Latics close to survival - Bruce

The Latics are five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone after Emile Heskey salvaged a point for the hosts for the second time in six days.

"If we beat Reading, then we're safe, and we can't ask for anything better than that with three games left, so it's all to play for," said Bruce.

Heskey grabbed a 12th-minute equaliser just seven minutes after Dimitar Berbatov had given Spurs a flying start at the JJB Stadium by sidefooting home his 23rd goal of the season.

The result now means Wigan will remain in the top flight for a fourth successive season if they take three points from their home clash with fellow relegation rivals Reading.

"Bolton's result (a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough) has given them a lifeline, of course it has," assessed Bruce. "But the position is we've gone up two places in the table, so it's in our hands."

Spurs striker Berbatov had one of those days when although he scored his side's goal, there were periods when he came across as being indifferent. His agent has further stirred the pot this week by stating his player deserves Champions League football, which Spurs certainly cannot offer next season.

Questioned as to Berbatov's apparent disinterest at this stage of the season, Ramos added: "He has a particular style of play. Every player has their own style, which is not something we can change or set about trying to change. But I have a good relationship with all the players at the club."

In many respects, Spurs mirrored Berbatov as they started superbly, only to fade the longer the game went on.

"We wanted to play at the same lively tempo we started with," added Ramos. "Our first-half performance was magnificent, but after the goals were scored - and theirs in particular - the wind was perhaps taken out of our sails."