Wigan star Boyce vows to hammer United title dreams in pitch battle

Manchester United will be crowned champions if they match or better Chelsea's result at home to Bolton.

But Wigan, who have surprised many under manager Steve Bruce by climbing out of the relegation zone to secure their Premier League status for another season, are ready to play the role of party poopers with the aid of the awkward surface at the JJB Stadium.

Arsenal dropped a costly two points there only two months ago after their passing game faltered on the pitch, which is regarded as the worst in the top flight. And it has played a major role in Wigan's fight for survival as their home record is the joint 10th best in the division.

The pitch has improved greatly in recent weeks, thanks mainly to the good weather, and it now has a heavy covering of grass on it, but Boyce believes it will still be a major factor.

He said: "People don't like coming to our ground and playing against us.

"It will help against Manchester United. On a perfect pitch all their top players will have a field day, but they will have difficulty passing and running with the ball on ours, even though they are top-class players. They won't be able to play the game they're used to, it's nowhere near the standard of Old Trafford.

"We can get in their faces, test their touches and it will help us. A lot of people have moaned about it this season, but that's usually because we have either got a good result or given them a tough game.

"We have got good results against the big teams because we love being the underdogs and there will be no pressure on us on Sunday, it's all on them."

Wigan got a rare taste of the limelight three weeks ago when they secured a shock 1-1 draw at Chelsea in front of the television cameras to put a dent in Avram Grant's title hopes.

Yet that will be nothing compared to Sunday, where millions of people around the world will see the Premier League decided.

Boyce says the Wigan players want to match the West Ham team of 1995 and stop Sir Alex Ferguson's side from winning the League on the final day.

He added: "We would like to emulate West Ham. People still talk about that team that cost Manchester United the title 13 years ago and I'd love people to remember us in 13 years' time. We are loving the publicity. Everyone will be watching us across the world and it shows how far we've come as a club. We are going to enjoy being in the limelight.

"People are talking about Wigan right now and that's a good thing. The fact we can have a say in the title race has given us extra motivation. I and the rest of the players want to show people what we can do against Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez and if we cost them the title everyone will talk about us. We are safe in the table. They are the ones with everything to lose."

Manager Steve Bruce is also at the centre of attention because of his ties to United from his playing days and his subsequent close relationship with Ferguson, his former manager.

But Boyce has reassured Chelsea that Bruce is fully focused on getting the three points and has already come up with a plan to stop his old club.

Boyce said: "The manager has been very vocal in training and has told us he wants us to win the game.

"He has already set up the tactics and has organised us so we will be very hard to beat. He deserves to be in the running for manager of the season with the way he's come in mid-season and kept us up. When he took over we were second from bottom, one point above Derby, and now we have won many points and are safe."

Team-mate Kevin Kilbane also promised a tough afternoon for United. He said: "We owe our supporters a great finish after a difficult season and that is what we'll be aiming to do.

"The last thing we will be thinking about its taking it easy and just having fun.

"We have a duty to ourselves and our fans and we will be trying everything to make sure we finish the season on a high - and what could be better than beating Manchester United to do so?"

Emile Heskey may still be public enemy No1 in west London for his late equaliser three weeks ago, but Boyce says he could still become Chelsea's hero.

If it wasn't for his goal, the Blueswould be leading by two points with the destiny in their own hands, but Boyce insists Heskey is determined to repeat his magic against Manchester United.

"He wants to show he is still a top striker and wants to get his England place back," he said.

"Emile won't have a better chance to prove a point than impressing against Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

"He has shown it for Wigan, but he wants to show the England manager that he should be part of his set-up. If he has a good game he will answer his critics."