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ROBERTO Martinez has backed stand-in skipper Chris Kirkland to bounce back from his Blackpool blip.
Kirkland took full responsibility for two of the Seasiders’s four goals in a very frank post-match interview following Saturday’s shambles.
The goalkeeper was especially gutted having led the side out for the big season-opener in the absence of new club captain Gary Caldwell.
Martinez, however, has shot down suggestions the armband may have been a factor in Kirkland’s under-par performance. And the Wigan boss remains 100 per cent behind his number one.
“The captaincy was not a factor – not at all,” Martinez told the Evening Post. “The club captain is Gary Caldwell, who is injured, and the players themselves chose three other representatives – Chris, Steve Gohouri and Emmerson Boyce.
“Chris was captain on Saturday but I don’t think the armband had anything to do with our performance as a team – particularly in the first half.”
And, in a show of faith for the former Liverpool man, Martinez added: “Chris is experienced enough to bounce back. That is absolutely not a concern for me.”
Kirkland himself strenously denied the captaincy had played a part in him being placed under added pressure during the game.
And when asked had it put him off being skipper in future, Kirkland insisted: “No – of course I want to keep it.
“It’s a massive honour and massive privilege, and I thank the club for allowing me to do it.”
Meanwhile, Jason Scotland’s move to Ipswich has been put on ice.
The deal with the Tractor Boys remains in place, but Martinez is loathe to sanction his departure without having a replacement lined up.
Chelsea’s Franco di Santo is rumoured to be a loan target but, with the two sides meeting on Saturday, he would be unable to make his debut until the trip to Spurs on Saturday week in any case. The situation is further complicated with the injury sustained by Victor Moses at the weekend, with Martinez anxiously waiting to hear the extent of the damage.
With the future of Charles N’Zogbia also unclear, Martinez needs bodies on deck at the moment as he tries to formulate a game-plan to repeat last season’s win over the Blues.
I really think Al-Habsi should start on Saturday against Chelseki
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