DOUGIE Freedman insists he has never once considered Wanderers to be in a relegation battle.

The Scot saw his side climb 12 points clear of the bottom three with victory over Blackpool on Tuesday night, and it now looks highly unlikely the Whites will be dragged into danger.

Wanderers have not occupied a space in the relegation zone since last meeting Blackpool in October, at which time they had still to win a single league game in 10 attempts.

But many supporters have been anxiously looking over their shoulders as the club struggled to pull completely clear of the pack at the foot of the table.

“I’ve never really felt we were in danger,” Freedman said.

“I was disappointed with how the start of the season went, the first 12 games, but from there I haven’t really been looking anywhere but up the way, I haven’t looked down.

“We are a good football team on our day but our problem has been consistency.”

Freedman welcomes Wigan to the Reebok on Saturday aiming to record a second derby win in five days, and was given some encouragement by the fact Uwe Rosler’s side slipped to their first defeat in nine games at QPR on Tuesday night.

“I’m really looking forward to these derby matches because where I’ve played before you only get one a season but here they seem to be cropping up every week,” Freedman said.

“It gives that little bit of spice and edge to the game.”