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Bob curses bad timing
Roberto Martinez
ROBERTO Martinez has said he feels aggrieved by the scheduling of Latics crucial game with Tottenham Hotspur tonight, as the club try to snap up any last-minute transfer deals.
Latics face in-form Spurs at White Hart Lane on the evening the transfer window shuts, leaving the Latics manager in the unenviable position of trying to prepare the team as well as deal with any matters arising from the frantic last few hours before the transfer deadline passes.
The Spaniard says he will battle through the circumstances, but emphasises he was unhappy at the scheduling of this match, which he feels could have been better organised.
He said: “Going down to London will not be a massive problem, as I don’t believe in leaving everything for the last day of the transfer window, but it’s a bit of a strange situation.
“Facing the deadline while trying to prepare properly for the game, I don’t think it’s as good as it has been in previous windows.
“I don’t feel it’s massively significant as I’m happy with the squad we’ve got, so the priority will always be the three points at White Hart Lane in what is such an important game for both sides.
“Nothing counts more than getting those points.”
Martinez has praised his opponents for the way they have continued to pick up points this season. Manager Harry Redknapp has made headlines for his tax evasion trial in recent days, but has won many admirers for his work at Spurs this term.
Martinez said: “They’ve got a fantastic squad and they’ve really focused. I think Harry has a very strong relationship with the players.
“When the manager is not there, as a player you want to repay him and the way to do that is by performing on the pitch. That’s what Spurs have been doing, and they’ve been at the same high level of performance.”
Spurs’ front men Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe are doubtful for tonight’s game after picking up hamstring injuries in Friday night’s FA Cup win over Watford.
Gareth Bale (thigh) and Ledley King (knee) were set to be assessed yesterday, but Spurs are hopeful that both will be fit.
Sandro has returned to light training following his calf injury but is unlikely to be risked, while William Gallas (also calf) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are unavailable.
Meanwhile, Spurs midfielder Tom Carroll has joined Derby on loan until the end of the season.
Carroll, 19, made his debut against Hearts in the Europa League earlier this season and has since gone on to make six more first-team appearances.
Derby boss Nigel Clough is a big admirer of the diminutive playmaker, who earned a call up to the England Under-21 squad in November.
Clough said: “He’s a highly regarded young player and we’ve monitored his progress for a considerable amount of time.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
thepieshavegone
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:15 AMBrazilianTic. Spot on. Empty stadium. I was going to buy away tickets for myself and four children but not now. Pitiful performance. Players in wrong positions. Manager to blame but Whelan will not sack him. Laughing stock - yes LAUGHING STOCK. Watch your revenue shrink next season DW. Do what other other clubs have done and get rid of RM. But I think it's far too late............
BrazilianTic
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:29 AMAfter nearly 25 years of watching wigan i can safely say i have never seen a worse manager than bobby, every game he plays people in wrong postion, his tactics are wrong, the players he has bought are terrible and will struggle in the championship. Finally after 7 years of selling our best players and buying 2nd rate players who i wouldnt pick to play in the soccerdome our time in the top league is over. Next season new manger who knows what to do and hopefully we can bounce striaght back, WHELAN there is a reason why the stadium is empty all the time, try asking the supporters.
greenfingers
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:35 AMPreparing for championship!,,,,,',,,,
thepieshavegone
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 08:43 PMStuart T. More of the same to come. Gomez is dreadful. Stam cannot mark. Rest of the defence all over the place. Hugo on the bench. Little so-called manager on the touchline with his arms folded. Could be another 9-1 bashing. But, RM is happy with the squad. A laughing stock again!!!!
The Black Pearl
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 08:42 PMTick tock Bob!
Stuart T
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 08:39 PMEurosport - HALF TIME. That is that for the first 45 minutes and Spurs have been utterly dominant. They lead Wigan 2-0 at the break, but it could be four or five. 9-1 anyone?
Stuart T
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 07:13 PMI have a feeling we will be one player lighter at the end of tonight! He is not in the team.
Stuart T
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 06:20 PMHe s not coming - Adrian Mariappa, SNUBBED US.
sewage
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 04:10 PMAgree, lets hope so , although Whelans answer of "i dont know why Andy Johnson turned us down" isnt the most convincing comment
Stuart T
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 03:05 PMFingers crossed we might be getting Adrian Mariappa?
sewage
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 02:10 PM"I don’t feel it’s massively significant as I’m happy with the squad we’ve got, so the priority will always be the three points at White Hart Lane in what is such an important game for both sides. " i hope this isnt Whelan and Martinez way of justifying that no one else is coming - -how on gods earth can he be happy with that squad. Yet more rubbish preparing us for when he gets something else wrong, sooner or later these constant mind games the managment are playing with the fans
Wiganjay
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:22 AMClearly a copied story from another site. Why would Wigan fasn being interested in a spurs player going on loan? Lazy Journalism
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