A dire 4-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers in August goes down as one of the more painful memories of Freedman’s 14 months at the club.
But it is one he is determined to ease as local bragging rights go up for grabs again at the DW Stadium this Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to a derby and we let our fans down in the last one (at Blackburn),” he told The Bolton News.
“In my short management career I’ve been very fortunate not to lose many derby games but we’re still pretty much hurting from that one.
“This gives us the opportunity to play against Wigan at their place and do what we do best.”
Freedman has lost just one of eight all-Lancashire affairs since taking charge, winning three, and has taken a point from trips to Burnley and Blackpool so far this season.
This weekend’s clash would have seen Freedman come up against his predecessor Owen Coyle before his compatriot was sacked at the start of last week following an alarming slump in form.
Now, former Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler will be in the opposition dugout for his first home game in charge of the Latics. It mirrors the situation faced a fortnight ago when Wanderers travelled to the Riverside Stadium to play Middlesbrough for Aitor Karanka’s first match in front of his own fans.
But unlike the Spaniard on that occasion, Rosler is not so much of an unknown quantity to Freedman, who kept a close eye on his progress in League One with Brentford.
Freedman added: “I know a lot (about Uwe Rosler). I watched Brentford a few times last season. “Wigan have obviously been very impressed with him, they have done their business very quickly and we will wait and see how he does.
“How much can he influence them in a week? I am not too sure, but we will have to wait and see what we do.”