article_snippet.sent: Make no mistake, these have been tough times for Steve McClaren.
article_snippet.sent: Top of the tree back on February 24, the Derby manager is now only looking at promotion via the play-offs, labelling an automatic spot a ‘long shot’.
article_snippet.sent: ’ Wigan, by contrast, are staring at relegation and a first season in the third tier since 2003.
article_snippet.sent: Chairman David Sharpe didn’t know where to look at full-time and their need two wins from trips to Fulham and Millwall - on Friday and next Tuesday respectively - to stand any chance of survival.
article_snippet.sent: But, frankly, that is the least of Wigan’s worries.
article_snippet.sent: They face an almighty task to escape relegation, made all the harder when Martin linked up with Russell to score.
article_snippet.sent: Wigan did have Wigan chances.
highlights_snippet.sent: Derby had failed to win any of their previous seven games .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Wigan now eight points from safety with just five games left .