Martinez – Reds win forgotten

Roberto Martinez insists there is no danger of Wigan dwelling on Monday’s historic win over Liverpool, or the fall out from it ahead of their latest crunch clash in the Premier League this weekend.

The Latics make the fleeting journey across Lancashire to take on relegation rivals and derby foes Bolton this Saturday and self-belief will be sky-high after securing their first ever win over the Reds earlier in the week.

The DW success has lifted Wigan four points clear of the drop-zone but with standings so tight at the wrong end of the table, Martinez’s side could be sucked back into the mire should they rest on their laurels at the Reebok.

But the Spanish tactician, whose side have won just once in their last nine ventures away from home, has assured his side will enter the derby date confident but not complacent.
Level-headed

“We are quite a level-headed group, and we are already looking ahead to the Bolton game,” said the former Swansea boss, in his inaugural season as a manager in England’s top division.

“The players know that if they do not repeat the performance from Monday night, then all that good work will have been for nothing.”

Games between Wigan and Bolton are always keenly-contested affairs, albeit neither team have been able to attain a significant contribution in the goals column in the Lancashire derby.

Just two goals have been yielded in this fixture the last four times the pair have met and its two years since the last time the net bulged when Amr Zaki’s scored the winner from the penalty spot for Wigan.

But despite the stakes – which sees Bolton just a point and a position ahead of their local rivals – and the lack of goals including the recent 0-0 draw between the two sides at the DW Stadium, Martinez expects the clash to be an entertaining encounter.

Out to win

“Saturday’s game will be completely different from Monday,” he added. “Neither of the sides will be going out for the draw – both will be going out to win the game.

“It will be a typical local derby, very tense, and could go down to small details.

“But we have played enough games of this nature and we’ll be ready for the challenge.”

Martinez was also keen not to become embroiled in the ‘war of words’ taking place between Dave Whelan and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez following Monday’s game.

Benitez told the Wigan chairman to mind his own business after Whelan claimed the Merseysiders were currently ‘in a mess’ – and Martinez plans to do just that.

“Our chairman is the reason we are in the Premier League, and he is a passionate, passionate man,” he added.

“Sometimes things can be taken out of context, and a long conversation can produce one or two sensational headlines.

“Mr Whelan is a football man who is the only chairman who has played and been a chairman in all four divisions, so if anyone deserves an opinion it is him.

“But I have got too much work on my plate to be in a position to comment about other clubs. It is important we focus on ourselves now and try to achieve our own targets.”