A14963961210422071A - Bruce has European dream for Wigan
Steve Bruce wants Wigan to emulate near neighbours Bolton and Blackburn and clinch a place in Europe during his reign.
The former Birmingham boss is daring to dream despite comments from owner Dave Whelan, who believes the best Wigan can hope to achieve among the elite is a top 10 finish.
Bruce said: "The chairman is an honest man and a realist and getting in the top six would be an unbelievable achievement."
He added: "At Birmingham we were on the verge of doing that but failed to win any of our last eight games and fell away.
"There is always a surprise in the league. Bolton have done it, Blackburn have done it, so why not Wigan.
"We are lying in eighth position in the table if you take into account points taken from December 1. That's what keeps driving me on."
Bruce claims the enduring appeal of the top flight is that the competition keeps throwing up shock results.
He is hoping his team produce one on Sunday against a Manchester United side who are in sight of retaining their title.
Bruce said: "I don't think Kevin Keegan was right in saying the league is boring. Perhaps predictable is the word.
"We used to ridicule Scottish football by saying Celtic and Rangers were the only two teams up there. It is getting that way in the Premier League but the one thing I would say is it is the best spectacle. The beauty of the league is there is always a shock result or two."