Marcus Bent believes the entire Wigan squad failed to pull their weight under former boss Chris Hutchings.

Hutchings was sacked just over a month ago following a disastrous run of six defeats that saw the Latics plummet into the relegation zone.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has since employed Steve Bruce to keep his club in the Premier League, paying Birmingham £3million in compensation.

Bruce at least managed to stop the rot last Saturday as Wigan held high-flying Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the JJB Stadium in his first game in charge.

But Bent, signed by Hutchings at the end of August on a season- long loan from Charlton, cannot help but feel sorry for a man who lasted just 13 matches in charge.

"I was upset that the previous manager had to go," remarked Bent.

"He was a very down-to-earth guy, a very good coach, and his man-management was very good.

"It was a decision I didn't make, but one I have to live with. Now I have to press on with doing my best for the new manager.

"But in general, we all feel we didn't do enough for Chris.

"There were a few occasions we didn't play well enough at home, and we didn't pick up any points for a run of six games before he left.

"So we take a large part of the blame. We all spoke to him, and I did personally before he left to let him know how we felt.

"There were no hard feelings. He understood why it happened, and now we are just getting on with it."

Bent readily concedes "confidence is starting to return" in the wake of Bruce's arrival and subsequent result against City.

That ended an eight-match losing streak overall, but the Latics remain one off the foot of the table ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with local rivals and fellow strugglers Bolton.

Wigan at least travel the short distance to the Reebok Stadium in a better frame of mind.

Bent added: "The new manager has come in and shown he has confidence in us. He has been good around the camp.

"The ability is certainly there. You look at Kirky (Chris Kirkland) at the back, Kev Kilbane, Titus Bramble, Mario (Melchiot), (Jason) Koumas and Emile (Heskey). I don't need to go on.

"I know names don't mean anything. It's all about ability and how hard you are working and where you are in the league, but the talent we have in this team just needs to be brought out.

"He (Bruce) just has to get it out of us, and confidence and hard work will bring it out.

"We've certainly been working hard since he arrived, and hopefully it told a little in the game on Saturday.

"I felt we maybe should have got a little more out of it, but the confidence is also starting to return.

"Everyone is shooting, wanting to put in a little more, put in an extra yard, and hopefully we can show that on Sunday, get three points and start moving up the table."

Heskey should be fit despite limping out of the game with City early in the second half with a hamstring strain.

However, skipper Melchiot starts a three-match ban following his dismissal at the weekend for a challenge on Stephen Ireland.