MARTINEZ INDIFFERENT TO CUP LOSS
Posted on January 16, 2012 in WAFC
Roberto Martinez, the Spanish manager of English Premier League club Wigan Athletic is not worried about his side’s exit from the FA Cup, the most prestigious and oldest Cup competition in the world, at the hands of lowly Swindon Town.
Speaking to the press after his side’s defeat to Paulo di Canio and his men at the County Ground, Martinez reiterated that Cup competitions have upsets like this where the heavyweights like Barcelona and Manchester United do lose at lower League sides, which adds to the flavour of the competition. He believes that this is what adds to the ‘romance’ of the FA Cup.
He further went on to add that his prime target is survival in the English Premier League which his side only managed to achieve on the last day of last season with a 1-0 away win at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke City.
Martinez stated that to a club like Wigan Athletic, surviving to fight another season in the English Premier League is like winning the FA Cup and the day of the Cup final is the day that they reach the magic points’ barrier of 40 in the League. Wigan have struggled in recent weeks, with their in-play Premier League betting odds dropping as each match progresses, especially if they concede early.
However, Martinez did not want to underestimate the value of the FA Cup and added that it was a fantastic competition and also congratulated Paulo di Canio and Swindon Town for their victory.
Wigan have not been having the best of seasons this time around and although they are playing very good and open football, they are still languishing in the bottom three, several points away from safety. Martinez believes that now Wigan Athletic has been knocked out of both Cup competitions, they can concentrate fully on surviving to fight another season.
MARTINEZ DISTANCES TEAM FROM LOSS
Posted on January 4, 2012
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has said that fans should not be reading too much into the 5-0 defeat his club suffered at the hands of Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Wigan Athletic were heading into the match on a good run of form having drawn against both Chelsea and Liverpool in the past two matches. However, facing second placed Manchester United was always going to be a difficult proposition. Still, they were expecting to take at least something out of the match, although they have not done so in the Premier League since coming up from the Championship.
As expected, Manchester United ripped apart Wigan Athletic, which also helped them move level on points with leaders Manchester City. Manchester City could only draw with West Brom and this helped Manchester United is a great opportunity to go ahead in the table on New Year’s Day.
Wigan Athletic were extremely poor throughout the match and Dimitar Berbatov helped himself to a hat-trick. Dimitar Berbatov has rarely featured for Manchester United this season, with Sir Alex Ferguson preferring to use either Hernandez or Wayne Rooney as the main strikers. Even youngster Danny Welbeck has been able to get a number of appearances.
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has dismissed the speculation that this 5-0 defeat would be the start of another bad run for Wigan.
“It has been a really good period for us. The performance against Liverpool was outstanding, and against Chelsea, we were better than them in every department apart from the scoreline. I am not going to take the United game into consideration, other than the fact we have shown great character,” said the Spaniard. As a result of their recent good form, Wigan stay extremely close to safety, with only two points separating them from 17th placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
GOMEZ NOT SCARED OF BIG CLUBS
Posted on January 3, 2012 in WAFC
Wigan Athletic midfielder Jordi Gomez has said that he does not worry about playing top opposition at the DW Stadium or elsewhere. The Spanish midfielder was the star for Wigan Athletic on Saturday when his late goal earned Wigan a point against Chelsea.
Even though he wasn’t particularly impressive during the other areas of the match, the vital goal scored just before the final whistle proved to be a great relief for Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez, helping Wigan stay in touch with the relegation strugglers. The match against Chelsea was the start of a fixture list that will also see Wigan athletic face Liverpool and Manchester United in the upcoming days.
Whilst playing against big teams does nothing to help their Premiership betting odds, according to Gomez Wigan are no longer scared of playing big teams.
Gomez firmly believes that Wigan can get something out of the match against Liverpool on Wednesday night. They need the points in order to stay in touch with the other teams just above them.
Wigan athletic used a different tactic against Chelsea by fielding only three at the back instead of four defenders. It seemed to have worked in Wigan’s favour, as they not only stifled Chelsea in the midfield, but also went forward with real pace as well.
“No-one can deny we deserved at least a point against Chelsea, and the challenge now is to pick up at least the same result on Wednesday night. We are not thinking about the games we are playing next week or next month – all we are focused on now is Liverpool and we will be trying our best to get another good result,” Jordi Gomez said when asked about his team’s chances at Anfield.
Even though Liverpool have been good this season, they have been struggling at home for results and Jordi Gomez could help Wigan get at least a point. Wigan then face a goalscoring Manchester United team at the DW Stadium, hoping to get some points on the board.
RODALLEGA WILL STAY
Posted on November 29, 2011
Wigan Athletic striker Hugo Rodallega has dismissed the rumours that he is looking for a move away from the Premier League club. Hugo Rodallega has been in poor form all through the season, but his performances in the previous seasons seem to have convinced that suitors that he is indeed the right man.
As a result, a lot speculation has been growing that Hugo Rodallega will be leaving Wigan Athletic in the January transfer window, which is only a few weeks away. However, the striker has himself rejected any such speculations by saying that he is still committed to Wigan Athletic.
Wigan Athletic have been extremely poor in the last few months, with the club suffering defeat after defeat. However, they finally managed to arrest the slide with the 2-1 win over Sunderland. The win was even more important because it was the first time they had come away with all three points away from home.
Many expected Wigan to struggle this season, but they have been more than struggling because they have been simply unable to get any points both at home and away from home. At this stage, the three points away from home will seem nothing more than a miracle for the team, who are one of the favourites to go down this season.
Speaking after the win over Sunderland, Hugo Rodallega said “I can think only about Wigan at the moment. The club wants me to stay, and I am keen to. There is still plenty of time for us to talk about my future. I am focused on saving Wigan. The Premier League is the best league in the world and I came here to triumph, not to fail.”
So far, Hugo Rodallega has scored just one goal in 10 appearances for Wigan this season.
MARTINEZ RUES LOSS
Posted on November 1, 2011
Under-pressure Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was happy with the performance against Fulham, but not with the result.
Whilst the Latics created more chances, and arguably dominated the game, they lost to London side Fulham 2-0, with Dempsey and Dembele netting.
The result leaves Wigan rooted to the bottom of the table, but Martine is keen to focus on the positives.
“The stats tell the story. I’m not disappointed with the performance but with our run, the result becomes even more important.
“It is not time to feel sorry for ourselves. It’s time to try to improve ourselves, try to change the negative dynamic that’s affecting us at the moment.
“I felt we were going to be the next team to score but we were punished while chasing the game. Once we get our first positive result, everything will change.”
MARTINEZ STAYS AT WIGAN
Posted on June 27, 2011
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has decided to stay with the club over the proposed Aston Villa move. Martinez, 37, will sign an improved three-year contract with the Latics instead of the chance to manage Villa.
“Roberto met with his chairman [Dave Whelan] earlier this week and has made the decision to honour his commitment to Wigan,” read a Villa statement.
“Therefore, we have not met Roberto and we have not had the chance to discuss the vacant managerial role with him.”
MARTINEZ CLEARS RODALLEGA RIFT RUMOURS
Posted on May 30, 2011
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has sent out a clear message to fans of the club insisting that there is no rift with striker Hugo Rodallega after he reacted badly to being substituted against Chelsea.
The Colombian frontman was replaced just after the hour mark in the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge and was visibly angry at being taken off.
“It is the natural reaction. He wants to be on the pitch and help the team, and that is something that shows real passion and real responsibility,” Martinez told Sky Sports News.
KIRKLAND’S DEAL FAILS
Posted on April 4, 2011
Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland’s proposed move to Cardiff City has stumbled after talks break down between the parties.
The Bluebirds were keen to add a quality goalkeeper to the ranks with David Marshall requireing surgery, youngster Jordan Santiago out with a finger injury and regular number 1 struggling with a groin strain.
Initial contact was rejected by Kirkland, but a deal appeared close this weekend with Dave Jones even confirming the move as Kirkland searched for first team opportunities.
Now however, Kirkland will remain at Wigan and we will remain short of options although recent reports suggest that Tom Heaton will be available to face Ipswich Town this weekend. Merely speculation but it is possible Kirkland only wished to move if he was guaranteed to start, and that was unclear with Dave Jones keen to stick with heaton if passed fit.
WIGAN CONFIDENT
Posted on March 3, 2011
Wigan defender Steve Gohouri has told they have more confident after their draw with Liverpool. Steve Gohouri equalised for the Latics after a fine strike by Raul Meireles put the hosts 1-0 up and the Ivorian has stated that the character shown by his teammates was an indicator of the positive attitude eminating from Roberto Martinez’s side at the moment.
Speaking to the Wigan Evening Post, the 30-year-old said: “We just never stopped believing that we could get something out of the game.
“We knew we were playing well in the game and we deserved to get our goal.
“We came here with a great deal of confidence after last week’s win over Blackburn, and that gave us a real spring in our step.
WIGNAN DRAW IN THE FA CUP
Posted on January 30, 2011
Wigan could manage only a draw in the FA Cup fourth-round as they faced a Bolton side at the Reebok Stadium, Trotters goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made several fines saves, denying Jordi Gomez’s long-range efforts and Callum McManaman’s fine shot late on.
Bolton’s Johan Elmander fired over early in the match, while Martin Petrov went close with a low drive.
And in the final 10 minutes, Bolton debutant David Wheater shot just wide.
The Premier League sides, who had played each other in two relatively non-descript league matches earlier in the season, put on a thriller in from of the 14,950 .
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