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Mapou: "We've Got Every Chance"
Written by Newcastle Utd
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa knows Wigan will offer a different kind of test to Stoke last weekend, but believes Newcastle can win at the DW Stadium
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is looking forward to continuing his Barclays Premier League education against Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
The classy French defender, who joined Newcastle from Montpellier in January, came up against the direct style of Stoke City last weekend but knows that Roberto Martinez's men will employ a very different approach.
And having secured last-gasp victories against the Potters and Anzhi Makhachkala in their last two matches, the 23-year-old is hoping to record another win - but admitted it would be nice to do so without relying on another stoppage time goal.
Wigan may be in the bottom three but they go into the match on the back of a magnificent 3-0 FA Cup win over Everton and Yanga-Mbiwa knows they're a match for anyone on their day.
"I've heard one or two things about them, for sure," he told nufc.co.uk. "I know it's a team that tries to play football and pass the ball around perhaps a little bit more than Stoke last weekend.
"I think they'll cause us some problems but if we go out there and do well, I think we've got every chance of hopefully winning it before the 93rd minute this time!"
If, as expected, Yanga-Mbiwa plays against the Latics it will be his ninth appearance for the Magpies, but only his third league start, and he believes he is beginning to adapt to the English game.
"It's not easy, but I'm working hard in training," he said. "I watch, learn and take in as much as I can from players like Steven Taylor and (Fabricio) Coloccini.
"They've been here for a long time and I'm trying to learn from them. And, match after match, it's going to come."
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