Latics boss can’t wait to see Santo claws
ROBERTO Martinez has admitted that he is excited at the prospect of unleashing new striker Franco Di Santo on opposition defences this season.
Latics pulled off a major coup in snapping up Argentinian starlet Di Santo on a three-year deal from Premier League champions Chelsea on transfer deadline day last week.
Now the Latics boss can’t wait to see the 21-year-old former Blackburn Rovers loanee make a big impact on the biggest of stages.
Martinez said: “For us to bring Franco in on an permanent basis is an important statement.
“He is someone that we want to develop but someone that we need to bring that competition up front and I think he can develop into a top, top striker in the Premier League and in world football.
“I think he can play for Argentina and is someone we have very high hopes for.
“He had to leave Chelsea just to progress his career.
“We’re so excited about him as a human being and as a player.
“Technically he’s a player that is probably better than his physique, very powerful in the last third and good movement.
“He’s played 4-3-3 with Chelsea and I think he’s ready.
“The last year he had at Blackburn was as good a settling period as you’re going to get.”
Latics host Sunderland on Saturday, and Martinez is determined that his side maintain their resurgence following the terrific win at Tottenham last time out.
The Spaniard added: “Anyone can have a disappointing situation.
“Not just in football but in life - it’s about how you react to it.
“After getting beat 9-1 last year, then beating a very special Spurs side 1-0 – especially after the results they’ve had in the last 18 games at home – I think it speaks volumes of the dressing room and the football club at home.
“You need to know how to improve as a team and that is the only way you can correct things.
“That’s the most important ingredient when you understand there is something to be corrected and you do that.”
FORMER midfielder Paul Scharner believes Latics will be relegated from the top flight at the end of this season.
The 30-year-old Austrian, who is now with West Brom having been released by Martinez in the summer, said: “I fear the squad left does not have enough experience this time.”
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
