Latics hit the boos
Roberto Martinez admitted Latics deserved to be booed off the pitch after crashing out of the FA Cup to lowly Notts County last night.
The home dressing room remained locked for the best part of an hour following the fourth-round replay defeat, after Latics failed to assert their supposed superiority over their League Two opponents.
Again Latics were unable to convert what few chances they created, and they were made to pay when Stephen Hunt headed home a Ben Davies corner and then Gary Caldwell put through his own net in the space of three second-half minutes.
Martinez struggled to find anything in the way of positives from a miserable night.
He told the Evening Post: "You can imagine the feeling in the dressing room after the game, and it is right that we had that feeling of disappointment.
"It is important that everyone understands why it happened.
"We are all frustrated, and the fans had every right to express their frustrations the way they did.
"I understand the reaction of the fans, but I know they understand the togetherness of the club and they will help us to turn the situation around.
"I am just hoping this result will act as a kick up the backside and we will show the right reaction at Sunderland on Saturday."
Latics enjoyed the lion's share of territory and possession, but they were foiled by a mix of profligacy and an inspired display by visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
"We allowed ourselves to get frustrated too easily," Martinez said.
"Notts County were always going to try to work extremely hard and get
bodies behind the ball, but we created enough chances to win the game.
"On nights like this, you need to score the first goal because it changes the face of the game completely. Even though we started the second half well, we couldn't get the first goal and when that happens there is always a risk you will get punished.
"The upset is always on the cards, you know you have so much to lose – and that is what happened."
The one positive to be gleaned is that Latics can now concentrate on
negotiating the final 16 league matches – and work towards securing their top-flight status for a sixth season.
Martinez added: "I still think we are making massive progress as a club.
"I just don't think we are big enough in numbers or ready as a club to try to be successful in two competitions.
"Our priority is very much the Premier League, and we need to focus
all our attentions in that direction.
"I would not like to use that as an excuse as to why we lost, but the FA Cup is not really what our season will be judged on.
"We have got 16 games remaining in the league and our overall aim is to stay in the Premier League."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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