The former Birmingham City manager 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 1st December. That's what keeps driving me on."