Wigan Athletic caretaker boss Frank Barlow admits they must break their losing run today against Tottenham.

"Everything's got to be controlled because as soon as there's a sign of losing control mentally, you'll take a massive knock on the field," he said.

"Hopefully we'll use that emotion and channel it the right way and what we're really looking for above anything else is for the supporters to see a passionate, determined performance from us." Although Wigan have endured a run of poor results, Barlow feels the team's recent performances deserved more.

The Latics twice led before going down 3-2 at Birmingham two weeks ago while they conceded late winners against Liverpool and Reading.

Barlow therefore believes his side only need to make small improvements in order to claim a much-needed win at Spurs and turn their fortunes around.

"We're not looking for miles, we're looking for inches," he said.

"An extra inch improvement here, an extra inch improvement there, and if we can find just a couple of extra inches on Sunday we'll come away with the three points.

"The frame of mind we must carry into it is that we're capable of coming away with the three points.

"Football's such a game of ups and downs. Little things make such big differences that you should never, ever go with any other feeling than thinking you can win the game. If you do that, you're beaten before you start."