As previously stated, there are times when we should just put a foot through the ball. We are so predictable in “messing around at the back” that opponents know that effective pressing will yield results sooner or later.

BUT: In defence of Martinez, how many of those defenders would play if we had a fully fit squad?

I believe that injuries have done for us this season. With a little more nous on when to clear a ball and a shorter injury list, I think a top ten finish would have been easily achievable. In sport however there is a fine margin between success and failure.

PS It doesn’t take much for some fans to turn does it? I honestly believe that the players are giving their all and were devastated to lose last night. The booing would have worked wonders for morale ahead of probably the three most important matches in our history.

What a nasty piece of work you are Loudmouth, there is obviously little point in arguing the case. I would have little difficulty in explaining the situation regarding my brother’s apprenticeship but I wouldn’t waste my breath on such a narrow minded bigot as yourself who thinks he knows the answer before the question is asked.

PS I know you regard yourself as something of a scholar but when you write:

“The only insulting allegation I made was agianst you, and I maintain that allegation – YOU ARE A LIAR”

Is not only insulting but grammatically incorrect “YOU ARE A LIAR” is not an allegation but a statement of fact. You don’t know me or the circumstances and It shows you to be exactly what you accuse Margaret Thatcher of being – a self-righteous bully-boy. The Unions of the seventies were a disgrace to the memory of the Tolpuddle Martyrs (to whom we all owe so much) so don’t even try to align the two.

PS I don’t know why I allowed myself to be involved in this pathetic argument but rest assured this is my last word on the subject

Many years ago, unknown to my father, my elder brother obtained an apprenticeship as an electrician in a local colliery. When my father found out he said nothing but the next day, when my brother was about to set off for work, he gave him a letter to hand to his boss. It was his notice!! He told him that no son of his would “go down the mine”.

Note: My father was a miner, as was his father and grandfather but he would have been glad to see the mines closed for good. Thanks to his guidance I obtained a job with a better life expectancy, as did my own son. Coal mines belonged to a bygone time and Margaret Thatcher was right to close them even if her motives were dubious.

You can’t legislate for a goal like that. Ninety-nine times out of 100 away fans would have been jeering with their arms aloft as the ball hit row Z and the home fans would have been cursing him for attempting the impossible.

It turned out to be a wonder goal which didn’t give the defence a chance, just like the Aston Villa strike. It’s called the law of averages and the only exception to that rule is Messi.

Phil, I can’t speak for the “Lightside” and can only enlighten you as to my own viewpoint and why you wind me up so much. I have long since learned that supporting MY home-town team means having to suffer days when the pain can be excruciatingly bad. Black days when we appear to have no purpose, direction, or future and days when things are so bad that you wonder whether it is worth the effort.

We all feel the same pain and disappointment as you do when things go wrong but suffer in silence knowing that the manager, team and owner tried their best but came up short. There is no point singling out players and screaming at them how garbage they are when they have given their all and know better than we do that they could have played better. It winds me up to hear vitriolic criticism of Roberto’s tactics when it is quite clear that the critic thinks that tactics are little white mints in a clear plastic box.

We are fortunate to have an owner like Dave Whelan and a Manager like Roberto Martinez who really care about Wigan and it’s football club. We have had more success than we could ever have dreamed of and it hurts me deeply to hear the garbage espoused by some “fans” when WE are having a bad time of it.

I was always taught that you could judge a man’s character by how he reacts to defeat and not how he celebrates victories. If you can’t accept the pain then please forgive me for trying to urinate on your victory celebrations.

If this is being self-righteous then so be it.

This typifies the difference between the lightside and darkside – The pass was an integral part of a peach of a goal. How can anyone see any negatives in it,apart from Fil that is? Is Beausajour your new Jason Scotland Fil or are you staying with Jordi for the long haul?

Please lighten up and at least enjoy the happier times of our season. There have been precious few of them up to now so let’s enjoy them whilst we can.

Don’t fool yourself – what will our crowds be if we go down?

No, it’s not Martinez my friend. It is you and your ilk who have attached yourself to the wrong football club. You belong at Old Trafford with all the other shallow people who have difficulty coping with reality. Reality is about pain and pleasure, if you can’t take the pain then go to Manchester where there is a lot less of it.

Wigan Athletic was built and kept afloat by people who got off their backsides and did something instead of constantly bleating. We will continue to be the least fashionable club in the Premier League for the forseeable future (or as long as we stay there).

In years to come things may be different, and if they are, it will be down to the foundations that are presently being laid by David Whelan and Roberto Martinez.

We are Wigan – get used to it or join the pathetic band-waggoners at Old Trafford.