Martinez: No need to panic (add your comments)
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez admitted yesterday's debacle at Tottenham has presented him with the toughest test of his managerial career.
The 9-1 hammering at White Hart Lane was the club's heaviest-ever defeat, and leaves Latics with the worst goal difference in the top flight and just three points clear of the drop zone.
After trailing only 1-0 at the interval, the visitors capitulated in the second half, as England star Jermain Defoe became only the third man – after Andy Cole and Alan Shearer – in Premier League history to score five goals in a game.
And Martinez readily admitted the size of the task ahead of him to turn things round, with Steve Bruce's Sunderland due at the DW Stadium this weekend.
"In a way, it is the toughest day of my managerial career."
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Martinez said. "Not because of the scoreline, but because of the sheer simplicity of the goals we conceded.
"That was something that is not like us at all, and we're all really disappointed. It is quite evident where we need to improve and get better, and we'll try and make sure we do that.
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"We have to feel hurt and down about it, but also understand the reasons why it happened. Once we do that, we'll be able to move on.
"It was a freak result, and a tough one for us to take, but it will be a real test for everyone now.
"But, when we get through it, I'm sure we'll be a stronger football club for it."
With Defoe and fellow England internationals Aaron Lennon and Peter Crouch on top form, Latics had no answer to the home side's non-stop attacking.
And the Spaniard could not hide his disappointment at how his men had defended, both individually and as a unit.
"The way we defended was appalling at times," he added.
"It was down to key moments, certain situations, that you just need to stop.
"For the first three or four goals our defending was really poor and we weren't ourselves at all – which is unacceptable.
"They had a few outstanding players who performed really well, Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Defoe in particular, and they looked as though they were going to score from every opportunity.
"Defoe was brilliant in his finishing, but it's not just about that. We were very nave on the day, and we are better than that.
"Again we have only ourselves to blame. The way we defended was unacceptable, and that's why we got punished."
The one bright spot was the return – albeit as an unused substitute – of Maynor Figueroa after a month out with a knee injury.
"Maynor was ready to play some part but, obviously with the way things were going, it would have been a stupid risk to have put him on," Martinez said.
"Hopefully the next seven days will give him extra time to fully recover, and that is probably the only positive to come out of the weekend.
"We know that when we play well, we can beat anyone. And that is a very, very good sign.
"However, when things don't go our way, we fold, and we don't react well to disappointment.
"It's all part of our development – and it's up to us to bounce back."
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Weather for Wigan
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 3 mph
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