Mick McCarthy's side have collected only one point from a possible 21 since picking up seven from the opening three games of the campaign. Wigan have fared even worse with seven successive defeats and Stearman knows the importance of Wolves adding to their misery in the lunchtime meeting. He said: "In the past, when we've had our backs against the wall and people might have thought we were down and out, we've managed to pick up wins. "We did it against the big teams a lot last season and now we need to do it against a team around us in the table on Sunday. "Obviously we never want to be in that backs-to-the-wall situation. "But the way we have responded over the last two years shows the character, the belief and the confidence in our dressing room that we can perform at this level. We've got to show that again." Stearman also is aware of Wolves needing to improve their poor record against Latics in a battle of two sides who both ensured survival on the final day of last season. He said: "In previous years we've not performed too well against Wigan, certainly at home. "We've lost the last few games against them and that's something we need to rectify especially being at home. "They have managed to maintain their Premier League status for a long time now which is all credit to them, particularly without some of the investment that other clubs have. "Like us they managed to stay up on the last day of last season and are trying to improve but hopefully we can come out on top against them this time." Stearman feels Wolves can take confidence from the way they defended last weekend against free-scoring Manchester City, despite eventually losing 3-1 after a goalless first half. He said: "Generally we were pleased at how we defended against one of the best teams in the world at the moment and we've got to do that again. "We are confident in ourselves as a defensive unit. "We think we can shut teams out and we had a few clean sheets at the start of the season. "It's about working from a strong base and looking to get another clean sheet on the board this weekend. "The first goal for us is so vitally important and, if we can get it and keep things tight, then obviously that will be ideal."
