Wigan Athletic boss Chris Hutchings has shrugged off fresh sack talk.

Hutchings, who had a disastrous spell in the dug-out with Bradford City in 2000, has his first game in charge of Wigan at Everton today.

And he said: "Am I favourite to get the sack? It doesn't bother me or interest me.

"I'm not going to have it all over the Press tomorrow that he has had a few bob on himself! Hold on, though, I've got a tenner here...

"The bookmakers have a job to do and I will have great pleasure in showing they are wrong. I have great belief in my ability."

Hutchings, who has made six new signings since replacing Paul Jewell, added: "I have spoken to Paul quite a lot. He is having a break in Canada.

"The other day he said he felt the squad is stronger in depth from last year. We have to prove him right."