Source: Team_Talk
Hull will put up a fight - Martinez
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez insists he is expecting a tough game against Hull on Monday, even if the visitors' have already been relegated.[LNB] Hull are effectively down already as they are six points behind West Ham with just two games left and a vastly inferior goal difference.[LNB]And their fate will officially be sealed on Sunday if the Hammers avoid defeat at Fulham.[LNB]The Tigers are also facing financial problems but Martinez believes the players' uncertain future means they will not make for easy opponents.[LNB]"From the outside you never really know what is going on at other football clubs and facing relegation is always a tough period," Martinez said.[LNB]"It is something you don't want to see anyone going through, but in football, and especially in the Premier League, you don't get any easy games.[LNB]"There is still a remote possibility that Hull could stay in the Premier League, but individually every player is going to have a point to prove to make sure that they are going to be part of the future of the club.[LNB]"Therefore, on Monday we are going to see a team that needs to perform for many different reasons.[LNB]"So I don't expect an easy game at all. I think it will be a real focused performance from Hull and we will have to be ready."[LNB]Wigan's Barclays Premier League status was preserved last weekend, although only thanks to Burnley's defeat to Liverpool on Sunday after the Latics had gone down 3-2 at West Ham a day earlier.[LNB]Martinez will have felt grateful for the helping hand, but denied his overriding feeling was one of relief.[LNB]"I see it as a huge achievement," the Spaniard said.[LNB]"Obviously we have got six points still to play for and we are ready to approach those games in the right manner, but to be able to stay in the Premier League and achieve our aim after the season we have had is a huge compliment to the players and to the football club.[LNB]"I wouldn't say it is a relief, but there is a feeling of happiness around the football club."[LNB]Martinez revealed that his planning for next season is already well under way and that he was hoping to make signings both before and after the World Cup.[LNB]"I think there are two different markets," he said.[LNB]"There are players we have been following for a long time that you should try to get before the World Cup, but then there are those where you should wait because their valuation now could be too high, or the opposite.[LNB]"I think it is important that we have enough patience to wait until the World Cup for two or three positions, but there are also two or three we should sign before."[LNB]Martinez will also have to decide whether to keep on several players whose deals at the club come to an end in the summer, including Steven Gohouri, Scott Sinclair and Marcelo Moreno.[LNB]"At the moment I am just focusing on the next two games, but we are going to go into every individual's situation and we will assess it," Martinez said.[LNB]"First and foremost I want to sit down with every player and see how they feel, and with all the parties involved we will have to make sure that we find the right conclusion."[LNB]Meanwhile, Martinez has confirmed that he hopes to meet with the Football Association next month to explain comments he made about referee Stuart Attwell, for which he faces a charge of improper conduct.[LNB]"We are waiting on the FA," said Martinez, who criticised Attwell's decision to send off Gary Caldwell in his side's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in March.[LNB]"It is something now that is more about personal pride than anything else. I am going to go down to London to see the FA, explain myself and explain my comments.[LNB]"But I stand with what I said, even now when I am more cool about the situation, I'm even a bit more hurt about what happened.[LNB]"So I'll make sure I go down to London and clarify the situation."
