Martinez: Ten points from safety
Roberto Martinez believes Latics are only 10 points away from safety.
Latics travel to Bolton tomorrow with 28 points on the board from their 28 games played.
The Trotters, despite a 4-0 midweek spanking at Sunderland are a single point better off.
But, with 10 games of the campaign remaining, the Latics boss believes they are well on course to securing top-flight football for a sixth successive year.
Martinez said: "I think 38 points is clearly going to mean safety this season – and it could be even less than that.
"It's hard to tell because you've got eight teams trying to avoid those three places.
"You've got so many games between the sides who are involved so it's difficult to predict.
"Of course, it could easily change because the amount of games between the sides down there will dictate that.
"But I think it's going to be one of the lowest totals needed over the last few years."
Tomorrow's clash at the Reebok obviously presents both sides with a massive opportunity to boost to their survival chances.
And, with Wolves also facing Burnley this weekend, Martinez acknowledges games between sides at the bottom are real six-pointers.
"They are," he said. "At this stage of the season it's not just the points you get but the points you stop the opposition from getting.
"We've got huge cup finals left, and those are the games against the teams around us in the table.
"In total, we have 10 games left, and it's important we carry on with the standards we set on Monday – it's the best way to buy belief and confidence.
"It's important we're focussed on Bolton and don't have any hangover from Liverpool."
Supporters from both sides will be hoping for goals after last month's clash between the two at the DW – hampered by an awful
surface – ended goalless.
Martinez, though, felt his side edged that encounter, and hopes for more of the same tomorrow.
"Despite the score, I thought it was an exciting game," he added.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
