Whelan willing to swap historic FA Cup final spot for Premier League survival at Wigan



Wigan owner Dave Whelan would swap an FA Cup final place for Premier League survival.

Whelan's stance is a clear indication of where Wigan's priorities lie in the run-in.

The Latics will be red-hot favourites to reach their first ever final when they face Championship side Millwall in the competition's semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday.

Up for the Cup: Dave Whelan's Wigan will face Millwall for a place in the Wembley showpiece

Same again: Dave Whelan, pictured here celebrating with boss Roberto Martinez after sealing their Premier League survival in 2011, wants history to repeat itself

However, the Latics appear to have bigger fish to fry.

They are again battling to stave off relegation from the Premier League and are currently in the bottom three, level on points with Sunderland, but with a worse goal difference.

With English football's top-flight set to receive a financial boost thanks to the new £3billion television deal for next season, Whelan knows remaining at the top of the tree is crucial.

Even the carrot of a summer holiday in Barbados has been offered to his players as a reward for staying up rather than achieving FA Cup glory.

Crucial goal: Shaun Maloney earned Wigan a precious point at relegation rivals QPR on Sunday

Towering figure: Millwall captain Danny Shittu netted the quarter-final winner at Blackburn

'Staying up is more important than winning the semi-final,' Whelan told the Evening Standard.

'No question about that. I have promised the players a holiday in Barbados - not for winning the FA Cup but for staying up.'

Whelan famously broke his leg when playing for Blackburn in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolves.



He is now set to lead the team out onto the Wembley pitch at the weekend.

But the 76-year-old is saddened at witnessing a decline in the world's oldest cup competition in recent times.



The ever increasing Premier League revenue that has placed that competition at the forefront of clubs' minds has played a key role in the shift, according to Whelan.



He added: 'You wouldn't imagine a change like that could happen.



'When I was growing up and playing, winning the FA Cup was something absolutely unbelievable.



'It (the decline) has happened. You get so much money out of the Premier League, it's just phenomenal.



'And what these clubs are going to get next season is unbelievable.

'It makes this season's relegation battle all the more desperate.'

Starter: Callum McManaman is set to feature at Wembley







