Agree with your comparison but Pete also makes a fair point. It has been discussed on this board before as to which club coud be directly compared to Latics from a perspective of proximity to larger teams and catchment area etc.
For me the nearest I can think of is Walsall - smaller club - fiercely loyal hardcore of 4000 - within a few miles of a number of bigger clubs (Villa, Birmingham, West Brom, Wolves)