manager, Roberto Martinez has done a fabulous job, his team plays lovely football, he’s made good signings and I hope they have a great day.

“Will they beat Man City? It’s going to be tight, it’s a one-off match but I think their priority has to be staying in the Premiership.”

Hamilton watches Town regularly while working for the club in a hospitality capacity and says that having escaped relegation this season, Mick McCarthy’s side could be pushing at the right end of the table this time next year.

He says 2012/13 was always going to be hard after the Blues got off to a poor start: “Having played and managed and coached, you know that if you don’t get off to a good start it makes it that bit more difficult.

“But I thought they worked hard to get back into it. The managerial change did help. I thought Paul Jewell worked hard, but it just didn’t go his way.

“Mick came in, stabilised it and I think he was lucky. I think you need that element of luck whereas Paul’s team [didn’t get it].

“I remember the Cardiff game, they were top of the league we were bottom of the league, we played ever so well and it was 1-1 and I thought we could nick it 2-1, but as it was it went against Ipswich 2-1.

“Mick’s come in and I’ve seen matches where they haven’t played unbelievably well and yet they’ve nicked it 1-0 at the end.

“He’s done a fantastic job, he’s set the foundation down for next season and with luck next year you never know where we might end up.”

Photo: Action Images

HighgateBlue added 09:34 - May 11 To be fair to Hamilton, he does not peddle this nonsense that saying up is "more important". What's more important, winning a major trophy, the great knockout competition in world football? Or qualifying to stay in a competition they can't possibly win? It's time those that comment on football start sticking up for great football competitions rather than having weird imperative of maximising turnover (and not even profit ffs!) Man city will start with a goalie who's never played in the premier league. Talk about disrespect for this great competition. Come on Wigan!!! Having said all that, if Wigan stay up, that may but Norwich in the mire!

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bluemikey100 added 10:46 - May 11 a championship seems easier next season to go up with qpr reading and wigan than norwich or newcastle or sunderland in it
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Marshalls_Mullet added 13:31 - May 11 More important to stay up? Twaddle. If I were a Wigan fan, given the choice of winning the fa cup or staying up, I'd take the cup everytime!!
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Tractorog added 14:09 - May 11 Hamilton Should be concentrating on staying ahead of Rosberg... Oh sorry wrong Hamilton.
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Bergholtblue added 14:13 - May 11 I don't think Wigan will be distracted. It'll be all over before they know it!
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wilnis_barmy_army added 14:14 - May 11 Totally agree Marshall! They are never gonna mke headway in premier league without serious investment! Surely a cup success to look at for years to come should be a priority! Problem with modern football!
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itfc1981 added 19:59 - May 11 ie 'I bloody hopeNorwich go down instead as they make Stoke look like Barca'
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:07 - May 12 As I think most neutrals will be, I'm very pleased "small" Wigan beat soulless, corporate Citeh. Also I think winning will on balance help them more than losing "with the more important business of securing their place in the Premier League." They have another match on Tuesday, but they were going to be tired after the final whether they won it or lost it. Of course, for Town fans Wigan's survival in the PL is currently far more important than Wigan winning the Cup. So good luck to them on both counts.

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