Wigan Athletic - Martinez Looks Ahead to Fulham

Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez is hopeful that his Latics side can learn from what he terms 'a painful lesson` following the defeat at Portsmouth last week as he prepares his side for Sundays game with fellow mid-tablers Fulham.

Martinez is pleased to be back home after two weeks out on the road and feels the atmosphere generated by the fans at the DW Stadium can motivate the players to get the right result and says that the chemistry is special.

Home form will be essential to Latics success this season, a point not lost on the boss and he says that they feel that they can beat anyone on home turf, Martinez says: 'We have looked very strong for the most part at home this season, and we need to make sure we carry on showing that.

'We need to show the right attitude and the right focus to get a good result.

'We also need to make sure we learn from the painful lesson of last week.'

'It will be a big boost for us to be back at the DW, because every time we have played at home this season we have managed to generate a real chemistry with the fans.

'That gives us real belief and a feeling that we can beat anyone, and we have shown that many times so far.

'Home matches are a great opportunity to get together as a club, especially when you are looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance.

'You need the warmth of the fans to help you get back to your best - but we know Fulham will be a difficult proposition.'

Although last weekends defeat was a blow the manner of the defeat will trouble the Latics boss more than the loss of points, Martinez is striving for his players to achieve high levels of performances in all their games and at Portsmouth the team fell way short of this.

Martinez is hoping that the Latics can accept responsibility as a team for last week and grow together to become a better side for it, he continues: 'Last Saturday was a painful lesson, but it is something that will hopefully allow us to carry on progressing.

'When we don't manage to find that consistency, it is because we are facing a completely different kind of game or approach to a game, and that's where the learning curve comes in.

'We have showed how well we can perform during our 11 games so far, and we have shown special phases of football and done many good things.

'This is another case of us having to accept responsibility for a really bad performance, and make sure we are a better side for it.'

Focusing on Fulham the Latics boss says that they are a very good side who have had some excellent results lately, especially last week when they beat Liverpool 3-1 at Craven Cottage and he acknowledges that it will be a difficult game, he concluded: 'It will be tough, but these are the kind of challenges we need and are looking forward to.

'Fulham have picked up European experience this season, they are on a very good run, and they have had fantastic results against Liverpool and Manchester City recently."




Fans Forum Ticket Competition

Vital Latics have two tickets on offer for the up and coming Wigan Athletic fans forum to be held at the DW Stadium in the DW Fitness Lounge located in the South Stand on Tuesday 17th November 7pm kick-off.

The fans forum will give supporters the opportunity to meet and question manager Roberto Martinez; also there is a hotpot supper included, now that does make the mouth water.

Full details of the event are on the official site and can be viewed by clicking here

The event has always proved very popular in the past so if you want to be the lucky winner of two tickets, supplied by Wigan Athletic, then answer the following question and enter via link provided, closing date 10th November 5 pm.

Who is Roberto`s assistant manager:
a) Graeme Jones
b) Steve Bruce
c) Arsene Wenger

To enter click here










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